Oddsmakers didn't take long to make Tiger Woods the Masters favorite. Even his fellow competitors say they can see him trying on another green jacket.
They're expecting the Tiger of old at Augusta National. That might be because it's the only Tiger they know.
I say he'll be lucky to make the cut.
It's not just the five months he has gone without hitting a shot for real, though that surely can't help. Woods will be rusty, and the Masters is not a place to try to fine-tune your game.
No, it's because the Woods saga is a story that has morphed into a lot more than just the tale of a man who pretended to be something he wasn't. Once one of the most esteemed athletes in the world, he's now a soap opera-like figure whose scripted apology clearly showed he has a lot more left to accomplish in his 12-step rehabilitation program.
He'll go to Augusta still stinging from the pasting he's taken from the tabloids and the late-night shows since crashing his SUV Thanksgiving night. He'll go there vulnerable and, for the first time, unsure what kind of reception he'll get.
The media will want to ask him questions. The fans will want him to act contrite.
Kind of hard to swagger down the fairway and say you're sorry at the same time.
Unfortunately for Woods, it's a new game. He will tee it up on No. 1 the Thursday of the Masters with more questions swirling about him than the first time he played there as an amateur 14 years ago.
At least then we knew the answers. The kid was good and there was something about him that screamed greatness.
The aura grew over the years, as did the collection of green jackets. Now it's shattered for good.
The Woods we once knew seemed to enjoy sending his opponents broken and trembling to the scrap heap almost as much as he enjoyed picking up the winner's check.
The Woods we know now -- wait! We still don't know who he is, do we?
"We have all put him up on such a pedestal, not only in the golf, but we took for granted the personal side, too," golf's No. 2 player Steve Stricker said Wednesday. "We'll have to wait and see what the golf brings when he comes back. This may fire him up even more and make him even stronger."
Hard to imagine that. The first glare may come not when he runs in a long putt to get into contention, but when someone screams out the name of mistress No. 5 in his backswing.
Who is going to fear a guy who spent the past two months confessing every failing of his life to a group of strangers?
The questions about Woods and the Masters used to be fairly simple, mostly about the state of his game. They're still fairly simple, but very different: Will Elin be there?
There likely will come a day when Woods' career is examined in two parts, and they likely will look very different. The first, of course, will be the 14 years since he turned pro -- when he won 14 major championships, made a billion dollars, and was generally acclaimed as the best player to pick up a 7-iron.
The second may be more notable for what Woods couldn't do. He would have had trouble matching his early success even before he crashed his SUV, but it's even more unlikely now that he can dominate as he did in the past.
And that record of 18 major titles by Jack Nicklaus that he so desperately wanted to break? It might now be out of reach, along with the title that goes with it: greatest golfer ever.
So, welcome back to Augusta, Tiger, and don't mind that tabloid helicopter buzzing overhead. Same thing for those guys going through your trash, hoping they'll find a few old phone numbers.
I disagree with the perspective of the AP (who apparently wrote this opinion piece). Egos are difficult to kill, especially when they're developed as a result of accomplishment. The only fans expecting Tiger to be "contrite" will be the fools that thought he was something other than human and bought the bovine feces put out by the media. Once he starts making those "Tiger shots", if he does, the "personal life judgments" will be put on the back burner and the cheering will be as loud as ever. When you're the best golfer to pick up a 7 iron, freaky articles like this one will abound.
Ah, good. I see someone was finally given credit for this wacky opinion.
Tiger grew up in a military family. His father was a Lieutenant Colonel Green Beret. One year Tiger won the Masters here and the NEXT DAY was in Columbia at Ft. Jackson putting on a clinic for soliders and their families. This is one small example of his altruism of giving millions to various good causes. His personal life went public, but let's realize the good this amazing athlete has done also.
Know something else? IF Tiger wins, it will be a miracle comeback and fix EVERYTHING.
As much as I would like to see Tiger in contention at this years Masters, I don't think it will happen. The writer is correct in that the Augusta National is not a place to practice your skills but to showcase them. I would also agree with the Johnny Miller comment that if Tiger was serious about winning this years Masters then he would have entered the Arnold Palmer event coming up soon. How well Tiger does at the Masters and remaining tournaments this year may well define his future in the game.
I never like to make predictions, especially about the future, but if past is prologue, nothing sparks Tiger's competitive spirit and singular focus like a challenge. I don't bet but if I did, I'd put a few bucks on him anyway. Go, Tiger!
He lost control and focus in his personal life and that same mind controls the golf swing. It will be interesting to watch.
From a pure business viewpoint, if Tiger does not make the cut then CBS coverage of this event will suffer mightily on Saturday & Sunday.
Tiger is not the only golfer playing in the Masters.
From a business standpoint, Tiger isn't worried. Aside from a few corporate endorsements, his financial empire is still intact.
Who does this writer think he is? The great moralizer? Sorry, Tim, but Billy and Ryan already have that sewed up at the AC. God, what a ridiculous waste of newspaper space...
been playing golf since 5 yrs. old. it is too difficult to lay out that long and be expected to win. i think tim dahlberg is correct---he will miss the cut. not due at all to personal problems. just the nature of the game.
johnston.cliff--no response from you--repeat it again, i went to about 20 masters. one time i even got bobby jones autograph.
Tim,your article is very foolish,to say the least.You mentioned we put Tiger on a pedestal.That is exactly what happens when you put anyone on a pedestal not named Jesus Christ,what a pathetic soul.Are you guys so miserable that you sit around and guess how a person will perform at any sport.Sad,sad,sad,I am not a fan of golfing,however i am a basketball fanatic.As a fan,i can honestly say i don't care what anyone say's about Michael Jordan,Earvin Johnson,or Larry Bird.Its sad these poor souls will allow losers like yourself to dissuade them.This is the tale of the two T's.Tiger and Tim.100 years from now the world will remember Tiger.Most have already forgotten you.What do you think?It doesn't matter what you think.You will go home and eat your leftover turkey.In the words of the great one,Frank Sinatra"here's to the losers"He was the great one despite his womanizing,and philandering,and did i mention his boozing.I will always be a Sinatra fan,despite his shortcomings.I will also always be a Tiger fan despite his shortcomings regardless to what losers like yourself think.Now what do you think about that,wait a minute,It doesn't matter what you think.
Tim Dahlberg is a sports writer for the Associated Press. He gets paid to write opinion pieces. He believes that Tiger will have a tough time playing in his first tournament. Is he not intitled to an opinion? I see nothing in this article that insinuates that he doesn't like Tiger. He never attacks Tiger. He states his opinion and then explains his reasoning. Personally, I hope he is wrong. Time will tell.
Just the facts,you are an idiot.Once again you have misconstrued the facts.You have a problem with reading comprehension.who cares who this absurd article was written by,who cares who you are.This is an an assassination of character.Augusta is 30 years behind because of people like yourself and the writer.I left Augusta 20 years ago,to move to Atlanta,to be separated from undercover racist such as yourself.I will respect you more if you will acknowledge the truth.Its people like you who looks at himself and immediately forget what he looks like.Quit being an impostor admit who you really are and perhaps people will respect you.Right now you sound like a closet racist,worst case,best case a politically correct buffoon.
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