Woods is not only consistently making the cut in tournaments, he's essentially playing himself into contention on Sunday nearly every time out. His recent outing at THE PLAYERS (Don't ask me why it's stylized like that...) was arguably his strongest showing of the year. I'm not counting his second place finish at the Valspar Championship where he had a chance on the 72nd hole to force a playoff. Why? Because Tiger Woods' "first win" after his last few years deserves to come at a tournament not named after a paint company. That would be more appropriately suited for the climax of a Will Ferrell sports comedy that could have totally been released during the mid 2000s.
Even though Tiger has been on this tear and even though his sheer presence is solely reviving interest, participation, and cash flows in golf, I don't think many will claim Tiger is back until he finally tastes victory again. He's a victim of his own creation and expectations. Thankfully, this time is going to arrive next weekend.
The more I thought about what's on the horizon for Tiger this summer the more I realized Tiger Woods winning the Memorial Tournament is the only way this version of Woods can get over the hump and/or how the prophecy of his glorious return can be fulfilled depending on your point of view. Besides the fact I will be there to witness the moment in person and be presented the golden opportunity to sell my badge to a Tiger fanboy for millions of dollars, consider the following:
-Tiger Woods has won the Memorial five times. Back in the day, he managed to win the tournament three consecutive times (1999-2001). It's safe to say he feels comfortable at Muirfield Village.
-The host of the Memorial is none other than the most decorated golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus. Also known as the man Tiger has been relentlessly pursuing for two decades. Nicklaus racked up 18 major championship, while Tiger has been stuck on 14 for longer than anyone would have ever guessed ten years ago.
-Tiger will be playing in the event for the first time since 2015. During that year's tournament, Woods shot an 85 on Saturday. For context, I played Muirfield Village once in my life and nearly matched the number of pars Woods had that day. Unsurprisingly that is to date Woods worst round on the PGA Tour. He finished in last place. For his nadir to come at this course is perhaps the cruelest metaphor for just how far he had fallen. I'd say it seems like the perfect spot to a return to glory if you're a believer the night is darkest just before dawn.
-During this year's pro-am, Tiger is going to be paired with Peyton Manning. Two widely beloved athletes goofing around on the links will be a spectacle to watch unfold, but once Manning puts his name in the Nationwide jingle at some drunken fan's request, there's going to be no stopping Tiger's rhythm the next four days.
Yet on a more romantic note, the biggest reason why Tiger's "first victory" has to come in Dublin is nothing more than a gesture. As the winner walks off their final hole, Jack Nicklaus is always there to greet the winner with a handshake. While throughout his entire career Tiger Woods has eclipsed one milestone after another, the major championship record commonly predicted to inevitable define him is more than likely never going to be shattered. Given the state of today's game, where a guy half his age won the most recent PGA Tour event, even one more major victory is going to be a challenging feat (*Insert plug for my post from a few months ago*)
But the image of golf's strongest candidates for the greatest of all time label sharing a moment once again given everything that's transpired these past few years would officially slam the door shut on Woods' past struggles. It could come to mark the start of the happy ending chapter for Woods' career where he valiantly chases Nicklaus for the next decade. Perhaps it serves as a poignant reminder of what could have been in an alternate universe if his career ends with no additional victories. If nothing else, it's a point in time sports historians cite in 3018 when they take a moment away from debating whether LeBron or MJ would better fit in their version of the NBA.
J. Nave
