Emotional scenes as the Tiger roars back
EVERYBODY LOVES a comeback story in sport, where a competitor limps out from the depths and somehow rises like a beautiful phoenix from the grey ashes.
Names like Muhammad Ali, Niki Lauda and Monica Seles immediately spring to mind, great champions who came through life-altering events before clawing their way back to the top, but there can be few, if any, greater stories of redemption than what millions around the world witnessed on Sunday as Tiger Woods rolled back the years to become Masters champion in Augusta, capturing his first major title in eleven years.
Only the most optimistic of Woods’ fans could have envisaged that we would see days like this again, when arguably the greatest golfer ever was submerged in almost unbearable darkness due to injury and personal problems.
I’ll admit that I’m not a major fan of golf, but I am a fan of majors, if you catch my drift. Most weekends I’d be oblivious to whether Rory McIlroy is ripping up the course or not, or if Jordan Spieth is sinking putts like nobody’s business, but when the big events come around I always sit up and take notice.
I’m guessing there’s many more like me and it’s not unique to golf, as I have a similar relationship with tennis, and wouldn’t be aware of much that goes on outside the Australian, US and French Open tournaments, and Wimbledon.
The major events have something special about them that even the casual observer can buy into, and when Tiger is in with a real shout the event suddenly becomes box office.
The American certainly has his flaws and has had to deal with the shame of his indiscretions in the blinding glare of the public eye, but when the eyes of the world were on him again for the right reasons he dealt with the pressure superbly.
It was his fifth Masters title, his first since 2005, and was all the more impressive when you consider that it was the first time he has ever come from behind on the final day to win a major championship.
The 43-year-old held his nerve when all around him seemed to be losing theirs, showing steely-eyed determination and calmness, while Francesco Molinari spent more time in the water than Michael Phelps on an up and down day, as others like Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka threatened to get their arms into the green jacket, but ultimately couldn’t get past the coat-tails of Woods.
A rejuvenated Woods was still a long way from the brilliant best of his hey-day and rode his luck on occasion after some wayward shots off the tee, but after his struggles few would begrudge him a slice or two of good fortune, and it bodes well for whatever is left of his career that he can still win one of the big prizes below his peak.
The outpouring of emotion when he sank the winning putt was borne out of years of frustration as he battled physical problems, not to mention some pretty imposing inner demons. He roared with the carefree abandon of the animal that shares his name, and this Tiger was in no mood to be caged as he released a litany of hurt.
The scenes around the 18th green were a joy to behold as Woods warmly embraced his nearest and dearest as the resounding chants of ‘Tiger, Tiger, Tiger’ filled the Augusta air.
Woods, with 15 major titles, may still be three behind Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record of 18, but given the way he dominated the game in his pomp, striking fear into his opponents, it’s hard to argue against him being the greatest.
Sunday’s victory only strengthens that belief, and after bridging a gap of more than a decade, the Tiger is back on the prowl and is clearly hungry for more major success.
The rest of the golfing world will now have an almighty battle on their hands if they wish to tame him.