Opinion: Woods At Augusta

The fact that Tiger became the new number at Bay Hill - one of his favorite layouts, where he lifted the winner’s cup a record-breaking eight times now - may come to most of us as an “unnoticeable feat”. But make no mistake about it; the fact that he regained the number one position at Palmer’s beloved Invitational surely must have done more to Tiger’s confidence than body language can ever tell. Having Palmer waiting at the final hole on Monday, also must have meant more to Woods than anyone could ever tell. Tiger looked a very happy man.

Watching him on the telly, Tiger’s demeanor gave away a man that possibly may have found his way back to a more enjoyable life. The Bay Hill win, I think, said something about his happiness as a human being, but most of all, about the incredible golfer he is. It also showed anyone with a bit of knowledge about golf, where Tiger is in his swing change and hard-fought “come back” to live in the fast lane of golf.

Moreover, having found “new love” in a relationship with a lady that knows a thing or two about winning may well make Tiger a happier man, on and off the course. And indirectly, this state of mind may well place Tiger at the top of the list for many weeks, months and years to come.

To realize what caliber golfer Woods is, here are some simple facts:

October 2010 saw Lee Westwood take over the crown from the man that was officially crowned the world’s best golfer on June 12, 2005. Two hundred and eighty one (281) weeks - and thus a whopping five years and four months later - Woods supremacy had finally ended.

He wasn’t beaten by a better golfer though. Indirectly, he became a victim of the pressure that resulted from his “off the course” behavior. It truly inflicted unimaginable damage upon his marriage, his state of mind and (thus indirectly) on his career. Eventually, Tiger couldn’t withstand the pressure of having the entire world ”breathing down his neck”.

Westwood, by the way, held the crown for 22 weeks. Then it was Martin Kaymer’s turn (8 weeks), Luke Donald (56 weeks) and finally Rory Mcllroy, who held the crown for 39 weeks. In succession, they all enjoyed the spotlight of being the best golfer in the world. To put things in perspective; Woods, on and off, and until this week of the 77^th Masters, enjoyed a number one ranking of 626 (accumulated) weeks.

If ever anyone will unseat Woods’ incredible record of being the “numero uno” for such an incredibly long time remains to be seen. What’s sure, however, is that no one ever will reach the top position going through the same amount of setbacks that, both socially and physically, created a battered “state of mind” the way it did with Tiger.

Furthermore, to win one PGA event in a year would mean the world to any golfer that plays any tour and that takes playing golf for a living serious. To put things in perspective again, this year alone, until the day that the Masters kicked off, and at the advanced age of 37, Tiger won three PGA events, amassing a handsome US$3.787.600 in the process and bringing his total wins worldwide to 77, equaling Sam Snead who, by the way, was 43 years old to do same.

I’m not superstitious, but it is not without significance that this week Tiger enters the 77^th Masters with 77 career wins to his name. Don’t be surprised if the Masters brings his 78^th win and yet another green jacket.

With 14 Majors to his name, no one else but Tiger understands what pressure “being favorite” brings to his fragile recovery from major and personal setbacks. If you were to ask Tiger what he thinks about his role as a favorite this week, he would probably say; “sure, it’s nice to be in this position, but there are still four gruesome days of golf ahead of us”. “I will take this week one day at the time”.

This Masters week, we will probably see the “new” Tiger emerge. A much more matured man from the boy-hood days in 1997, when I was glued to the telly and saw him win his first Masters as a rookie and leaving the field a whopping 12 strokes behind in unsurpassed fashion.

This week too, we may see a new Tiger, who has taken to fatherhood the same way a young kid golfer has taken to golf and who hits every golf ball with a “Tiger-like” career in mind. Driven and with a passion and a seriousness that only the true great can achieve and endure.

Many may wonder if Tiger will ever surpass Nicklaus’ record of eighteen Majors. I personally don’t doubt that he will. And having sat up for five nights to watch the Bay Hill event until the wee small hours of the Tuesday morning, I believe I know why I think he will.

Golf is a “mind game” and it all plays out between the ears. Physical injuries are there to overcome, but a “state of mind”, however, is something that no one conquers in a nick of time.

With his new found love next to him – and a lady who may well assists him in his clear duties as a father to his two kids - life is now smiling back at him, and that, my friends, in Tiger’s case, may well be the best remedy for winning golf tournaments.

I am looking forward to many sleepless hours during the early mornings from Friday the 12^th till Monday the 14^th of April, Jakarta time, when I will be glued again to the telly, watching Tiger taking to Augusta’s fairways and greens, as well as taking his next step to (possibly) a full recovery.

If he wins, I will be jumping for joy. If he doesn’t, then I know I will not have to wait too long for him to claim his 78^th PGA win and his 15^th Major. And many will follow in a further attempt of breaking Jack Nicklaus’ awesome record of 18 Majors.

Go get them Tiger!