Almost 5 months ago news broke out about a car accident involving the world’s number one golfer, Tiger Woods. It was the beginning of a downward spiral for Tiger that has kept him off a golf course ever since.
However, Tiger has recently released an official statement stating that he plans to make his highly anticipated return to golf in next month’s Masters. Such an announcement has left players and analysts alike boggled. Is Tiger making the right decision? Why He Is…
by Sebastian Lena Playing your first tournament of the year is hard enough. But doing it at the year’s first major tournament, let alone with all the personal baggage Tiger is carrying around? That’s just unheard of. But then again, this is Tiger Woods we are talking about.For one, Tiger is no stranger to playing strong after time off. In 2008, Tiger underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and missed the next two months of play. He returned in time for the 2008 US Open. In obvious pain, Tiger put together one of the guttiest performances of his career to capture his 14th major title.Then there’s the whole circus of media that will be closely following Tiger. There isn’t a better golf course then the Augusta National Golf Course that can help keep most of them at bay. With their controlled environment, Tiger wont need to worry about an enormous horde of reporters and cameras following his every move.The biggest factor though will be how Tiger handles these distractions. Tiger is arguably the most focused athlete in the world. When he was a child hitting golf balls in his garage, his father would do everything he could to distract his son. He trained Tiger to be oblivious to everything around him that didn’t involve golf. Whether its fans taunting him mid swing, or hordes of protesters, you can bet Tiger will be ready.Yes, Tiger has set himself up for a difficult weekend. But he’s proven time after time that we shouldn’t hold him to the same standard as other golfers. Be prepared for something special. Why He Isn’t…
by Andrew Otovic The most prodigious, special, and historical weekend in the golfing season is NOT the right time to come back as your first tournament. As great of a golfer as Tiger has been, even he needs a few tournaments to get warmed up and into the swing of things. Tiger has been unbelievable in his golfing career including winning The Masters four times. The only person to win it more is Jack Nicklaus.As great as all of that has been, The Master is NOT the first tournament to come back to. As the first major of the season, the lure that comes with playing at Augusta is just a completely different mind-set. Fellow golfers amp up their games, the average to mediocre golf fans even watch. This is the one weekend that literally all eyes are on each and every golfer. The player that is the most focused and may not be the best golfer in the world winds up receiving a green jacket. The best jacket in the world. Do not be surprised if Woods misses the cut. He simply will not be mentally ready. He is probably physically ready; but having the mindset of playing 18 mind draining holes is something that takes some getting used too. Especially with cameras and media members everywhere. Tiger will get hounded with relationship questions, sex questions, and everything that has nothing to do with golf.Tiger is the greatest golfer to ever roam this earth and that is not changing anytime soon. Just if he was going to come back, The Arnold Palmer Invitation or the Shell Houston Open would have been much better choices just to get his legs and mind under him. I wish Tiger the best but this has ugly written all over it.