Starting from a tree crash, Tiger Woods finds it hard to look beyond trees.
August 9th 2010
It’s been a long tumultous journey for a long reigning golf icon who didn’t only set records with his historical performance but who raised the bar with his technical prowess. Tiger propelled the sport to new horizons, raising billions of dollars for sponsors who disowned him during his emotionally turbulent times.
At 11:15 a.m. his day at Firestone Country Club was already over, it is this place where he essentially holds the mortgage after winning a PGA Tour-record seven times in yesteryears. The top contenders will still make rounds from now seven hours or so.
It has been a thorough defeat for Tiger falling from grace on every front. Marital, financial, emotional, and now in the course as well, it all started with a tree crash and seems like he can’t see well beyond the tree in the course as well. He spent the week clanging shots into towering oaks to finish the Bridgestone Invitational in a career-worst 78th place, one slim spot out of dead last.
Tiger claimed his tempo in the previous two events, and was heading back full throttle at Firestone. With a brilliant set record winning past four starts, he failed to break par in any of his four rounds and finished with a 7-over 77. Falling apart his on-course persona and the way he swung his club is all looking at stake. Personal or professional he looks busy mending the fallen pieces apart.
He has got his eyes set on to play in the season’s final major beginning Thursday at Whistling Straits in rural Wisconsin, a tough challenge in a thoroughly windy Lake Michigan. His aura was speaking of his next target geared up with loads of uncertainty from his fans, family and more importantly himself, as he ends a failure at Firestone to reclaim former glory in the north.
His insatiable will, speaks volume of his vigor to make a comeback. He has filled his time with preparation for next as other witness his hail-out.
"No, not tomorrow, I'm out there today," he said of his travel and practice plans. "I could probably play 18 and still watch the guys finish [here]."
"He's obviously going through tough stretches because his personal life has hurt his golf game," said Anthony Kim, who played alongside Woods on Sunday. "It's obviously not where he wants to be. But he's a tough guy. He's the most mentally tough guy you're going to meet, and I think he'll be fine”.
"It's just a matter of time before golf becomes a priority to him again and he starts grinding and he starts winning golf tournaments."
One wonders why golf won’t be his top priority already. That’s the shortest route instead of heading to rehab or counseling. The best statement to win love back from his fans and even marital partner, pick himself up and get going. But it is rather hard to perform when every one else is waiting and wanting you to fail especially when these are the same people who anticipated your success and cheered every swing. But the mood swings have cost Tiger way too much.
"Shooting 18 over par is not fun," he said. "I don't see how it can be fun shooting 18 over, especially since my handicap is supposed to be zero."
"The only thing I can say all week is I was patient, and unfortunately that's not enough," he said.
"I heard someone say he's throwing in the towel," Kim said. "There's just something about golf where you just have to let go to play better sometimes. People can say he threw in the towel, but that's just not the case.
"He's trying to find something. I know he's not driving the ball well. But he's definitely giving it all he's got. It's just not there."
Nobody is sure about Ryder Cup, not media, not fans and more importantly not even himself. Is it about his form or is it a curtain call that people are waiting to hear from the maestro. Sadness remains that once great Tiger Wood is not even an automatic pick from the list of eight. He would definitely look forward to be selected by Corey Pavin.
Four shocking days tumbled down his years of dedication and outrageously gearing entertainment that he provided over a decade. But sure shot Wood wouldn’t set in self-denial and rather blatantly criticized his own form, which says that he knows what he is doing. When asked about selection in Ryder’s he said:
"Not playing like this, definitely not, not playing like this," he said. "I mean, I wouldn't help the team if I'm playing like this. No one would help the team if they're shooting 18 over par."
His admittance, guilty as charged for the calamities he brought on himself. He quickly assured that he knows what’s going on:
"It doesn't surprise me at all, actually," he said.
He is all alone by himself. Only the love of game stays with him. That’s where he started.
"It's been a long year," he said. "It's been a long year."
Tiger’s recovery will be the recovery of the sports popularity; his emergence won’t be shy of the gigantic drama that will follow his victory, back on path of freedom-to rule the course.
Tags: Tiger Wood
