Tiger Woods has just completed a tremendous career comeback. In the sporting world, we love a good comeback. Like Rocky Balboa, Tiger looked finished. he was looking older, he wasn't hitting the ball as far, he was duffing chips. People thought quietly that it was time for Tiger to call it a day; others said it more vociferously and I dare say he believed it himself for a while.
This weekend, he proved the critics wrong, and proved to himself that he can still mix it with the young guns. He can stick it to Dusty Johnson, Rory McIlroy, to Justin Rose or Thomas. Tiger is back. He held his nerve to win the Tour Championship and very nearly won the $10 million bonus for the winning the Fed Ex cup, falling just short in 2nd to Justin Rose, who very nearly let it slip on the last few holes today.
It's all about Tiger today
That is enough about Mr. Rose though. For me, today is all about Tiger Woods. Just over a year ago Tiger dropped out of the top 1000 golfers in the world. He was finished, over the hill, crocked, or so many pundits believed. The resilience he has showed to overcome adversity, and build himself back up again is incredible. Who can forget this mug shot from a little over a year ago, when Tiger had hit rock bottom.
People were disappointed in him, and I guess he was disappointed in himself. I like to think he had a good hard look at himself and the headlines the next day, and said, is this how you want to bow out, and you know what he said?
Hell no!!
So began his road to recovery, and for me today is just a stepping stone. I now believe Tiger has another major or possibly more than one left in him, and we are going to be treated to some sensational majors next year.
Today was all about maintenance golf for Tiger. He had a 3 shot lead coming in, and after birdying the 1st hole, he controlled his lead, and hit fairways, and stitched it to the middle of greens and just did what he had to do, in the end running out 2 shots ahead of Billy Horschel in 2nd.
He did have a scare on the par 3 16th, but just carried the water, and ended up with a bogey 4, but even if he found the water, I still think he'd have gone on to win. he just looked so focused on the job at hand, and did a great job of keeping his emotions in check. he scarcely allowed himself smile until he had a 8 foot putt which he could afford to 3 putt at the end. then, he gave his caddy a smile, and after just missing the birdy putt, he knocked in the par, and threw his hands in the air!
Tiger is back!
There was a lovely moment between Rory and Tiger at the end and the two of them hugged and shared some nice words. Who knows, it may well be Tiger and Rory in the final pairing at Augusta next April. I for one cannot wait to see that. With Tiger back in the fold the excitement levels have just notched up to another level.
It's Good for golf
Tiger can draw the crowds and television viewers like no one else, so roll on next week when the Ryder cup kicks off, and I'll tell you one thing, no one will want to matched against Mr Woods, that's for sure.
Thanks a lot for reading as always.
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