The Masters at Augusta National is in full swing today. The top of the world golf rankings is more crowded than usual with six of the top seven golfers eligible to move into the number one ranking with a Master's victory this weekend. However, Tiger Woods is not number one currently, and he isn't two, three, four, five, or six. Tiger comes in as the seventh in the world rankings and the last eligible golfer to take over the number one ranking. We're so accustomed to his number one ranking that he held hostage for so long and watching him in his red polo chase down his prey on Sundays. He would keep us glued to the television hoping and willing him on further because every sports fan wants to be apart of a great moment that defines an athlete. Tiger just had the ability to create those moments year in and year out constantly redefining his career becoming more and more of a legend. Then it all came to screeching halt.
While his game isn't what it was two years ago, he is still Tiger Woods and probably the best golfer to ever play the game. He didn't leave his prime, and he isn't too old. Golf is as much a mental game as it is anything else. Tiger simply lost his mental game a year and a half ago and has struggled to bring back the focus. The determination, competitiveness, and talent is all still there. So he changed his swing, it isn't the first time he has done that and dealt with the consequences. He doesn't deserve to be number one right now, and he probably won't win the Master's this year. However, I do believe it is inevitable that he will win a green jacket again.
This Master's tournament may not mark the beginning of a new Tiger Woods, because he may not be ready for that. It does, however, present the opportunity to get back on track along with any other major tournament. Every time a fellow golfer takes their chance in the media to give a little shot at him they add fuel to the fire inside of one of the most competitive athletes in the world. When Ian Poulter said this week that "I don't think he'll finish in the top five", don't you think that just is just rebuilding Tiger's mental competitive edge? Wouldn't that be the best coming out party for Tiger's new image if on Sunday he chased down Poulter for the lead and showed him who's the world's greatest? Yeah I know it sounds great and it won't happen, not with this Tiger Woods anyway. But one day, maybe not today or this tournament, that Tiger Woods will be back. Tiger Woods is the core of the golf world, and we will all want to watch greatness. If we're lucky, it will come on Sunday.
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