So the wait is almost over and finally, after 18 long months, Tiger Woods has scheduled his return to competitive action at the Safeway Open this month, the first event of the 2017 US PGA Tour season. It begs the question, ‘does the world of golf still need Tiger Woods?’ If it does I think we are in serious trouble, quite frankly, but need is a big word In this context. Will the golfing world be enhanced by his presence once again then, of course, you would have to say ‘Yes.’
The void left by Tiger has been filled not by one new superstar but by a new big five of McIlroy, Day, Speith, Johnson and Stenson. In many ways, watching these guys go up against each other has been totally absorbing. The days of Tiger winning Majors is quite some time ago now. In those big four events he has been a bit-part player to some degree for five years now, occasionally threatening at the Masters Tournament but eventually falling short of the standards he once set.
Tiger Performances
In turn, all of the above mentioned guys have put in a performance worthy of Tiger Woods at his best. Just remember Speith and his amazing season last year taking The Masters and the US Open; or Dustin Johnson finally getting that first Major under his belt with a final round performance at Oakmont this year that tore the field apart.
Jason Day set new records when he won at Whistling Straits last year and McIlroy just about lapped the field when he won his first US Open at Congresional, then just last week he reminded us all that he can indeed be regarded as the best in the world again with two wins in three weeks to win his first FedExCup title. All that and then Stenson played what Jack Nicklaus described as ‘the best final round ever to win a Major’ at Royal Troon earlier this year.
So no one can argue that the game since Tiger left the field of play has been below his standards. It certainly hasn’t. It’s been right up there with his dominant years in the early 2000s. Think a bit deeper, too, and so many memorable moments come to mind: Justin Rose taking down Mickleson to win the US Open, and, for that matter, going toe to toe with Henrik Stenson before finally winning the Olympic golf gold medal in Rio.
Remember Adam Scott and his celebrations in winning his first Major championship at Augusta on the tenth green – all of these moments have taken centre stage since Tiger ceased to be the best player in the world. Who would swap any of those magical moments for another Tiger victory, not many I would say.
However, and it’s a big however, whilst you might not swap any of those occasions, having Tiger Woods go about his business at full throttle is still something to behold. Nobody has been able to win tournaments in the style that Tiger used to. The big five quite frankly often play better than he did, especially off of the tee. Yet none can match his ability to scramble his way to victory.
That’s what made Tiger so incredible to watch: his brute force, his will to win, his putting. It was all so exciting to watch, and whilst the others have been able to match Tiger’s best golf, they haven’t quite been able to match that level of excitement, and frankly they never will.
So, I for one, am looking forward to Tiger making his way back to the game that he graced for two decades. His story is an amazing tale both for the ups and the well documented downs, of course.
Those episodes, let’s call them, seemed to knock something out of him. It made him more vulnerable, less intimidating and, frankly, he has never quite been the same golfer ever since his off-course life caught up with him.
One thing is for sure, though. Tiger did the game of golf a great service. For 15 years, he transcended the sport. He was the first person ever to do so. He made golf popular, he brought with him millions of dollars’ worth of sponsorships that all the pros have taken a share of, and he dedicated his life to the game. It would be a sad end to such an incredible career should his body not manage to give him one last crack at Jack Nicklaus’s records, and I wouldn’t put that past him.
Eighteen months out of the game is a long, long time, but it’s also long enough to awaken the Tiger within, long enough to appreciate what a great life he created for himself. The thrill of trying to win tournaments that matter once again will get his juices flowing in no time.
In summation, the world of golf doesn’t need Tiger Woods anymore, but we would quite like to have him back, thank you very much. He adds a storyline to any event he plays, and just you watch, when he is next in contention to win a Major I bet you it’s the most exciting finale we have witnessed for a while.
Rest in Peace Mr Palmer 1929 -2016
Let’s hope he finds some joy on the course once again. An angry, snarling Tiger we can do without; a happy, smiling, competitive Tiger will be a joy to watch. For 20 years Tiger has focused solely on winning Majors and breaking records, let’s hope that in this final third of his career he can also focus on his legacy, how he will be remembered, and the sad news of the passing of Arnold Palmer should bring that to the forefront if his mind.
Mr. Palmer, as he was addressed by anyone of my generation, was the first global golf star, and his popularity endured until his final day. What did he do? He played with a swagger, determination and style, but he added to that the ability to find time for everyone, to be kind to his adoring fans and to be humble, too.
Playing at his tournament at Bay Hill was one of the thrills of my career, being asked by Mr. Palmer to remove my cap for lunch was a stark reminder about the traditions of the game, and civilised society at large. It was a little life lesson I will treasure.
Sadly, another one of the good guys has left us, but he made his mark like no other golfer has done. It was a life well lived, I would say. You can’t ask for more than that.
