All Eyes Are On Tiger — Well In Striking Distance

When he was Tiger Woods, a golfing phenomenon of this generation, he was so dominant that no one could beat Eldrick. Walking down the first fairway with his caddie Joe LaCava on Thursday afternoon, he was focused on winning his fifth Masters tournament title, beginning his quest for 18 major titles to surpass Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record.

He’s not an amateur athlete playing with the big boys and climbing the leader board at Augusta National Golf Club. He’s Tiger Woods. He’s a big boy. Yet he, too, can sputter and miss the fairway on a poor shot that affects every player’s game. Then again, he can try for his magic number five, after making birdies and blasting perfect shots, up and over the trees, that rested on the green as spectators in the galleries believe in a potential comeback.

If he wins this weekend, after reclaiming his spot as the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world, it would be accurate to say he’s back and our obligation to forgive Woods. If he wins this weekend, which he’s a favorite to don another green jacket come Sunday evening, Woods will reclaim his status in his respective sport on his path to redemption. As the world’s greatest golfer, standing in perfect position to take the lead, Woods can rehabilitate his reputation and his public image with a major victory for the first time since 2008, for the first time since his erotic scandal, for the first time since he allegedly neglected his ill half-brother who is suffering from multiple sclerosis and for the first time since allegations swirled about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

And now, on this successful day of his career, in what puts him in striking distance for round two of the Masters on Friday, Woods is finally putting fear on players’ faces. Maybe he is back, but he’d have to win a major title before we can actually acknowledge that he’s Tiger. He has emerged from the darkness of a cheating scandal that stunned the golf world and dominated the front page of tabloids for weeks, for months and for nearly a year. He’s trying to contend, as his late father taught him the fundamentals of the game and how to be a competitor throughout his childhood.

Golf is a much better game when Woods is atop the leader board and when he’s playing his best golf, and as usual, he’s the subject of the Masters, simply because he’s the world’s No. 1 golfer and a legend, win or lose. The Tiger Comeback is interesting and fun to watch, and whenever he’s playing and dominating with aplomb, he’s the scariest athlete at Augusta, a place where he has enjoyed his greatest victories and will forever have lifelong memories. As Woods tries to find the smoothest way back to truly being the Tiger he once was, he’s more focused and knows he’s capable of removing the stains of his infidelity with a victory this weekend.

This was a day when he was a golfer from another planet, maybe not from Pluto, but from another galaxy and finished round of two-under 70. This happened on a day when Tianlang Guan, the 14-year-old sensation, shot at 73 in his opening round at the Masters. It’s a moment the China native will remember for years to come, and spectators were amazed by his maturity and poise, even though he’s an amateur. This is a remarkable story for a teenager who, as the youngest player in a major since 1865, is truly thriving and will one day embark on a lifelong pursuit.

And in this moment, after everything he has fulfilled in just the first round to become the topic of discussion all week long, you can sense that he will be around for years to come if he continues to impress viewers with his efforts and magnificent performances. And as nice as the story was, and always will be, Guan defeated Ian Poulter and Hunter Mahan by three strokes and Bubba Watson, the Masters defending champion, by two strokes. The kid to whom we grew to glorify, a confident and well-mannered teenager who was unfazed and stayed calm, beat the rest of the world and made golf popular in China.

The focus of golf, although there are other golfers who have mastered the game just as well as the world’s greatest, has been Woods, nonetheless with endless debates on whether he’d ever overcome adversity to be the central figure of the game and the same golfer he was 10 years ago. If there is going to be any moment in his career that he comes back, like the dominant athlete we once knew, it is going to happen at the Masters and so far he’s hitting the ball admirably. Now, we know all too well that Woods is capable of a fifth green jacket.

He knows he’s capable of beating the best in the world with his dominance, as good as he’s been, and he knows he was splendid in the first round, finishing with a 2-under-par round of 70. He’s not young, or as dominant, still the greatest, once again trying to win his first major in five years, long after he and Elin Nordegren split up, long after he had fallen from grace by cheating on his ex-wife. He’s playing well and he’s in another relationship, dating Olympic skier, Lindsey Vonn.

And while she was looking on and supporting her honey — wearing a soft brace on her surgically repaired right knee — her boyfriend hit six balls and putted each one. He might be more fascinating to watch than he has been in years, especially after putting together a convincing round that he hit 13-of-18 greens, in his 19th Masters. Woods had finally made his first birdie of the day at the par-3 6th, and sunk another one at the par-5 8th, then played Amen Corner in 1 under by birdieing the 13th. After that, he three-putted for his first bogey of the tournament at the 14th green, but then missed the 15th after a solid drive.

And you know Tiger still has it in him. This is about reclamation for Woods, a time when everyone is — yet again — talking about how he’s the hottest player coming into the tournament, in an environment where he’s experienced the greatest achievements.

The reality is that Eldrick just might be back.

Chill On Tiger: Wake Me Up When Woods Wins Major

It wasn’t long ago when Nike, a marketing ploy for the world’s No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods, released a controversial ad featuring a quote that read “WINNING TAKES CARE OF EVERYTHING.” The worst thing about Nike’s creativity for Woods, who reclaimed his No. 1 golf ranking after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida, is that it created a social media storm.

At a time when he’s beginning to see the light, giving chase to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles, he’s favored to overcome months of misery and dismal performances by winning the Masters. There is, believe it or not, a chance Woods can win the Masters at Augusta National by Sunday evening, eyeing a fifth green jacket and finally returning to normalcy. It’s more likely that populace thinks he’s back now that he’s the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer for the first time since 2010. It’s more likely that citizens are convinced he’s back now that he’s won six of his last 20 tournaments, none of them major titles by the way.

But he’s not so convincing when he’s gone five years without roaring back to win the big one, as the golfing world is gushing about Woods winning three events this year, including the last two times he has played. So now we are supposed to applaud a once spotless athlete who is, once again, the heavy favorite going into the Masters. So now we are supposed to buy into the notion that he’s back, that after years in disarray he’s finally comfortable in his swing.

He’s playing his best golf for the first time since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and since his infamous sex-scandal. He’s still worth a lot in endorsements and he sells products in the best interest of his corporate enablers. For instance, even during the allegations and shocking secrets involving a platoon of mistresses, Nike stood by him and understood bad publicity means good publicity.

He’s poised to end a major drought, he’s focused on his game and hopes to recapture his dominance at a place where he’s won his first major as the second greatest golfer alive. After overcoming a bad relationship and after his ex-wife Elin Nordegren filed for divorce, he’s dating his new girlfriend Lindsey Vonn. But to say that he’s back is utterly silly, when he has not won a major title since his 91-hole extravaganza to outlast journeyman Rocco Mediate in a sudden-death playoff of the US Open at Torrey Pines in 2008.

Believe whatever you want, but he won’t be back until he wins a major. And, should that happen, maybe he will restore his damaged reputation, regain his form and exceed all expectations. The last time he’s put on a green jacket was in 2005 at age 30, when he beat Chris DiMarco in an astonishing duel for his fourth Masters title. At that time, the hope was to dedicate the thrilling victory to his gravely ill father who taught him everything he knows about the game throughout his childhood.

When he was at his best, he was a newlywed with a spotless image who dominated and clearly became an unmatched player in his sport. When he was the world’s most famous athlete, the guidance of his father helped his path to become a winner, as Woods embraced the pleasures of fatherhood, raising his two children with his ex-wife. Woods’ life has never been the same since the humiliation of a tabloid scandal and since he was embroiled in ugly extramarital affairs, but now he’s slowly getting over an embarrassing sex escapade.

He’s a winner, once again, and only cares about winning major tournaments at this point. By winning a major, of course, it cures and heals the wounds of a man who is trying to repair a public image. The thoughts of his scandal won’t wither or disappear anytime soon, and he won’t ever dominate as he’s done before. The public perception, among those who worshipped Woods before his transgressions, won’t ever be the same, either. People love or hate Woods. It’s one or the other.

In the meantime, though, a Masters victory would be one way to rid the stain of his infidelity. It’s fitting for Woods to have the comeback of his lustrous career at Augusta National Golf Club, where he’s had a ton of success way before the sex scandal came into view, way before we even knew that side of Woods, way before we found out that he was never an impeccable athlete and lived a double-life.

For now, that is until he wins another major title, he’s an overly hyped golfer only because folks wanted to believe he was the most recognizable athlete, the most sensational athlete, or the most popular athlete in American sports. If he was back to being Tiger, he wouldn’t have gone eighteen consecutive major tournaments without a victory. Thus, for quite sometime now, he’s showing he’s still the greatest golfer of this generation and has been greatly dominating.

When he tees off at the Masters on Thursday, he will have a chance to build on confidence and make use of rehabilitation to repair his ravaged career. So finally, he’s producing a little magic and believers are quick to say he’s back without even knowing the truth behind Woods. Keep in mind that Woods dropped from No. 1 in the world to No. 58 and just recently climbed back to No 1., which has created the unnecessary hype about a man who still clearly has an elephant-sized ego, a man who still is getting publicity from his frivolous Nike commercials.

As always, each time the Masters comes around, Woods raises eyebrows for competing in a four-day event at the most prestigious golf tournament. This time around, which people are talking endlessly, he stands at No. 1 for his 19th Masters appearance. And right now, Woods is long overdue for a victory in one of these majors — the Masters, US Open, British Open or PGA Championship.

As we all know, he failed to break par in a final round in a major a year ago. He unraveled in the third round with a 5-over-par 70, after he was tied for the 36-hole lead at the US Open. What happened at the British Open was more disappointing when he shot par in the third round and had four bogeys and a triple bogey in the final round at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. He fell short at the PGA Championship, beginning the third round tied for the lead, but then rain started to pour in Kiawah Island and he couldn’t bounce back. Which, in this case, he’s not back.

That was another full year without Woods winning a major. So it will remain uncertain, whether he’s back or not. I’m not certain that he’s returned to usual form when he’s still seeking to capture another major title at Augusta National, a place where the azaleas bloom in the spring. If Tiger truly is back, if he has what it takes to reach the 18-major milestone, he has to win a major title and then we can say he’s back. If he does win this tournament, it would be indisputable to say he’s not back, it would be silly to believe he’s not the old Tiger. The greatest golfing creature on the planet is capable of playing better than he has in a long time. He’s healthy, he’s happy and he’s reinvented his golf swing. Anybody can see that this can be a monumental weekend.

At age 37, he’s playing his best golf, but he’s not even close to being back. If he leaves Augusta with a victory to end an 8-year drought, then we can say Tiger is truly Tiger.

Tiger Won't Capture a Miracle in Augusta

What, you expected him to suddenly emerge into the world's greatest golfer, dominate on the green and win another green jacket again? The roars overwhelmed Tiger Woods, once the game's most premiere athlete, as the folks in the galleries are confident that he has returned to normalcy, but instead he's shrunk quickly, wilting and plunging into the twilight stages of his graceful career. Turns out, he's not back after all.

So what if he was surrounded by thousands of supporters, cheering and giving standing ovations. The proud spectators sensed a miraculous comeback, ultimately waiting for an epic rebound by Woods in order to soar into contention by dusk on Sunday evening in Augusta. To those fans he should be atop the leaderboard already if he ever wanted in chance to be fitted for a green jacket, but as we all know, it felt like Woods flunked the test on the day he needed to regain ground to ascend the leaderboard.

It really depends on how badly Woods' desires to rekindle dominance in the very prestigious tournament. His swagger, apparently, is not enough to pull it off and eliminate the youngsters from contention, an event Woods has stumbled and faltered in lately, an event where he never seizes control, an event he hasn't won since 2005.

More than ever, he's a prima donna in the sport, although he cajoles viewers and balloons television ratings by wearing his stylish, colorful Nike brand shirts and standing as the world's most glamorous golfer, the talented player everybody desires to watch. One still can find the sport eventful as long as Woods is present, as long as he is showcasing his consciousness and excellence in the Masters, nearly impeccable in the eyes of spectators intrigued and awed by Woods. He is, with no apologies, the best golfer on the planet, well, he used to be the greatest until he fell from grace.

He was also linked to a Canadian doctor who was investigated by the FBI for allegedly providing Woods with human growth hormone. It's one of the saddest stories, just how fast the world's most beloved athlete can fall from grace and be marked for life, no longer the flawless idol the world became accustomed to for being a spotless family man with values and an iconic figure running an educational center for children who adored him. It is, however, one of the woebegone appearances in the Masters for Woods, too, stumbling and toppling in the event.

It would be inconceivable to believe that he could win! Somehow, he needs to win. It's imperative to Woods' legacy that he wins another major title soon and garners the finest rebound in the sport for restoring credibility and erasing the tattered memories of disgrace, in which his popularity and likeability plummeted. There's no better atmosphere than Augusta National to recapture triumph, perhaps refresh our minds with memorable wins on the renowned surface where he earned the greatest victories and celebrated in triumph and amassed five green jackets.


He was in trouble of gaining the lead and never had the intense stare, fussing slightly a bit without tossing his golf club into the creek or going on one of his hilarious anger outbursts. He still hasn't reclaimed his rightful position in the sport and has been incapable of topping the throne in the Masters. This time, on this day, he birdied the third and took a walk towards No. 4, where his body language revealed frustration and disappointment, taking a slow walk on the course.

Even though, he was having an awful outing, he glanced into the crowd at a pair of blondes and smiled. In truth, he's a lady's man. But in reality, the youngster from Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy is on his way to getting honored in the green jacket ceremony by Sunday evening, currently holding a four-shot lead. So much for Woods. So long to Woods. All eyes are turned, for now anyway, directly to McIlory, if not Woods. It's almost understandable to root against Woods, who was incensed when he botched shots.

The gallery held collective breaths and Woods gazed in despair. While he tried to take back the game he once rightfully owned, McIlroy was sinking a 30-foot birdie putt to finish in a breathtaking pursuit. By the end of the day, Woods was incapable of putting on a spectacular display and shot a two-over 74 and currently stands at five-under for the Masters. Although he can strike again, with the hottest swings and much momentum to storm in position, Woods has never come back from behind on the final day of any major.

In this event, McIlroy has backed up his trash talk and pompous demeanor. So with that, he's entitled to be cocky and really believe that he can win the entire tournament, when after all he is currently atop the leaderboard. The only way he can drop rapidly is by shuffling and wobbling, something hard to envision when McIlory is extremely composed and confident. The Masters, in its 75th year, is engaging because of the 21-year old kid. He is, certainly, the next biggest magnet of golf, aiming to be the most dominant name in this lustful era, terrifying the old-timers with his craft and superb swings, concentration and mindfulness.

We can by now admit that McIlroy has great potential to be the attraction of golf in the future, particularly after settling for three birdies on the hardest final six holes, carding a two-under-par 70 to mark a three-day total to under 12 and leads by four strokes. There's much doubt, judging by the way McIlroy has played and the way Jason Day has been noticed on the leaderboard and the way Angel Cabrera has earned spotlight by jumping onto the leaderboard, that Woods won't pull off the miracle.

The heavy talk this weekend has been on McIlroy and Day, a pair of youngster delivering not only in shots for the Masters but handing over inspiration to children. The point of the matter is that Woods won't win at the 75th Masters, delayed by the expeditious growth of two kids, leaving him in the darkness in Augusta, where he used to always be appreciated and admired. He needs a miracle, and not even Miracle-Gro can induce ambition, not if he is having trouble putting. And as of now, he is seven shots behind McIlroy and, by now, he can drop the F-Bomb and utter the word "Damnit!"

Seems Woods is mortal.

Woods Strikes Back with Swagger: No Need to Sugarcoat It

Suddenly, he was pumping his fist. Gazing with the most intimidating facial expression in sports, stares and emotions Tiger Woods exposes when he's full of swagger poised to return to prominence.

He walked and dominated the green at Augusta, roaring back into the invincible name we were once familiar with on the graceful course as the crowd roared after he posted a convincing round -- after he was more intriguing than the azaleas and the large population that gathered in portable seats in Amen Corner to witness the exquisite scenery of a placid cabin with a stone chimney secluded behind a cluster of trees, dogwoods and azaleas -- but more than ever, to seemingly watch Woods strike back into contention.

This was for the doubters and disbelievers who've berated Woods. The state of Woods' odds in winning the 2011 Masters has created a discussion, particularly when he has climbed back near the top of the leaderboard, impressing his critics and supporters with his emotions and dominance. If he ever expects to move forward, thus in the guise of his tattered reputation that ruined respectability amidst the sex scandal and infidelity against his ex-wife, alleged text messages exchanged with bimbos and mistresses and planes flying overhead with insulting banners, Woods needs to return to usual form by seeking another green jacket before the weekend is over.

The crowd followed Woods and pulled for a romantic comeback and dramatic afternoon at Augusta. His swagger is back, but in reality, he is nonetheless labeled a serial cheater and a womanizer who was addicted to sexual activities with nearly every bimbo. And even if he falls short of winning his 15th major title this season, another green jacket in which he would instantly inch closer towards the legendary Jack Nicklaus' record-setting 18 major titles, he is refocused for a colossal challenge, an opportunity to discard the nightmares that surfaced from his horrific and formidable scandal.

It stunned the world heavily, with all the uncharacteristic allegations that suddenly were publicly divulged truthful. And ever since, Woods, once the world's most premier golfer and one of the best athletes on the planet, he has lost tremendous respect with a status that remained in uncertainty. Now more than ever, excelling in one of the enjoyable competitions in a tradition unlike any other, Woods is looking brilliant, combative and confident. What's on his to-do list might be to stand as the superior one in the Masters, and reclaim the greatest prize in one of the resplendent traditions in sports during the spring.

He is finally back in contention, almost charmingly, within striking distance to finish atop the leaderboard by dinner time on Saturday evening in the friendly confines where a famous golfer with much experience and assurance can card a perfect round. The demise of one spectacular player is delayed and balloons plenty of optimism for Woods. For instance, he believes he'll surpass Nicklaus' record of 18 majors, a historic mark that could define him as the greatest to ever take a swing on the course throughout an acclaimed career.


Within such a recognized span, which includes 14 Major golf championships and 95 titles in his awesome career and 71 on the PGA tour, he is back to his usual self and seems unbeatable only if he claims the lead in the next couple days. It sure looks as if Woods, on the warmest day for the Masters, played splendidly and proved doubters wrong by staying unflappable and focus on the fairways in the hardest round of the tournament, an unpredictable game that makes it easier for some, and I say some, to cheer on the embattled iconic figure.

It was about the growth of the youngest cast. That is what the Masters came down to, until Woods hatched from a cocoon of struggles and renovated hope, two years removed from his grisly scandal. The world stopped when the scandal revealed, stunned with the revelations by the world's most likable sports figure. But now, the masses pause for a four-day honeymoon to glorify Woods as if he's done no wrong, as if he's still the spotless athlete we adored and as if he's well in his prime.

When Woods represents the Masters by amazing the spectators in a lovely fashion, by wearing his stylish Nike wardrobe without using obscene language to release his frustration, he brings in a relentless feel, a feel of high spirits and verves. Critics were fooled by his speedy comeback. Hell, I was fooled by Woods on the day his figurative statement made cynics and skeptics forget about his extramarital affairs with porn stars, pancake house waitresses and V.I.P women. The question is, can he come out with the same type of swings for another day or will he vanish into the darkness again, and disappoint the true believers?

You never know with Tiger. You never know in this erratic sport, you just never know. But we all know by now that he had a strong and convincing surge in front of thousands sitting in the galleries -- where often inexplicably --he was bestowed adulation and boasted his chances by climbing the leaderboard unexpectedly. In his divine run, with a widened smile that we haven't seen in a long time, he birdied six of eight holes in a stint and finished with a staggering 66 to place him in contention.

The repercussions of disappointment were at large, but he alarmed the gallery and the people were enthusiastic watching him roar back into conversations for a green jacket by Sunday. Nothing was ever promised to Woods, but he really was in a groove and made the lengthy par putts. It came on the par-4 11th, when Tiger shot his birdie put short, and then rolled the par putt in the middle of the hole and performed his customary fist pump. After all of this, in which he threatens any golfer in the lead and could probably take a commanding lead, only if he doesn't stumble in the next two days, he sank a birdie putt for the 18th.


Tied for third, once he made it, the crowd erupted into the most storming ovation in the second round. It doesn't mean he'll win, but he does put fear in the hearts of the youngsters, pulling three shots of Rory McIlroy. But it was clearly his best round, and finally, he shot a 6-under 66 in the second round, stunning and catching our eyes after discarding the mediocrity and playing like the old Tiger. Fellow golfers are closely keeping an eye on Woods, particularly the leader McIlroy, who is boldly admitting that he can beat him in these Masters and isn't scare to flirt with his mind.

"I'll just be concentrating on the golf course," McIlroy, 21, said when asked about Woods. "If you start thinking about anyone else here, you can -- if you let your mind wander at all, it can cost you a couple of shots. I'll be focusing on my targets and focusing on where I want my ball to go on the greens, and that's all I can do. I don't really care what anyone else does. I don't need to know. So it will be great for the tournament if he's up there. But I'm two shots ahead and I'm in a better position."

Is he cocky or a competitor?

He is a competitor, not intimidated by the presence of the greatest golfer who is on decline, no longer as efficient. It's not telling whether Woods is back or not, but we'll know by Saturday for sure. We'll know if he's back or not. We'll know if he's for real or just having a bunch of luck.

For now, though, he is striking back.

McIlroy Climbs Beyond Greatness, as Tiger Diminishes Into Darkness

His stylish attire, of course, emblazoned in his greenish golf shirt with blue and white stripes and the Nike logo on it, was more attractive than his game itself. The afternoon was elegant, on the day the beautiful venue was engaging as the creeks flowed nicely, as the azaleas blossomed and as the leaderboard was ever so changeable at Augusta National, a refreshing scene for the Masters annual event.

But this time, even if Tiger Woods can amazingly return to normalcy and take the smoothest path to polish as the world's most popular athlete, the afternoon was anything but lovely or kind to Woods, an unhinged golfer trying to reestablish a renewed status. So just like that, faster than he swears angrily or tosses his iron stick in frustration into the creek and engages in obscenity, Woods is on a mission towards not only repairing his tattered image, but also winning another major title in pursuit to shatter Jack Nicklaus' record-setting 18 titles.

In a forgiven country, after he notoriously opposed that he was above any wrongdoings as we truly believed he was the most spotless athlete on the planet, Woods is ready to move forward and clear his name of guilt. In the meantime, we are long past the feel-sorry-for-Tiger stage when he has clearly faded, wilted and declined. We are left guessing and debating if Woods can ever win another major title, even if he's well past his prime and has a slight chance in reemerging into a prominent name in an insipid sport. He was supposed to be a cure for an uneventful sport, but in truth, he needs a win to heal from the dreadful memories of a grisly sex scandal that forayed into his personal life and revealed his double-life.

The point is, he hasn't been spectacular ever since he suffered a hideous downfall in his lifetime, no longer perceived as the immaculate role model with modest family values running an educational center for children. It's hardly nice for the popular face of the sport to deteriorate, an event qualified not only as uninteresting but feeble without the famous Woods, despite his surprising sins that placed his marriage in tatters.

The recent trend of pursuing a title at Augusta has shrunk and, as usual, he seems forlorn in the sport he once dominated. In a complex sport, with all the applause he accepted from zealots in the galleries, he has fallen from grace and has been the only athlete who couldn't redeem or refrain from public humiliation. By any logical perceptions, it's hard to envision Woods returning to usual form when it looks as if his remarkable, dazzling reign has come to an end. With all evidence of historic feats and milestones no other golfer in this era can replicate, comes an awful ending to his precious career, a livelihood that finished so badly after diminishing as the iconic figure amid the scandal.

When he arrived to Amen Corner, a famous crossroad and locale at Augusta National where a restful cabin with a stone chimney hidden in a cluster of trees, azaleas and dogwoods and where spectators can sit in portable seats and witness shots to the 11th hole, 12th hole, tee shots and second shots on the par-5 No. 13, he was welcomed with a warm reception. And seemingly, the crowd was cheering and glorifying Woods when he walked into Amen Corner, a location on the course that should rightfully so be renamed to Tiger's Corner for the spectators powerful roars.

The demise of one of the greatest golfers all-time is gradually in existence, an evident footnote that Woods doesn't have the swagger to seize control of the leaderboard. It's the Masters in Augusta, an atmosphere where Woods has been winless since 2005, and particularly his inability to compete efficiently and intimidate opposing golfers is killing his capability and potential fearsomeness. There is no doubt in our minds that Woods is precisely more potent on a video game released featuring the embattled athlete, unsuccessful in finding his mojo to contend for another green jacket.


The theory was for Woods to rid the uncertainty of his personal scandal and relight his dominance to reclaim invincibility. It's foolish not to realize that every dynasty eventually recedes, but a legacy usually carries on. Nobody aside from Woods believes that his legacy will remain intact, a reputation in tatters after a sequence of allegations from a sex scandal. Nobody respects Woods as a person, let alone his talent. Nobody, that is, seems intimidated or fearful in competing against Woods. Nor, for that matter, has anybody backed down.

For now, at age 35, he's numbered and vulnerable to falter against anybody. Almost obviously, it's not certain that he'll past Nicklaus for title No. 19 in the near future, but if anything, will retire well shy of an honorable plateau in the sport. That alone would definitely put an end to the draining gibberish about his recent infidelity and transgressions on his ex-wife. Though he is on pace to reach a sumptuous mark, he owns 14 major titles in the twilight period of his career, aiming to return to greatness by amending his woes and doing everything he can in the upcoming competitions.

In these Masters, on the afternoon when Woods played horrible and never delivered to ease much of the tension, Rory McIlroy, the 21-year old kid, shot his best ever Thursday -- accounted for seven birdies and no bogeys in an easy 7-under par 65. He climbed the leaderboard with a 65 and stayed in the lead until Woods' sleeper at a major championship Y.E. Yang managed to gather a 7 under but then bogeyed 17 and 18. On the eve before the first round, McIlroy ventured to a shopping mall in Augusta and bought a football.

In front of his rented Augusta home, he was tossing the ball around with a few friends and then eventually a neighbor came out. For McIlroy, who has quickly emerged among many at the Masters, his chances of fitting for a green jacket is probable with victories on both the PGA and European tour. Therefore, he is composed and prepared for the challenge mentally when many inexperienced golfers in the unfriendly confines at Augusta National, a place where the winds blow intensely and where the greens for the players could be difficult to master, lacks composure and aplomb.

This year, he didn't miss the cut. And he never finished lower than 20th. That happened in 2008, during his disappointing lapse. His visit at St. Andrews in last year's British Open was greatly impressive and it represented European golf in many ways. That is when he shot a 63, an 80 the following day and 60 for two rounds, finishing third -- and now in the Masters, he is awe-inspiring. Better than Woods, he played brilliantly and as well as Rickie Fowler and Jason Day, a pair of young players with bright futures in a strategic sport.

Unbelievably, Day shot even-par 72 and Fowler, splendid on the fairways in the Masters, birdied four of the final five holes to card a 70. Stylish on the day, McIlroy wore sunglasses on the back of his cap and played proficiently like no other. As for fashion, Fowler won the contest, dressed in green completely that attracted much attention. It's rational to believe that Woods and Mickelson aren't the dynamic duo the nation adores watching as we embrace the newfound era of skilled players.

Suddenly, the elite golfers, such as Phil and Tiger are plunging -- on the course, on the fairways at Augusta, not the main attraction in April but the two high-profile faces of Augusta National in oblivion. Without even being heckled or harassed by a plane carrying a banner overhead, in what was supposed to be a year that he cure the painful thoughts of disadvantages, he shot a 71 in the first round, a customary trait lately but never climbs back into contention.

And he won't come back this year either, if he continues to miss putts. His archenemy, Mickelson, the defending champion, began with seven consecutive pars and carded 70, making a birdie from the pine straw right of the fairway. But where he gaffed was by driving it into the bushes left of Rae's Creek, a shot that almost rolled in a birdie putt before it rested for a par.

These days, Woods just isn't the same untouchable, intimidating guy. Maybe we can trust in McIlroy. This could be the moment he shines. This could be the next celebrity in golf. Bye, Tiger. Hello, McIlroy??

Tiger Woods Drops Drastically as Prominent Golfer: No Luck at Augusta

The last thing we want from Tiger Woods, aside from his fraudulent image staining the perception of golf, a pedestrian sport in America when the casual fan rebuffs interest in watching as a spectator for such mild activity, is constant annoyance heard regularly in regards to his sex scandal in his horrendous past.

As the world's most beloved athlete and a positive role model for many children who adored the golfer, once spotless until he committed transgressions on his wife and never showed fidelity, Woods' privacy was never unveiling in the public or turned into a media circus. When he returned to Augusta National, once a refreshing environment where he was cheered in a four-day honeymoon, it felt like he had never been involved in a scandal or had never done nothing wrong and had finally redeemed himself.

Amid the month of April, on the beautiful greenery at Augusta National where the azaleas bloom and where Amen Corner is filled with activity, a crossroad crowded with hundreds of thousands of spectators sitting on portable seats giving the adulation to a well-known golfer once in shambles, Woods is earnestly on decline. For one, he is marked for life ever since he wrecked his SUV when he slammed into a fire hydrant and a neighbor's tree over Thanksgiving weekend a couple of years ago, unveiling his ugly sex scandal, generating a media circus that invaded his privacy and demolished his believability which forayed into the uncertain legacy of a golfer with his tattered credibility.

In America, before he approved the worthless advertising campaign with the creativity of Nike, it used to be common of populace to put Woods on the pedestal for the delicacy that had advertised the sport as an eventful game to allure the population in which many immersed into the Masters. These days, the Masters is an annual competition and seizes much attention in the spring as long as Woods is present and competes in the most prominent golf tournament among major events.

No more is the Masters dominated by Woods, nor does he comes in wearing the most revealing facial expression on the fairways. He used to be the one golfer everybody adored and never rooted against, but now that he's on decline, Phil Mickelson, his archrival on the course, the athlete in contention with Woods every year, can be fitted for another green jacket no later than late Sunday afternoon. There's no too much trash talking while walking down the fairways, but in recent memory, Woods’ caddie Steve Williams expressed resentment towards Mickelson and fiercely ripped him.

"I wouldn't call Mickelson a great player 'cause I hate the prick," he once said.

If Woods continues to stumble and deteriorate, now that he is aging and suddenly removed from his prime, he won't ever inch closer in surpassing the legendary Jack Nicklaus for 18 major titles, the most in history. But in order to accomplish a rare feat, he'll have to extend his level of competition. The timing is now, with the notion of Woods reaching the twilight period of his outstanding career, when he can shimmer and secure another green jacket to add to a historic collection. This is realistically, assuming he has turned down porn stars, pancake house waitresses and women from V.I.P. rooms, a way he can repair his image and erase the infamous past.

The honest assumption, being that he lost much respect and regards when we wanted to believe he was the spotless athlete with family values running an educational center for children even after revelations uncovered successive allegations of sex scandals, is the he'll never win another major title. If he does win another major, while in pursuit of Nicklaus' record 18 titles, his credibility could very well amend gradually, ending the dreadful mess to restore trust publicly.

For the time being, eager to stun all doubters and non-believers in the 2011 Masters, he is aiming to dismiss plights and horrific sins in his dubious career. The problem is, particularly if he doesn't ever qualify for another green jacket, he'll remain a certified serial cheater and has been labeled notoriously as a sex-addict that the masses amazingly still adores, despite his infamous past of a sequence of infidelity scandals.

In the matter of days, he had fallen from grace long ago and plummeted quickly, a forgotten celebrity for his wrongdoings. It was a real shame as Woods sabotaged his own image. Since then, he has never found the smoothest recovery in the sport when he is simply described as the most talented golfer. At last, from the grand scheme of things, he is returning towards normalcy, all of the sudden intrepid, fearless, confident and combative.


The reputation will take time to repair, but he can relieve much sorrow with a win at Augusta and has already made progress by his incremental maneuvers towards repossessing a piece of hope and gratification. Yet, even while his personal issues mentally and physically slashed his mental capacity on the course, he's never been the aggressive Woods we once were familiar with ever since he took an eight-month intermission to rehabilitate after undergoing reconstructed knee surgery. The good news is, of course, that he's really optimistic about winning again.

The bad news is, no doubt, that he's not the No. 1 athlete in the world but a confused golfer folks despise because of his stunning troubles recently. The odds of Woods winning again are very unlikely, but he honestly believes otherwise, as if he's in position to win at the Masters. When most athletes are forgiven eventually by escaping the dreadful incidents, Woods hasn't been forgiven but ridiculed and maligned for not speaking on what occurred the night of the auto accident or for arrogantly blowing off the media in press conferences.

A year later, nonetheless, he is still hiding behind the shadows to avoid bad publicity and further humiliation. His inability to win a major is unbelievable in a sense, finally realizing that the only way to essentially restore perception as a flawless golfer is by ending a staggering drought. The former No. 1 golfer, before he was shamed and publicly humiliated, hasn't won at Augusta since 2005. Never thought he would have gone more than 16 months winless in a tournament.

He's suffered a fall from grace and endured the worse drought in his wondrous career, dating back to 19 months without a PGA Tour title and has been winless at Augusta for his longest losing streak in four majors, albeit in that span no doubt, he tried to commonly refrain from the public and evolved into a better person. That hasn't happened. That's because Woods is absolutely arrogant and moody, lacking a good personality and moral judgment something which has paralyzed his reputation.

Whatever you believe, we should realize that he'll NOT win another major, not in the age when TMZ cameras will attempt to ruin his opportunity of capturing an adorable milestone, not in an age when he is sexually disturbed and frustrated, not in an age when modern media are ripping Woods of his foolishness. Besides, he's not the invincible golfer everybody once knew, almost obviously, when he's having difficulty focusing on the fairways after his outrageous divorce.

This time, Woods can believe in miracles and aim for a historic comeback, which is trying to place a rupture past behind him by winning charmingly in the most noteworthy major event in the sport. We are long past the Woods era, slowly watching the post-Woods era.

No green jacket? And if Tiger doesn't ever win again, he won't ever erase the ruination of infidelity. So much for Woods being the cleanest athlete. If anything, he's the most infamous athlete we've ever seen.

Phil Mickelson Resonates the Happiest Ending With Wife Amy

In a week when all the brouhaha surrounded Tiger Woods, how he’d respond and contend in his return to the course for the first time since the ghastly sex scandal was an ultimate concern, which deterred any optimism of an inspirational ending at Augusta.

This was an event consisting of infatuation, converting into a public scene with the world’s greatest golfer finishing fourth after returning from a five-month, chaotic hiatus.

In a sport that needed a touching story, Woods uplifted humanity as spectators applauded him everywhere he walked on the course, ecstatic that he returned and recovered from the hellish months.

But in the end, the focus of attention at the Masters wasn’t Woods’ stupendous comeback or potty mouth that ignited an outburst and begot a fuss. Rather, all the recognition turned to Phil Mickelson, a famous golfer and Woods's nemesis who won his third Masters by three strokes.

As much as Tiger hijacked the scene with his eye-opening first two rounds in the midst of his jarring status on-course and everyday life in general that is mired in tumult, all spectators dismissed the soothing and heartwarming opportunity Mickelson had finalizing an inspirational storyline at the Masters.

Amy Mickelson, Phil’s wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been battling the deadly disease with chemotherapy sessions and resting in hospital rooms petrified. Never has jubilation exposed much emotion at Augusta National, endless tears of happiness and romantic hugs and kisses between a husband and wife, whom battled through adversity the last year.

It was the first time in 11 months that Amy traveled to witness her husband deliver a special win, collecting his third green jacket. She dripped tears behind the 18th green, proud of Phil’s accomplishments in a golf tournament he almost eagled three consecutive times Saturday, which gave him a cushion heading into the final round Sunday.

There’s no longer much conversation surrounding Tiger’s potty mouth or sex scandal that has marked his image to some extent. There’s no longer much gossiping about Woods affairs with mischievous bimbos, deceiving his wife, Elin, of his infidelity.


As of now, Mickelson captures adulation by winning his fourth major championship, finally capitalizing on the grandest stage.

It’s almost a glance at redemption, rebounding from a horrendous collapse at the Masters a year ago when he gaffed on the final day of competition. But this time, he prevailed seizing an inexplicable moment. His ailing wife cried when he rolled in his final shot, warm and delighted with her husband’s dramatic turnaround, in which he had finally sustained immortality.

Last year at the U.S. Open, he vowed to win at Bethpage Black and receive the grand prize to place it near Amy’s hospital bed, but dropped and stumbled against Lucas Glover. Four years ago, Mickelson was en route of capturing a victory at the Open, but ill-advisedly blundered in the tee box on a stroke that bounced off a tent.

Over the years, he has been unfortunate, descending in the late stages to lose out on a major championship. There were many rooting for him, even though Woods was pampered with much eulogy.

In the galleries, there were friendly fans pulling and cheering on Mickelson, every time he teed off on the fairways. It was fascinating that he was fearless and unflappable, slapping a shot between two trees on 13, leading to a birdie that organized a win.

The imagery from Mickelson was sentimental, suddenly at ease with fewer afflictions and a problematic crisis that has battered a distress family. In reality, he soothed a difficult scenario to bear with, building upon inspiration in his highest and most meaningful win of his golfing career.

Some will admit that Mickelson’s win resonated the sweetest sporting story in ages, relighting happiness for his wife and mother, who are both fighting breast cancer. This tournament has typified a memorable finish at the 2010 Masters, as many embraced Woods of contending in his return, but also viewed a romantic panorama at the end between Mickelson and Amy.

“I want to recognize my family,” Mickelson said. “My wife has been through a lot this year, and it means so much to us to share some joy together. She’s an incredible wife and an incredible mother, and she has been an inspiration for me this past year in seeing what she went through. I’m so happy that she and our three kids are here. It was such an emotional week, and I’m having a hard time putting it into words.”

Later, Mickelson talked more about his wife’s health status, in which her prognosis seems hopeful and promising of an enduring and healthier status. But cancer is an obscure illness that has a chance of reoccurring, despite experiencing chemotherapy.

“It’s been tough. It’s been tough,” Mickelson said repeatedly. “As I’ve said, we are fortunate long term, but the meds that she has been taking have made it very difficult, and she didn’t feel well. She doesn’t have energy, and she’s just not up for a lot of what this tournament can provide.

"To walk off the green and have her here to share this moment and share the joy of winning on 18 and to share this with my kids is something we’ll look back on the rest of our lives. This means so much to us, the jubilation. It’s very emotional. I don’t usually shed tears over wins.”

It’s not about the win, but it’s the magnitude of the win. He pulled it off for his uptight family, encountering anxiety and heavy burdens, unsure of a treacherous health condition involving a wife to a popular golfer and his children.

Long ago, Mickelson was criticized for lapsing in tournaments during Tiger’s absence, a point within a prominent pursuit that he presumably could have obtained winnings and eminence.

For a long period in time, Mickelson has been enveloped in the company of Woods, who has been saluted as an iconic golfer and the greatest athlete, stealing stardom with the sudden impact he delivers in the sport, even though he slept with damn near every waitress, stripper, porn star, and any other bimbo.


But now the noticeable transformation in golf happens to be Mickelson’s emergence at perfect timing. He hijacked the scene by reducing much hoopla about Woods. The title of best golfer in the world will always belong to Woods, but in the meantime, Mickelson is the best golfer with a monumental defeat to break away from the worrisome struggles that delayed fruition in prior major tournaments.

“Phil, I’m proud of you,” Masters chairman Billy Payne told him at Butler Cabin.

We’ve seen Mickelson at striking distance, at his very best in these Masters. In such a high-spirited mood, he fired a shot that landed within three feet of the hole, fueled with his unstoppable momentum and aggressive strokes.

In striking distance, Mickelson missed the putt, which would have been his third eagle in two days, but reprieved by making a birdie and possessing a two-shot lead over Lee Westwood and Anthony Kim, the 24-year old golfer who climbed the leaderboard in the late rounds.

Meanwhile, Mickelson pulled it off, not just for himself, but his wife. In what seems like a late win, it wasn’t too late for Amy. Seems an inspirational scene uplifted spirit at Augusta, when a committed, selfless golfer wins it for his lovely family.

That is, Phil, of course.

Tiger Engages in Obscenity to Lose Composure as Phil Mickelson Rises

It was a radical shout, heard with intense emotions and limited composure of Tiger Woods when he’s frustrated and delivers a poor performance. Not sure why spectators are stunned with his symbolic demeanor when he has a setback and lapses at the worst possible time. He can get away with foul language, but has clearly forgotten to tone down the profanity, in a sport most citizens perceive him as the influential model, even after his despicable and grotesque scandal.

Earlier in the week, he was the same man who constantly mentioned and overstated at times, that he was aiming to lead by example and have “respect for the game” in his return to the Masters. If so, he wouldn’t have engaged in obscenity at Augusta, on the beautiful surface where spectators welcomed Woods back with continuous standing ovations, thrilled of his fast recovery and mental approach on the game. This is clearly a staggering scene, surviving five months of hell with undying turbulence, which doomed his image and put a marriage in bedlam.

As he continues to intrigue us all, still in position to win his first title at the Masters in five years, Woods created uproars in his recent outburst on Saturday. This is something the crowd never anticipated, unless an individual who deeply despises him ever since his sex scandals stained believability. But more than anything, Woods wasn’t even supposed to be anywhere near contention, let alone sound off vulgarly at the mouth. If there’s one awful thing to scold Tiger about, it would be his pathetic language, which leads to trouble and creates an animus argument.

Eventually, we come to an understanding that he really didn’t mean any harm, later apologizing for his unnecessary swearing. From his struggles Saturday, it may have dictated Tiger’s fate, in which he may not win after all. From losing his composure, he’s no longer the favorite of fitting for a green jacket after an errant tee shot on six. While almost every one is rooting for Tiger and turning a sporting event into a publicity scene, Tiger is suffering from another collapse, presumably losing his touch when he bogeyed and started yelling “TIGER WOODS, YOU SUCK!”

Off to a brilliant start, a credible Woods presented an astonishing landscape at Augusta National, the center of attention everywhere he walked on the course. At a refreshing scene, in a friendly environment, Woods was greeted and cheered by thousands, but stumbled in the third round. In a week that he was given much adulation, he finally faltered in the critical round of the Masters, needing to recapture poise and dignity. And if so, he’ll enlarge stability and mental capacity to expectedly contend by Sunday afternoon.


His arrogant mouth has gotten him in trouble at the prominent golf course, on brink of losing again at the Masters, where he has had misadventures in recent memory. He has drawn more attention by bickering, rather than keeping his vow to minimize swearing on-course and maintain his ill-temper behavior of exploding in the midst of a triumphant moment. He has a potty mouth, a dirty mouth, once again acting out of character.

Rather than thinking before he reacts, Tiger reacts before thinking. In these Masters, he has experienced a frustrating round, falling to his nemesis Phil Mickelson. Maybe this is his time to take home a green jacket, ousting a five-shot deficit and has climbed the leaderboard as the top contender for his third green jacket. There’s Lee Westwood, currently at 12-under par and atop the leaderboard at Augusta, with Mickelson only five shots behind after making back-to-back eagles on 13 and 14.

Any golfer could rise into contention at this point. Woods seems to be suddenly declining, losing morale on a day where nothing worked in his favor. He was angry that a shot fell short of the flag, rolling 12 feet down a hill and rested in an unfavorable spot on the green. He was forced to take another shot, but even worse than before, it rolled past the hole and missed for a par.

Then, he bogeyed and dropped to 6-under. That was enough to make an irritable Tiger scream out loud, and curse in despair. Never did he toss his iron stick, but he was infuriated with himself, scowling, and screaming when he lapsed. Throughout the day, Woods became angrier, never finding his way back, but somehow managed to salvage his to third. By the seventh round, Tiger was agitated and fatigued with his struggles, mad with the world and himself. When he arrived at the 18th hole, the spectators applauded Woods, despite his ill-tempered attitude.

Is Tiger sure he’s a form of Buddha?

From Five Months of Hell, Tiger Transcends To Stardom at Masters

On a typical sunny day at Augusta National, Tiger Woods was permitted with much praise.

At Amen Corner, the beautiful scenery on the grandest greenery, populace sat calmly anxious to witness a rekindled Woods renew splendor at the greatest event on the PGA Tour.

On this day, Tiger transcended, yet, as the prominent golfer, and walked from the 11th green to the 12th tee.

The masses greeted him with warm receptions and roared at him, urging him to give a friendly wave and his customary fist-pumps. In return, he has hijacked the sport this weekend, orchestrating astonishing golf and mounting his chances of winning his fifth Masters. The amiable supporters’ greetings and cheering has alleviated much uneasiness and hostility that an irritable individual affirmed. But the scene at Augusta has been peaceful over the last few days, and Woods has been able to withstand the anticipated drama from a disgruntled and senseless critic who hired a plane that carried a repulsive banner stating abhorrent words relating to his sex-scandal.

Besides a plane circling the course to annoy Tiger, it turns out his image never relinquish and isn’t impaired at the late stages of his career. That’s assuming Tiger is a changed man, an honest and sincere family man, a better man appreciating his supporters. Each of his forgiving fans gazed from the galleries, watching for the glamorous moment. The crowd has paid tribute to an embattled Woods, deeply forgiving him of his extramarital affairs. Of course, the average populace disapproves of his degrading infidelity that has traumatized children across the world.

It’s amazing how most children from our society perceived Tiger as a world-class athlete, but even greater, a world-class idol and role model with a flawless reputation. In a civilized country, he has been a charitable worker establishing the Woods’ foundation to contribute and give back to the less fortunate. During a miraculous golfing career, Tiger committed a mistake no one ever imagined, disappointing his wife, Elin, and dismayed his two children. It’s unbelievable that his presence means much to the Masters, an exalted event, where he maintains dignity and aplomb, still dominating the greenery as if nothing awful has manufactured in his lifetime.

It’s obvious that his life won’t ever fully recover, but he’ll be the landmark of golf until he decides to depart a sport he declared fame. Even though he slept with porn stars, pancake house waitresses and ill-behaved bimbos, a notorious scandal would leave a stain and a career in tatters, but he’ll have the mentality and talent to prevail on the grandest stage. For the rest of his regime, he’ll be labeled as a serial sex-addict, as well as the greatest golfer on the planet.

It was absolutely perfect timing for Tiger to make a comeback, now on a mission to be fitted for his fifth green jacket and inch closer to the Jack Nicklaus’ record-setting 18 major titles.

When it seemed that his career was tarnished, Tiger has returned to prominence, suddenly decreasing the nightmarish images and rejuvenating a heartwarming tale. During an age when golf acquires very little heed, a redemption story pertaining to a magnet megastar aids a dull sport. The public has welcomed back Tiger, but it’s a mutual perception and turned into a beautiful publicity scene, a refreshing turnaround for a man who has been marked as a sex-addict.

Near the tee at No. 3, he stopped and shook hands with a 4-year old girl. In the wake of a five-month scandal, Tiger has been pleasant interacting with all populace. This hideous scandal didn’t affect the way fans classifies the world’s greatest athlete, adored by many for his courage and exhilaration that he publicizes in the game. Returning to a competitive sport, Tiger wants to win at Augusta, a site where he has been luckless and hasn’t won a green jacket in five years. But now, he’s aiming to rebound, currently within two strokes of British leaders Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.

The masses aren’t holding a grudges, understanding the temptations are immense. Eventually, we gather a sense that he committed poor judgment, but was vulnerable just as the rest of them of violating martial vows. Not thinking much about the past, Woods is focus on winning the entire event, stroking a 2-under-par 70 to enter the third round tied at fourth. After all, he’s the God of golf, just as Michael Jordan was the God of basketball or as Babe Ruth was in baseball.

It’s the Masters, similar to the World Series or NBA Finals, where Woods hijacked the spotlight, since slamming into a fire hydrant and neighbor’s tree on Thanksgiving weekend when TMZ debilitated his stardom.

As he gradually moves on the leaderboard, Woods is on pace to win the Masters, revealing to the world why he’s the greatest among all golfers and why he magnetizes an entire event.

“Well, I felt that I could put myself in contention, “Woods said. “My practice has been really consistent and progressing with Hank [Haney]. And as I said, I didn’t have the luxury of playing tournaments coming in here. So I had to be more focused on my practice sessions coming into it and then take more out of them than most people would.”

It seems eccentric that Woods is in contention, missing five months worth of action as well as confronting the dreadful scandal.

If he emerges to sustain triumph with a win, Woods’ career might be tarnished, but not stained, as he’s adored by millions.

So right now, the leaderboard indicates that Woods can win.

Tiger Can Win, Put Infamous Mess Out of Its Misery

The gusty winds howled, and then tornado warnings added nervous reactions, as well as tension in Tiger Woods’ return to the glamorous greenery at Augusta National. Wearing his stylish purple striped shirt, with his customary Nike cap, Tiger hasn’t really thrown a hissy fit. And normally, his stare is intense with self-confidence and poise of dominating and taking over the greatest-golfer-on-the-planet role.

But it’s only normal for a man who has been scolded by the media and Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National, of his horrible sex scandal that stunned the entire world. This wasn’t supposed to happen to an authentic family man, understanding the significance of family values and being a positive role model to children. On this day, he found himself, not only trying to protect his image, but keep a vow with children and continue running his educational center.

The same people who paid Tiger warm recognition and rooted from the galleries, or speaking malign of the world’s greatest golf. But there was no one more disgusted or spoke sternly of Woods for living a lie and committing adultery with his blindsided extramarital affairs than Payne. He walked into the conference room sitting before reporters, disappointed and embarrassed of a popular golfer’s image being immune to controversy. In a sense, Tiger’s marriage and image are in tatters, an ongoing situation that Payne dwelled on and singled out Woods.

No one ever knew that he lived two lives as a sex-addict, having sexual activities with waitresses, porn stars, and rumor has it, he had sex with a 21-year-old in his Isleworth community. If you are willing to remove the nightmarish trauma of Wood’s egregious sex scandals, all the brouhaha traveled to Augusta, where his presence was noticed with the exception of populace gazing from the galleries sensing true remorse and a recovery from Tiger.


It takes much courage for a man to face the public and media, since his outrageous scandal shocked the sports world. But he has admitted and blamed himself of his wrongdoing, ready to contend for his fifth green jacket at the Masters and chase Jack Nicklaus’ record-setting 18 major titles. For the first time on Wednesday, we witnessed Tiger stare at the public. He was uneasy as a normal citizen would be, after committing ghastly transgressions against his wife, Elin. Just a year ago, he was rehabilitating from reconstructive knee surgery, but now he’s recovering from a mental sickness that placed his spotless reputation in tatters.

The warm greetings and amiable receptions from fans enhance his status, in such a way that his image isn’t tarnished or stained. And with the latest release of his Nike ad, you’d think he’s the cleanest and assessable sporting figure, setting positive examples. That is until you hear the commercial ad. Before he teed off in the first round of the Masters, he and Nike launched a controversial television commercial, not to promote his products, but to send sorrow for a messy episode. His late father Earl Woods is speaking to his son of his infidelity, an edited commercial featuring the voice of a disappointed father who raised his son to be the wise man we all believed in.

“Tiger, I am more prone to being inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything.”

This was unnecessary and irresponsible of Nike. The point is, this is a bad way to sell a product by hearing a top-class athlete scolded by his father for the disturbing revelations. The company isn’t leading by example, instead selling its merchandise with an ill-spirited campaign to raise its profit. It was a foolish stunt, enough to make us cringe.

Aside from his affairs with pancake house waitresses, porn stars and an alleged neighbor, he’s the heart and soul of the game. Not to overstate or condone poor judgment, but he’s the best golfer on the planet. He took a bad turn by approving an idiotic advertising campaign, on the day he tried revitalizing his legacy and focus strictly on his game. Shortly before he teed off on the first hole Thursday, a plane overhead carried a banner that read “TIGER: DID YOU MEAN BOOTYISM?"


There’s no stripping his talent or shrewd mind. He plays the game with dignity, intelligence and a sense of urgency, stealing the spotlight with breathtaking shots, clutch finishes, and momentous wins. If he played on one leg at the U.S. Open two years ago, then we should have suspected that he wouldn’t have had a tough first round, even though he’s bothered with scandals, a ruckus that usually takes away a mental mindset.

There’s not a moment the hiatus delayed his robust capabilities, or affected his indomitable way to approach a sport that requires a mental state of mind. Back on the greenery for the first time in 144 days, he still had the balance and readiness to hit on the fairways and greens, breaking 70 and pumped his fist at times, a customary ritual that identifies Woods.

On a gusty, overcast afternoon and light showers, he made two eagles and birdied an awe-inspiring shot, carding a 68, the first time in 16 opening rounds at the Masters that he scored under 70. He might play better under adversity, perhaps similar to Kobe Bryant when he averaged multiple 50-point games while leaving back and forth for court on alleged rape charges.

The galleries crazily shouted, and one man uttered “Make us proud!” The masses were roaring loudly, thrilled to see him make an impact at the Masters and deliver on critical shots entering the second round at 4-under par and only two shots behind leader Fred Couples.

“It was unbelievable, the whole day,” said Woods. “The people, I haven’t heard them cheer this loud in all my years here. It certainly helped keep my spirits up because I was certainly missing a bunch of putts in tough conditions.”

He could win this damn thing, folks.

I wouldn’t count him out.

“Why play if you don’t think you’re going to win?” Woods said. “If I don’t think I can win, I won’t enter the event.”

It appears that winning is a slim chance, based on his turbulence in the last five months. The last four years he went 0-for-4 in majors, and relapsed a year ago on his final two holes in the Masters. There’s much cheering from the supporters witnessing a resurrect Tiger from the galleries, as well as security impersonating golfers to protect him of mishap. So he can win this four-day event, at a honeymoon where he has a love affair with the cheerful and forgiving fans.

The world still adores the man after all of his troubles.

Keep in mind, he can win.

Tiger's Love Affair with Fans Keeps Image Intact

He arrived on time to Augusta National, at the beautiful scene of the most admirable golf course on a sunny afternoon, ready to contend and attempt to win his fifth Masters and aim closer to Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles. A few days ago he addressed reporters when he walked into the interview room, where they sat in a tight atmosphere.

It was a hectic scene as reporters were interrogated Tiger Woods, whose image and marriage are in tatters after his extramartial affairs. Not long ago he let down and misled an entire nation that believed he was not only the world’s greatest golfer, but the world’s greatest icon and a role model operating an educational center for promising children.

During a four-day honeymoon at Augusta National, a large number of fans—as well as journalist—will stare from the galleries, interested to see how ongoing distractions and martial issues affect his performance at the most influential golf tournament of all. Of late, there haven't been bitter or resentful supporters despising Woods for his notorious sex scandals.

As expected, the public reacted with warm receptions, thrilled about his return and gathering clear evidence that he’s the cause of the sport’s resurrection. Fans from all parts of the world became drawn to the sport because of Tiger; fascinated with Tiger’s fist-pump, animated postured, heart-stopping finishes, and impressive victories. All of his astounding milestones amplified the game’s attendance and his presence alone draws tremendous television ratings, enhancing the popularity of a dull event.

If his believability and credibility have dwindled, he’s still the center of attention. If he’s living a lie, Tiger still absorbs all the attention in this weekend’s festivities. He’s no different than previous athletes who committed transgressions and had dismantled images.

It’s easy to postulate that Woods’ eminence has decreased in less than a year of infidelity. Not long ago he spoke publicly for the first time since his auto accident at a news conference, and most of the masses assumed that his comical and insincere speech was rehearsed to reassemble corporate sponsors and reaffirm a robust status.

For now, things might be irrelevant until he actually takes the course and tees off Thursday for the first time since a contemptible scandal. So he ventures in a four-day event, attempting to end a troubling mess and reduce all the negativity by being fitted for his fifth green jacket. He needs a win badly to mitigate the woes and idiocy that have smudged the one golfer the world truly admired before his hellish sins.

But the United States is truly a forgiven country. For instance, he smiled when an amiable crowd waved at him. In response, someone shouted “go Tiger,” and in return, he gestured thumbs-up. It’s good to know that he has a love connection with fans, not mistresses revealing shocking details to paralyze his reliability.

“I’m just trying to be more respectful of the game and acknowledge the fans,” Woods said. “I haven’t done that in the past few years, and that was wrong of me.”

He wants to act in a classier manner, limiting his unnecessary tantrums. Maybe he’ll think before flinging his iron stick or using profanity whenever he’s frustrated. For this weekend in particular Augusta National has beefed up security—in the event a mistress arrives? Oh, I don’t know.


His goal over the next four days is to win. That’s how he’ll revitalize his popularity and credibility. It has been discovered too often in the world of sports—from Kobe Bryant’s rape charges, to Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring, to Michel Jordan’s gambling addiction, and now to Tiger’s sex scandal—that winning resurrects popularity. For the first time since the scandal, he was greeted pleasantly by thousands; embraced for coming back recovering from a mental sickness that has put a legacy in shambles.

He just needs a win at a major to save his legacy, which has been tarnish by reports of all the affairs with strippers, porn stars, waitresses, and whoever else Tiger may have had sexual intercourse with. His name has recently been linked to further infamy as well. The apparent relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, a Canadian who divulged that he used human growth hormone for more than 10 years, and who is currently being investigated for supplying unlawful drugs in Canada and the U.S., has left Woods' state of credibility in disarray.

He met with Galea, allegedly, when he tore his right Achilles’ tendon in December of 2008 while rehabilitating from reconstructive knee surgery. Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, received a phone call from federal investigators about the alleged incident. But according to Mr. Woods he’s innocent.

“He did come to my house. He never gave me HGH or any PED’s," Woods said. “I’ve never taken that my entire life. I’ve never taken any illegal drug, ever, for that matter.”

There’s not enough evidence to take down Tiger in this one. So imagine if he wins the Masters, all of the mess that would be lessen as the masses move forward, embracing his artistry and performances on the greens. If he used performance enhancers, then his career could be in jeopardy. While he’s gradually receiving his endorsement deals back, he could lose each and every one for disgracing his integrity. But we may never know the truth, as we’re eager to move forward, putting a perplexing past to rest.

“So many fans have supported me over the years,” Woods said. “I just wanted to say thank you to them, especially going through all of this over the past few months. It really put things in perspective for me and how much I have appreciated—or underappreciated—the fans and the game of golf.”

He’s a changed man who is learning not to take things in life for granted and to appreciate life in general. He was surprised and relieved hearing the fans’ reactions, while he seeks redemption and a remedy for his horrible mistakes as a man.

“I didn’t know what to expect with regards to the reception, and I tell you what, the galleries couldn’t be nicer,” said Tiger. “I mean, it was just incredible”

I bet.

Now he just needs another win to add to his historic resume. But there’s no doubt, he’s golf’s beautiful landmark.