Tiger. He's recognized worldwide by one name. He's stood at the top of professional golf rankings for years. And, at long last, he’s
back.
Following Tiger Woods’ fall from grace during the
hyper-publicized revelation of his marital infidelity to former wife Elin
Nordegren, he saw a sharp decline in his performance during the PGA tour. He
was unable to notch a single tour victory in both 2009 and 2010, as the world
witnessed golf’s former golden boy slice routine fairway shots and miss putt
after putt after putt. Though he rebounded slightly in 2012 by winning three
tour events, golf analysts and fans alike questioned whether or not Woods could
recover from the scandal that not only tore apart his family but also rocked
his professional career.
 |
| Woods releasing a statement admitting to extramarital relations shortly after the public learned of his cheating scandal in late 2009. |
However, though Tiger may have taken a bit of a
hiatus, it seems as though he is back to his winning ways in 2013. Woods began
the year by winning the Farmers Insurance Open in January, marking the seventh
time he had won the event. In March, he won the WGC-Cadillac Championship, also
for a seventh time. Two weeks later, Woods claimed his third victory by winning
the Arnold Palmer Invitational for a record-tying eighth time. That win would
eventually catapult Woods to the top of the world rankings for the first time
in years.
With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Tiger’s
suggested return to glory, he still has yet to end a drought that has plagued
him since 2008: winning a major. That losing streak could come to an end this weekend
as The 2013 Masters Tournament fast approaches. If Woods were to win The
Masters, he would achieve his 15th major win, placing him three wins
behind the all-time major leader Jack Nicklaus.
 |
| Jack Nicklaus poses with Tiger Woods after Woods won the Memorial Tournament in 2012. |
To say the least, this year’s Masters is shaping up
to be one of the most anticipated events Augusta National has seen in recent
years. Whether or not you’ve turned your back on Tiger because of his cheating
scandal, persisted as a stalwart supporter, or simply remained indifferent to
his antics, there is no denying the fanfare that surrounds this year’s hunt for
the green jacket.
Also playing on golf’s biggest stage are Rory
McIlroy, the young star who some call the second coming of Tiger Woods, and
Phil Mickelson, one of the most accomplished golfers currently on the tour.
Those three superstars alone would make for an entertaining competition, but
combine their presence with golfers like Steve Stricker, Lee Westwood, and Bubba
Watson, who executed an incredible recovery shot from the woods on the
10th hole en route to winning last year’s Masters, and this tournament is sure to deliver.
 |
| Bubba Watson in his green jacket shortly after winning The 2012 Masters |
Even without Tiger Woods on the scene, The Masters
would, without a doubt, still draw the immense following it always has. Augusta National is the crown jewel of professional golf. Players would still
compete, fans would still watch, and one man would eventually don the heralded
green jacket.
But there’s just something about the name Tiger
Woods. Though now it carries the stigma of being associated with lying,
unfaithfulness, and immorality, it also stands for a decorated champion.
I don’t mean to imply that he should be forgiven, and that we as a fan base
should turn a blind eye and focus on his performance on the course. Rather, I
mean to stress that one of the most successful competitors of all time is on
the verge of regaining his composure and chasing one of the most sought-after
records in all of sports. That, in and of itself, makes The Masters worth watching
whether you root for him or not (I’m personally in Phil Mickelson’s camp). It’s
comparable to tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal squaring off at Wimbledon or Magic
Johnson and Larry Bird going at it in the NBA Finals in a classic Lakers v.
Celtics matchup. When the absolute very best players in the world compete at
the highest level, you’re cheating yourself by not paying attention to it.
 |
| Woods practicing for The 2013 Masters Tournament |
I don’t know if Tiger Woods will win The 2013
Masters. But I know that when I tune in this weekend, I’ll be treated some of
the most exciting and competitive play that golf has to offer. And if, just if, Tiger manages to secure a fifth
green jacket and his first major since 2008, I want to be there to see it.
