Tiger: Back on the Prowl

Did you really think he was going to miss?

The expression on Zach Johnson’s face as Tiger Woods sank a birdie putt on the 72^nd green to win his first event in 25 months said it all: Uh-oh, we’re in trouble.

To the rest of the PGA Tour, consider this a warning. The man who is quite possibly the most feared athlete in the history of sports appears to be back. I hope they enjoyed the last two years, because the future looks awfully bright for Woods.

As the last two holes unfolded Sunday at the Chevron World Challenge, I couldn’t help but think back to the countless number of times I’ve seen Tiger win a golf tournament in dramatic fashion. After a birdie at 16 by Johnson to take a one-shot lead, the stage was set perfectly. Tiger approached the 17^th tee needing some of that Tiger-magic that made us love the guy long ago.

In moments like these over the past two years, this is when Tiger would hook one deep into the trees, lip one out on the green, or see his competitor make a spectacular shot instead. At this very event a year ago, Tiger hit a great second into the 18^th green only to see Graham McDowell drill a long birdie putt to force a playoff he would eventually win. Those occurrences almost never happened to Tiger in the biggest moments pre-Thanksgiving 2009.

However, admitting to over 100 different extramarital affairs, a damaged Escalade, busted lip, humiliating press conference, $100 million divorce, taking a hiatus from golf, hiring a new swing coach, going winless in 2010, missing 11 weeks and missing two majors in 2011 with injuries, and  hiring a new caddy all in a two year span will change all of that.

What we saw on Sunday reminded us of what Tiger once was and what he still is; the best.

Standing on the 17^th tee, Woods placed his tee shot right where it needed to be, in the short grass. His left his approach shot a little short, but it was right on line. He left himself a makeable birdie putt, as did Johnson, who was first up. Johnson just missed, while Tiger made his to tie Johnson at 9-under with one hole to play.

After Tiger converted his birdie chance, NBC showed the reaction from fans who were standing on the next hole and watching live on one of the big screens set up around the course. As the ball fell in, they went nuts. Just like old times.

So there Tiger is, standing on the tee box all square with a Masters champion, trying to win his first tournament in over two years. Just like the hole before, Woods and Johnson find the fairway. Johnson was first to play his second, as was customary for the entire day. He stepped up to the ball and knocked it within 15 feet.

Tiger, faced with the most significant shot he’d seen in ages, got his second right on line with the flag stick from 158 yards out. About two seconds after contact, Tiger starts power walking towards to the green, which means one thing and one thing only: it’s a good one. Tiger sticks it within 10 feet and it rolls back to about seven.

I can’t help but feel bad for Zach Johnson. It has to be difficult to play golf when you’re fully aware that nobody in the gallery is cheering for you, but that’s life when the man you’re trying to beat in the final holes is named Tiger Woods.

When Zach Johnson pulled his birdie putt left, the tournament was pretty much over. Everyone watching knew that Tiger wasn’t missing this one, and he didn’t. Tiger started his ever-so-famous fist pump before the ball even fell in the cup. That violent swing of the arm accompanied with his Tiger-like roar let out two years worth of frustration.

Woods has a grip on the game of golf unlike any other athlete has had on his or her sport. I can’t imagine how many people were glued to a TV that was showing golf on a December Sunday instead of the mighty NFL. The game is so much better when Tiger is playing like himself.

Despite what some are saying, this win absolutely matters. It counts for points in the world rankings and he still had to make all of the shots in high pressure situations. It may have only been a 17-player field, but it still featured four golfers in the top 10. This win will do wonders for Tiger’s confidence, which had to be lacking over the last 25 months.

If you look at what he’s done over the last month or so, his play keeps getting better and better. It started at the Australian Masters, where he finished third and posted three of four rounds in the sixties. A week later, he made a putt for the Americans to clinch the Presidents Cup, where he also played quite well. He’s been on the right side of 70 in 9 of his last 11 rounds.

Anyone who thought Tiger Woods wasn’t going to catch and pass Jack Nicklaus for the most major tournament victories at some point is just plain foolish. Michael Jordan took two years off from basketball and came back better than he was when he left. That’s exactly what Tiger is, the Michael Jordan of his sport, which is why he will indeed pass Jack.

Have people forgotten who this man is? This is the man who won the U.S. Open by 15 shots at Pebble Beach. This is the man who won another U.S. Open on a broken leg, and he had to play an extra 18 to do it. This is the man who once won four majors in a row.

Some say his age will be a big reason why he won’t break the record, which I’ve never bought into. Steve Stricker, ranked fifth in the world, is 44 years old. Since his forties, he has played the best golf of his life, winning eight tournaments and posting three top tens in majors. If Steve Stricker is capable of doing that much, you don’t think Tiger is capable of doing even more? Considering how well he conditions, he could easily compete until he’s 50. Tiger needs five to break jack’s record. 5 out of 56?

I like his chances. Welcome back, Tiger. We’ve missed you.