Apologies for my discracefully long absence, which has been caused by stag dos, snowboarding holidays and the toasting of my 30th birthday. Yes, it’s been a tough few weeks.
Mirroring my comeback of sorts, last weekend saw Tiger Woods win his first PGA tour title for two years with his five-shot victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational event. On the eve of the year’s first major – the US Masters which Woods has won on four previous occasions – this was a significant statement from golf’s most famous player showing that he is finally returning to form. And despite the ascent of both Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald in his absence from the game’s summit, the Tiger remains golfs biggest draw because of his skill, power, athleticism, natural talent and insatiable will to win.
Before we roll out the red carpet and back slaps, I was one of those comepletely disgusted at the way Woods conducted himself in the wake of revelations that came to light about his private life back in 2009. Besides the affairs, the episode resembled a slow-motion car crash of an AA meeting gone wrong at times, where Woods showed scant genuine humility, but more the arrogance that’s reportedly upset some opponents and playing partners on the tour. If being cuaght with his pants down multiple times wasn’t enough, the sight of Woods assuming the role of politician in PR damage limitation mode – attacking the media and calling press conferences where no questions were taken – destroyed his image forever. All of which combined means he will never be held in the same affection again.
Yet despite the tarnishing of his image, the admiration of his prowess with a golf club remains because of the heights we know he is capable of achieving. Now Rory McILroy has assumed his mantle as the sport’s latest prodigy, what remains to be seen is if Tiger Woods can scale those heights again, re-claim his throne and fulfill his quest to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles. Next month’s US Masters at Augusta will provide the first act and with the script seemingly being written by Hollywood – redemeption, Old Master vs. New Kid On The Block, self-assured American vs. affable Nothern Irishman – I for one can’t wait to see if this potential great rivalry fulfills its potential.
iheartsport 