While you were busy focusing on March Madness, some guy that goes by the name Tiger decided to let loose with a roar. Taking the lead into a final round is not usually much to hang your hat on, but with Tiger it is a jumping off point. The downfall of Mr. Woods has been well documented, so there is no need to rehash it. However, does it truly matter that he has put three good rounds together? Not really.
Tiger, like most great athletes, measure themselves on wins and those alone. Tiger has teased us before. The 2011 Australian Open where he finished third comes to mind. Tiger used to resemble a lion, king over the PGA jungle. Since 2009 his lion’s mane diminished to a mere buzz cut. No longer winning tournaments just by showing up. The fact that a third round lead for him is a big story tells us all we need to know about just how far Eldrick has fallen. Are we to get excited now for a lead with a player who was a fire hydrant away from already passing Jack Nicklaus' major championship record? I think not.
Instead, the world is waiting on the Tiger that dominates majors. The man that turned Augusta into his own coming out party. The athlete that won a major on one leg. Winning a tournament that lies in his former backyard and that he has won six previous times is nice and a start. The game of golf does not need a Tiger that is the same as Ernie Els, Bubba Watson, and Charlie Wi. The game of golf needs the Tiger Woods that showed up and captivated a nation. The Woods that was big enough to have EA make a game with his likeness.
Does that Woods still exist? Remains to be seen. One things for sure though, winning at Bay Hill will not give us that answer. Winning April 5th – April 8th in Augusta, GA would be the only answer we need.
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