Tiger’s Comeback Prowl at Augusta
by: Jarrod Ficklin ‘11In a place that has been known as the Heaven of golf, Tiger Woods will attempt to climb out of his own Hell at Augusta National on Thursday, April 8th. Tiger “Cheetah” Woods certainly brought this Hell on himself. For the last four months, everyone has had a reason to hate Tiger, especially the people closest to him. Not only do people hate Tiger for what he did, but people also dislike Tiger for how much he’s been on every news circuit, not just ESPN. However, there is one thing that would halter all the negativity surrounding Tiger’s life: a win at Augusta.
Some critics of Tiger are saying that his return to The Masters is a publicity stunt. Really? Don’t you think he’s had enough publicity over the past four months? Some critics are saying that he has no chance to win. Arnold Palmer has even been quoted doubting Tiger: “I can’t fathom taking five months off and going into Augusta.” Now, I would never doubt Arnold Palmer – and certainly not his delicious 1⁄2 iced tea, 1⁄2 lemonade beverages. But if anyone has the chance to do what Palmer deems unfathomable, Tiger can. All they have to do is remember his record-breaking performance at Augusta in 1997. Or his chip-in on 16 at the 2005 Masters. Or winning on one leg at the 2008 U.S. Open. Or the fact that he’s won The Masters four times already. Shall I continue?
Tiger certainly hopes to continue his dominance over the game of golf. The man revolutionized the sport; he made golf cool to the masses. Despite what he has done in his personal life, we can’t forget why we fell in love with Tiger. There’s a reason why Tiger had all those sponsorships; there’s a reason why Tiger is by far the most followed golfer at every tournament he enters; there’s a reason why after Tiger executes a shot only Tiger could make or sinks a tournament clinching putt, a thunderous roar resonates over the entire golf course, not just the hole he’s on. That reason is because Tiger is the best to ever play the game. I know it. You know it. Jack Nicklaus knows it. People follow Tiger because they want to witness history.
At The Masters, Tiger will certainly look to add to his historical résumé. It will, no doubt, be difficult. However, there is one thing certain: if Tiger wins, every other professional golfer should quit golf. Imagine trying to come back at a course known as the greatest test in golf. Imagine trying to come back after you’ve lost millions of dollars in sponsorships. Imagine trying to come back after you’ve hurt the person who means the most to you. Imagine trying to come back after four months of no one having anything positive to say about you.
Now, imagine Tiger winning. Imagine the media shifting gears and talking about what he does for a living and not whom he does. Imagine the support he would receive. Imagine him having a reason to flash his trademark smile for the first time in months.
Don’t lie to yourself. No matter how much you have disliked or made fun of Tiger recently, everyone loves a comeback. If anyone can come out the victor amidst all this turmoil, Tiger can. He has never come from behind on Sunday to win a major, but that’s only because Tiger is a matador on Sundays – he wears red and lets the bulls chase him. However, even if he leads the entire 2010 Masters, it would be his greatest comeback of all time.
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