Tiger 2016
No man has ever done for one sport what Tiger Woods has done for Golf. Fact.
He single handedly turned a multi million dollar industry into a multi-billion dollar industry. An impressive feat for a black kid from Florida.
He might have damaged his popularity through is alleged antics back in 2009 but the fact still remains: Tiger Woods is still the world’s most exciting golfer to watch and to have him back playing this week in the Bahamas is not just great for him but, once again great for golf.
There are 17 other players competing this week but I can guarantee, apart from them and their respective teams, no one really cares about anything other than how Tiger gets on.
He has had a few “returns’ to the tour in the last 16months and has, heartbreakingly had to withdraw through injury or, dare we speculate, through mental issues. Being the world’s most recognisable sportsman was always a mantle Tiger Woods handled well but post sex scandal, divorce, injury and therefore loss of form and confidence, his ability to play the game of golf suffered and his tale of decline became ideal fodder for the lower ends of the world’s media to prey on.
Throughout this period his fans always held the hope that the guy who inspired thousands to go and hit balls down the range on cold, wet, dank and dark February evenings to improve their game would come back better and stronger and, who knows evening pick off those five Major titles he so desperately deserves.
So this week at the Hero World Challenge, Tiger Woods made his much anticipated return to the game that made him the first billion dollar sportsman. I suspect the world of golf saw him on the first tee and through their fingers watched him swing the driver hoping he at least hit the ball. His nerves must have been all over the place. 16months is a long time to be out of the game but with the world’s cynical media dying for him to shoot telephone numbers Tiger calmly stroked one down the middle.
He reached the turn three under par with four birdies and a bogey. A good start. His back nine wasn't as good but he finished his first competitive 18holes in one over par. The world’s media still managed to criticise the poor guy and couldn't help using phrases like, “Too soon for Tiger?”, “Is that it for Woods?” and “Tiger’s woes continue…” in a feeble attempt to continue thwarting the guy that is the reason they have a golf correspondents’ salary at all.
Friday turned up and it was Tiger of old. Shooting a flawless seven under 65, it was like watching him back in 2000 again. Fist pumps and hole outs and 25foot par saves is what the game has been missing for a few years now and whilst the fans out there enjoyed it the cynics’ tide turned and Tiger was, for now, back and normal service was resumed.
Tiger looks relaxed with dozens of photos floating around of him not just sharing a smirk here and there but actually laughing his head off bearing his trademark white gnashers. He looks like he’s focussed but may have actually turned a corner in his life and decided to take the game seriously but enjoy it at the same time. Wise decision. It is a game after all. Something that ought to be fun. Something a lot of amateurs forget let alone professionals.
There’s another day to go at the Hero World Challenge and whilst I hope he shoots another 65 he’s unlikely to catch Hideki Matsuyama who is incredibly 11 shots ahead on 19under par but anything under par will certainly give Tiger Woods the confidence he needs to sign up for the next tournament next year and, who knows we might even see him dressed in red slipping on a green jacket come April. I certainly hope so.
