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??