Why Tiger will win The Masters
Once the hype over Tiger’s return dies down, we can get down to the business of golf.
And with that in mind I think he’ll win Sunday to make The Masters this year the most extraordinary sporting event ever.
I love my race horses, and I liken the world number one to a thoroughbred when it comes to competing in major championships. He is to golf what Phar Lap was to racing.
Ever since he set records in 1997 (just a year after he turned pro) for not only the biggest winning margin in Masters history (12 strokes) and the youngest winner ever at age 21, he has been consumed by winning the big titles.
Once he receives the overwhelming support of the Augusta crowd as he heads to the first tee - and it will be the most hair-raising welcome to a sportsman in history - he will be inspired to want this title more than anything.
We will see his first shot telecast around the world but after that, as per Augusta National’s rules, the live broadcast will revert back to action.
An absurd decision on the club’s behalf in the face of the most eagerly anticipated comeback in sporting history. It’s his second shot I will be watching a lot more closely to see if he can keep his emotions in check with so much support as he walks the first fairway. I will be on course and following it all the way.
Here’s some more to think about in the debate over his potential to win: Four green jackets (two behind Jack Nicklaus); the lowest tournament score record in every major; three times a winner of every major alongside Jack, and just four behind the Golden Bears grand total of 18.
All by the age of 34, with knee injuries and a private life meltdown.
He has exorcised many demons in the past few months and his mind will be a lot freer when he heads to the tee on Thursday. I believe just as free as it was when he first teed up in The Masters as a pro in '97 before the rot set in.
And if you think Tiger might be a little rusty heading into this event, cast your mind back to 2008.
Doctors told him to rest for six weeks and not compete in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. He went ahead anyway and competed over five days, eventually winning in a 19-hole play-off on one leg over Rocco Mediate on the Monday.
He was then forced to take eight months off after surgery. It was the greatest example of a golfer pushing through the pain barrier.
He might not have played a competitive round of golf for more than five months but he is physically fit and his ability to put mind over matter is astonishing. I have lost count the amount of times he has won playing “ugly” golf.
And I have watched numerous documentaries on Tiger where during interviews he has described how he just loves the pressure of being the man everyone wants to beat.
He says he wants to be the player under the most pressure, it’s what drives him. Cue this year’s Masters and it’s made for him.
Tiger is really only in control inside the ropes. I spoke with Butch Harmon about the subject not long ago and Butch knows a thing or two about Tiger.
He described how Tiger flicks the switch as he heads to the first tee and nothing else matters, not even a meltdown in his personal life will stand in the way of his desire to win a major.
Just look at how quickly he has returned from his February 19 statement of "I will return to golf someday, I just don’t know what day that will be."
He always knew he was coming back for The Masters. Who was he trying to kid?
if he thinks his life can go back to normal then he IS a sociopath
I plea to the press and all the self-proclaimed moral police - enough of Tiger bashing !! Lets respect the man for the sheer joy he has given us all these years with his incredible golf skills and brilliance. We are fortunate to be born in an age where we get to witness probably the greatest golfer of all time. Why is his personal life so important to us ? Who are we to judge ? I remember the lines of an apt poem in this regard :
" Don't be too harsh with the man who sins /
Don't pelt him with word or stone /
Unless you are sure, yea , doubly sure /
That you have no sins of your own /
For you know perhaps if the Tempter's voice /
Should whisper as softly to you /
As it did to him when he went astray /
It might cause you to stumble too "
So guys take it easy on Tiger - he's apologised , accepted responsibility -- what more do we want ???? Don't you feel for him ? Read the poem again again and tell me different ! He just needs to tell everyone to mind their own business , he's working on redeeming himself -- and carry on with his golf. I so do wish he performs well at the Masters . Maybe too much to ask that he wins - but if he does ! - AHA !!
Tiger Woods. a first-class jerk
Tiger go out there put on the best Mind Game and Kick A@@!!!
One reason why Tiger's infidelity issue never dies down is because people on both sides of the aisle have valid reasons. Though he has led his personal life way out of bounds, he is entitled to tee up again and swing the best he can. And people will watch with bated breath as his ball slices through the air to see where it drops. And just like in life, he has to play the ball the way it lies.
Folks should just leave Tiger alone. His personal problems are between he and his wife. Who else has the right to judge. He's a great golfer and I hope he wins then turns down all the corps that dumped him.
I am so sick of the Tiger Woods hype it's not funny. This is an entirely media driven frenzy, without which I believe few in the public domain would be that interested. So he's back playing golf - so what? He's a golfer, that's what he does. He hasn't become greater by being away from the sport, but there's no reason his skills will have become worse. And blocking out the mental pressure is one of those skills, so why wouldn't he be favorite to win as usual? As for a Tiger victory making this Masters "the most extraordinary sporting event ever.".....are you serious Justin? More extraordinary than Jesse Owens winning gold at the Berlin Olympics; Roger Bannister's sub 4-minute mile; Baseball's shot heard round the world; Usain Bolt's 100-metres World Record? Liverpool beating A.C Milan in the Champions League final; Tiger's first record-setting Masters win? etc, etc,....I think not. Get some perspective, and don't just buy into the hype you helped create.
I don't know, I really don't know. In all honesty, I wouldn't put money on him.
His great achievements under pressure have been a matter of the game of golf. This is something different. This is public scrutiny for his behavior off the course. And that had never been an issue.
In a sense, this will be a new game for Tiger. Let's see how he'll play it...
HEY
WHATEVER TIGER DID IS "NONE OF YOUR BISINESS"
I watch CNN News at lunch time each day. I want to know whats going on in the world that is signicant. Instead CNN bored me and the other twenty odd persons with this Tiger Woods story which could have been handled in two minutes. It may come as shock but most people couldn't care less who this guy sleeps with etc. This is not significant and I, and others, resent you wasting our time.
Please go away tiger
I care less now if he wins or looses, he made a mockery of his home life. His wife should have kicked him out when she had the chance. Let him accept reality, he'll never be fully cured...Gerry!
Hi Tiger, I have these quotes for you :
"The greatest glory in living lies not in ever falling, but in rising every time we fall." (Nelson Mandela)
I first heard Mandela say it when he visited Bill Clinton at the White House to express the support of African leaders during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
JUST LET HIM PLAY GOLF. I was a great fan of his because of the example he sit for kids in the projects and were poor and black .This did not turn out to be true.
Which showed to me we worship these people way too much. I admire him for his ability to master a game that is the toughest in the world and that is all I should admire of any of these people.
He did not just fall from grace, he did all this mess knowing full well what he was doing and consider himself far above it.
HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN MARRIED
PLAY GOLF.
Go Tiger
Tiger has always been my favorite golfer. He actually inspired me to take on the game from free surfing. i was rather hurt and discomforted by his
sleezy behaviour but I will give him to chance and hope that he has changed his ways.. gentlemen don't leave their lovely wives from "boilers"
I certainy wish he wins the the Masters this year ¨
I have my bet on it !!
I can't believe that the press and the public were surprised at Tiger's actions. As with so many famous athletes, he was put on a pedestal as a God or a Superhero. The fact that he bought into all of that hype and believed it is only human.
I believe that the press and the public should bear a great deal of the responsibility for what occurred.
There are 3 reasons why he will win the Masters?
1. w.r.t every thing that has happened so far he should be feeling that he has lost everything
2. His only option is to win to get back every he has lost
3. HE CAN WIN.
I saw the live broadcast last night. the body language was that of a man ready to carry his own cross and perhaps more important get back to what he does best; win majors. I think he will do well. At least a top five finish!
NOT A REMOTE CHANCE OF WINNING.
Golf is the issue in his coming back, not gossips. As long as he play good golf, outside it doesn't matter. Go Tiger.
Am happy to see him again. One thing I belive in life things happened for a reason.
For Tiger he is lucky now before it's too late.
He is young he will be more matured and a good man
Hi Tiger...
You have to pay something for better life...
Please works hard to win your wife's heart (and other ppl) again..
Yes... this need some very dedicated and sacrificeable solutions.
Put it for next 5-10 years... You must prove every people (most importantly your wife) that you can be better man.
And time will tell..
I personally think you can do.
Tiger's a great golfer and what he does off the field is none of our business, plus we all make mistakes I don't no 1 person who hasn't made a mistake in life so it really shouldn't matter to us that Tiger is cheating on his wife, he's brought something new to golf and he'll always be remembered for that.
I know no humanbeing who is infallible. Tiger is human and apt to make mistakes. He obviously learnt from it and is moving on with his life. It is human nature to dwell on people's errors.
Tiger, you were man enough to face the public and say you are sorry. Not many people are capable of that.
Wish you all the best in your golfing career.
Too funny ... all of you on here blurbing out stupidities ... and I would bet if any Private Investigator ran a quick profile on each and every one of you ... Feature Films could probably be made off the first 5 minutes of your miserable lives ... lol...
Get a grip of yourselves ... Come to terms with the reality of this situation ... None of us commenting on this article including myself could be recognized for anything which has influenced but a mere few most within our little circle of friends or family ... And here ya'll are throwing stones non of you can afford to throw ... lol.. too much .
Tiger, it takes a lot of strength to admit ones deep dark faults as you have. I applaud you for this and I know that as long as you stick to your core values and beliefs you will come out of this a better person than ever. I am really pulling for you and hope that come the end of play on Sunday you will own another green jacket.
Go Tiger!! I support you all the way.
"The most extraordinary sporting event ever?" I'll spare the author the references to world sport (ok, just one example: I don't remember a civil war ever being stopped so that people could watch the Masters – reference to the Ivory Coast in '06) and say that the "Miracle on Ice", for example, is way more "extraordinary" than Tiger winning this tournament could ever be.
May,someday before I die, I make a tremendous amount of money, have the opportunity to be in the company of beautiful women, play golf all day and NOT have someone suggest I need to apologize for my good fortune.
GO TIGER GO. YOU ARE THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD. IF NOT FOR YOU THE GAME IS DEAD.
you say once the hype is over then we can get down to the business of golf. But you yourself together with the rest of the media have gone way too far in the constant coverage of Tiger. Stop the constant barrage of
media coverage and hopefully it will all simmer down. We'll then all see a Tiger, not of the old but a humbler and more mature Tiger, roaming the links and showing us what has made him such an icon. He has paid his dues, let him get on with his life. Enough said.
Paul Doumer...all you need to do is get back to your house, enter your bedroom, stand in front of your mirror, and examine yourself...
In all of this be honest to your self...
What difference will it make to any of us if Tiger wins or loses? None whatsoever. What difference did it make to us that Tiger cheated on his wife? None whatsover. The problem with our society is that we're all too ready to live our lives vicariously instead of getting out there and doing it for ourselves. That's why the media continues to fuel nonsense like the Tiger story. They know it sells to people unwilling or unable to fill their own lives. Good luck Tiger. Bad luck Tiger. No luck at all Tiger. Why should anyone else care?
Mr. Woods,
After seeing my sons' lose faith in so many of their heroes, I wanted you to know that I appreciate you. When you told the press that you had gotten away from your core belief system, away from what your parents had taught you, you helped my sons' in their lives more than you will ever know. The lesson you taught, that sometimes we lose our way when we stray from our beliefs, is a strong one. I am sorry you had to go through so much to teach it.
Peace be with you, The Miller Family
Mind over Matter? Try Mind over Mind! He´s not injured this time he is messed up in the membrane....... He will not win and I am willing to put serious money on it.
He has real change to win, however a change not to make the cut is even bigger. It wouldn't suprise anyone if he wan and there are plenty of his suporters, who would like to see him winning.
I just say a player who has the best 4 rounds should win and there are atleast around 20 players who have realistic change to do it.
Good look for everyone including Tiger. He has right to win if he is good enough on the otherhand, it would propably be more fair, if someone else wan.
Mr wood will create a very big impact in making the masters. He is going to make it , if he wish to. Goodluck to all fans
"most extraordinary sporting event ever"
Haha. Football still exists as a sport and 5 billion people follow it, Golf ? haha what stupidity in thought.
Tiger wood is the best
Tiger should get back to Golf where he succeeded best. he has been thry rehab & let us not worry about the sinister side of his life.
gupta
Tiger is an amazing competitor and without doubt one of the greatest players that ever lived, taking into consideration equipment changes etc over the years.
But if you treat someone like God they are sure to act like God and this i feel is one of the problems, i feel along with this and Tigers ultra competetiveness is where his weakness lies when it comes to his general behaviour on and off the course.
We all hit poor shots on the golf course yet our reactions are not like that of a child that has just had their lollipop taken away from them ( including yesterday his natural reaction is to scowl and drop his club when hitting a poor shot ) Come on Tiger don't forget what you have acheived and will achieve in the future...there is no need !!
And Tiger were you forgetting the hand of God yesterday that kept you out of the trees several times and gave you a straight left bouce on the par 5 for an Eagle chance.
You are a talent and a superstar so act like one !!
AND PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE American press/golf fans and Augusta committee there are a whole heap of talented golfers out there,so can we follow them aswell !!!!!!!
I am so sick and tired of the talking heads, thirty somethings giving their oppinion of world events and how people should act. Give me a break. Most of you are not old enough to have an opinion, in many cases you have people that would have a challenge making change.
Who deemed you better than anyone else in the world to chid and trash people. You should be ashamed of yourself. Did not Jesus say " He who is without sin cast the first stone". And no I am not a religious zealot. Tiger is trying to redeem himself and fix his marrage, give him a chance. He is punishing himself more than you can, and hopefully his marrage will survive. I made the same mistake a few years ago, although not with 11 women. I was able to save my marrage and it is better now than ever. ANYONE can make a mistake and redeem themselves. Stop being judge, jury, and executioner, you dont have the experience to back it up.
Many of us will do worse if we have 1/1000 of the fame and wealth Tiger have. Why is none of us criticizing the 11 ladies. It takes 2 to tangle.
I believe that Tiger can win the Masters despite the pressure put on him by the Chairman of Augusta. It was almost as if the Chairman was hoping that his self-righteous sounding statement would frighten Tiger into not playing well. Talking about people's children and grandchildren looking to Tiger as a role model. PLEASE !
I do not for one moment condone what Tiger did (his infidelity), however, the "role model" rubbish that people are putting on him was created by others. He did not ask to be a role model and, even if he did, it would, no doubt be in relation to his golf game, wouldn't it?
I heard a comment a few minutes ago on CNN where one of the presenters said that Elin Woods had not/would not put in an appearance at the Masters. As far as I recall hearing, she has never been to the Masters and so I wonder, were people hoping that she would turn up this time so that they could say it is just a big show? Anything for news, right?
On another note, since when has someone's strength at overcoming adversity become a failing? Would some persons prefer if Tiger had come back to golf wearing sack-cloth and ashes (literally or figuratively)?
By the way, despite all the questions and advice (by all the "commentators") to Elin Woods, she is still married to him, isn't she? And who says they are contemplating divorce?
I am sick of people downgrading Tiger he is what a man! I bet you half the people putting him down have did the same thing and if they were a sports figure and had all those women chasing them they would not turn down the oppurtunity. Not saying what he did was right but he a human. We need to stop thinking otherwise and people need to stop saying he was my childs hero- that's where you are wrong you need to be your childs HERO and put GOD first not a common man!
Tiger bashing is really only important to American media, flexing their ability to make or destroy who they set in their targets. IT IS SO BORING. Please turn the chapter the world has moved on. REALLY.
The moral police folks should look to their religion (if they believe in anything) for what to live by, NOT turn to worshipping talented sports figures. WAKE UP.
Nice try PB! But I think it was really unfair for Kevin to profile you as a 30-something talking head when you is nearly 40!
Today, the best player won, Phil Mickelson. That is the news today. Not Tiger, he is just an also run today.
To those who condemn Tiger Woods for his wrong doings, read my lips: It's not your place to judge him, let alone punish him. If you don't have anything better to do, you may want to look deeply into yourself and learn how good you really are as a person!