"Expect anything different?!" These were the words of NBC anchorman, Terry Gannon, calling Tiger Woods' putt at the U.S. Open to tie and force an 18-hole playoff the next day. From there, Tiger went on to win his 14th major and currently, his last major win. As many know, he won the Open on, basically, one-leg. He received surgery the following week and was out for the remainder of the season, returning the following February of '09' at the WGC Match Play Championships. From there on out, Tiger Woods has never been the same golfer and never will be.
Later on that year, in December, Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren, divorced. Affairs with several women made Tiger a not-so-popular man, anymore, to many. This not only changed Tiger, but weakened him. With what had happened to him in the previous year, and his achilles, his life just kept tumbling.
Following the divorce, Tiger spent a year away from the course while trying to manage all the issues in his personal life and its push on his golf game. What many didn't understand was that, even when he returned, even when he said he was "ready" to come back, he was not.
Following the achilles injury in '08, PGA.com reported that Tiger has lived through 14 injuries, some minor and some major up until April of 2014. Talk about a body falling apart. The result of these injuries forced Tiger to miss 10 months throughout the time of the injuries. A main reason for most of the injuries was his swing. It was of something so powerful. The dip in his downswing, and the power that he had from about half-way down to make contact with the ball, was something that had never been seen before. It was what made Tiger so talented and dominant on the PGA tour. He had enough confidence and enough power to know where the ball was going. Nowadays, not so much.
For many, a swing like Tiger's would not work for them. Most would be all over the course, and sure enough Tiger is starting to do the same thing. Yes, we have all heard in his interviews about how he feels and as a matter of fact earlier this year, Tiger's back was bothering him again so he decided to take some rest throughout the months of February to mid-April before the Masters began. Tiger stated in one of his interviews that week of the tournament "This is the best I have felt in a long time, my new swing, new tempo is all there and I am excited."So many of us Tiger fans (not me) believe this man. What they don't realize is that even though Tiger says not only this but many other things, doesn't mean he will necessarily do them. Confidence is one of the biggest things in golf, and if you don't have it then good luck. Tiger does not have confidence and you can tell. This man went out and shot an 85 this past Saturday on June 6 -his worst round ever as a professional. His comment? "I just kept grinding out there as hard as I could." I guess that worked out for you, huh, Tiger?
I am not trying to talk negatively about this man. I respect him as a golfer, I respect the way he has played this game, and how he has won the second most majors among any tour player, ever. I don't respect him as a man. What he did in his past and personal life is awful and should never ever happen to a married woman or man. All in all, Tiger Woods does not matter anymore as a player and should not matter. His winning days are over and I can promise you this -he will never win a major again. The man does not have it, his body is getting weaker and, therefore, his swing has changed and will always keep him guessing on where the ball will go. A golfer and hero for many, his legacy will always live on, but for now there is just one thing left to say. "Hit it straight, Tiger."