I thought about writing about this on Friday, but I decided to wait one more day. We had seen so many spectacular and awe-inspiring rounds on a Saturday from this guy that I had to give him one more chance to prove himself. He had won 7 times on the Firestone Course, so if he was going to turn it around in one day, this had to be the day. And alas, it was anything but spectacular as Tiger Woods stumbled to yet another over-par round of 75. This may actually be rock bottom...
I mentioned it in the last couple of days on the afternoon show, but I’ll make the point again. We’re used to seeing Tiger Woods go through a PGA Tour season by dominating any regular event he enters and being in contention when it comes to the majors. He would be good for at least one major, 10-12 tournament wins worldwide and in the process, destroying the competition as he solidifies his #1 player in the world status and his place in golf history.
We’re not used to seeing Tiger Woods reduced to being a middle-of-the-pack player that fights just to shoot under par. Tiger making the cut used to be a slam-dunk, but it’s not anymore. Tiger Woods being shown on TV since he’s in contention used to be a given, but it’s not anymore. It’s a stunning example of how fortunes can turn at the drop of a hat.
A lot of people will look at his fall from grace and say to themselves, “He got what was coming to him...” or “That’s karma coming back to kick you in the rear...”. How can you disagree with those people? The way in which he acted off the course caused his marriage to be left in shambles, his children to be now raised in a broken home and his family and friends to be ridiculed and embarrassed because of his selfish choices.
When it first happened, I was like everyone else and just so negative about Tiger. I was such a big fan and felt so encouraged to cheer for him because he was someone that seemed so pure of natural ability and work ethic that he deserved all the trophies, money and fame that he earned through winning.
But in the last few weeks, I’ve gone at looking at him with disdain as a villain to looking at him with sadness as someone who has lost so much in life, not just the golf course. It’s so clear to everyone that the laser-like focus that he once had has been lost. The drive to the best is still there, but the golf game isn’t around to let him follow the path that he has in his mind.
Everyone may be debating whether he’s hit rock bottom as of yet, but I can assure you that Tiger isn’t thinking about that. At this point, he just looking for a big enough pile of rocks to try and hide under.