Tiger’s Comeback?
I’m not sure you can call it Tiger’s comeback…
We learned this week that Tiger Woods is scheduling himself for three events in the month of December. Now, we haven’t seen him on the golf course since July, when he was missing the cut at the 150th Open Championship. But in December, he’s scheduled to tee it up at the tournament he hosts to benefit his foundation, the Hero World Challenge. It’s a four-day, 72-hole event, held each year in the Bahamas with a small field, usually around 20 players. He’s then going to participate in the latest incarnation of “The Match”. It’s the next week, and it’s an exhibition match between Tiger and Rory, playing Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. This will take place on the 10th, in Florida, and under the lights. Then, there’s the event I’m sure he’s looking forward to, the PNC Championship where he will once again team up with his son, Charlie, who’s grown a lot in the last year.
Tiger In The Future
As great as it is to see Tiger play, I’m not getting my hopes up about the future. First of all, he’s made it very clear to me and others that he doesn’t anticipate his health getting much better. His mobility and flexibility is what it is, after numerous surgeries and that serious auto accident. So, his body, it seems will only ever allow him to do so much. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the most physically demanding of the events, the four-day, 72-hole tournament comes first. That’ll be when he’s the healthiest and has the most energy. The second event, the 12-hole event is a “hit and giggle” made-for-TV event. He won’t really care about his play there. And then, the PNC. He will care about how he plays with Charlie, but it’s only two days, and like last year, if he feels bad, Charlie will take over.
I’m saying all of this to say, I don’t expect much from him going forward. To watch him on Friday at St. Andrews barely be able to walk one of the flattest courses in the world told me all I needed to know about him going forward. Do I expect him to attempt to play in the four majors next year? Absolutely. Do I expect to see him at other times during next season? Nope. Not in San Diego, at Arnold’s, and not at Jack’s. He might, MIGHT attempt to play in the Genesis since that “elevated” tournament tour benefits his foundation.
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Have we seen the best of Tiger? Yep! Will there be more magic? Maybe! But don’t blink, because he won’t be on stage often.
