The imminent return (yes, once again) of Tiger Woods to competitive golf has gained massive traction, but what does it all mean, asks WADE PRETORIUS.
Love him or hate him, there are only two options when it comes to Tiger Woods – dare I say one of the best-ever sportsmen (not just golfers) who ever lived. There is no middle ground, no compromise and no letting up. His critics are as relentless as the Chambers Bay greens were bad, and those who love him will never be silenced in their bid to have him recognised as the best there ever was.
Pity then, that he’ll need to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors to have any shot at that. He needs four to tie – remember his last Major came at the US Open in 2008 – and five to pass Nicklaus. How many 40-somethings have won five Majors? None. Jack won three, and so did Ben Hogan. But then again, Woods broke many records and barriers during his illustrious career on the course.
What must be made clear is that the Tiger who tees it up at the Hero World Challenge is not the Tiger who dominated the golf from the time he burst on to the scene in 1996, won his first Major at The Masters in 1997 and went on to win 13 more. He can’t be. Why? The countless knee and back surgeries have taken their toll, and the impact of his problems beyond the greens cannot be underestimated or swept under the carpet. He is no longer invincible – his short game is nowhere near what it once was, while the vulnerabilities off the tee are no doubt still lingering.
The ‘post-Woods era’ of Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy etc (and I really could go on…) means no one, not even Tiger, will ever simply turn up and win it all. And what he knows is that there is no sustained comeback for him after this one – this is his last shot at chasing down Jack. If he’s rushed his recovery, then that’s it.
What Tiger is still, is a massive drawcard.
Everything he does – good or bad – is news. Huge news.
He still is massively competitive and would love nothing more than to beat the current crop, which he no doubt considers as pretenders to his throne. The past five years have not been pretty, but in there have been some flashes of brilliance – the unmakeable chip, the unthinkable fade or the jaw-dropping putt from nowhere.
No player has done more to bring golf into the professional era than Woods – almost everyone in the golf industry (yes, his reach was that far) owes some level of gratitude to him and his wonders.
What lies ahead? No one, not even Woods himself, knows. But we’ve all been privileged to see him play, and the chance to watch him do it again is too good to pass up.
Haters are gleefully rubbing their hands at his next demise. At his next grimace in pain and his next break from the game.
Those who hold the opposite view, dream of one last (or maybe more) Major triumph. One more roar and one more charge down the stretch in his Sunday red.
Why do we journalists keep on covering every little move? Because whatever camp you find yourself in, he remains a top seller. He is everything, from the undeniable genius, to the villain, to proven winner. He’s been there and done that and wants to do it all over again.
Will he? My personal view is probably not. But I’ll be like the rest of you – lovers and haters – in front of the TV well into the early hours of the morning watching and waiting to find out just what this all means when it comes to him and the little white ball once again.
