Tiger still in a class of his own
PARAMUS, N.J. – In a remarkable year that started as a gigantic question mark, Tiger Woods has become an exclamation point once again.
After spinal fusion surgery in April 2017 – his fourth procedure on his back in less than three years – Woods slowly pieced together his health, swing and playing cadence and began knocking off one milestone after another.
Getting to the first tee for the first time this year at the Farmers Insurance Open in January was significant, especially after wondering if he’d ever play golf again and after playing just two rounds on the PGA Tour in two years.
With his back holding up, Woods quickly showed people this wasn’t a farewell tour as he finished runner-up in the Valspar Championship in March.
Then he played in the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship for the first time since 2015. His tie for sixth in the British Open was his first top-10 in a major since 2013. His runnerup finish in the PGA Championship was his best major result since he was second in the 2009 PGA.
And now he’s playing in the FedExCup Playoffs for the first time since 2013, the postseason jackpot of riches that he’s owned.
That is, that he’s owned when he’s played. He’s the only player to win the FedExCup more than once, capturing the title in 2007 and 2009, and has finished second and third in the six times he’s played in the postseason.
He stands 20th in the points race and is committed to playing the first three events of the four-tournament postseason, the first beginning Thursday in the Northern Trust at Ridgewood Country Club.
“I’m excited to be playing this again,” Woods said. “It’s been a long time.”
Despite being winless in 14 starts as he pursues his 80th PGA Tour title and first since 2013, Woods has turned back the clock and flashed vintage moments in a year he says has been one of his best.
It certainly has been a year unlike any other.
He’s changed his swing to adapt to his fused back. Changed putters. Fiddled with lofts and shafts on his medal Woods. Altered his training regimen. He’s also been more open with the media, more approachable with fans, happier walking down the fairways.
And while he’s always been the game’s biggest star since he joined the PGA Tour in 1996, there’s no doubt the masses that follow his every step have changed their perception and appreciation for Woods.
There are roars, there are Tiger roars, and then there have been this year’s Tiger roars, no more evident than in the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, where the sea of humanity thundered their approval as Woods made a Sunday charge but fell two shots shy of Brooks Koepka.
“I can only imagine being a fan on the couch, you get to watch the greatest player ever back out playing some great golf. And that’s truly exciting,” Koepka said. “And as a player you want the best player ever to play his best and go toe to toe with him somewhat like the PGA. I can’t tell you how it didn’t hit me until like three days later how really fulfilling that was and how cool of an experience that was.” Woods has soaked it in as well. “This entire year has been so different,” said Woods, who has vaulted from 1,199th in the world rankings to 26th in eight months. “I’ve had excitement. I’ve had people into it over the years, but this has been so different. We go back to how everyone received me (at the Valspar). That was very special and I had not received ovations and warmth like that.
“Unfortunately, I’ve gotten to know a lot of them because I’ve hit a lot of wayward balls. I’ve signed a lot more gloves this year than I have in the past.”
The loud gratitude hasn’t been lost on Woods.
“I guess everyone knows I’ve struggled and I’ve had some back pain and I’ve gone through four surgeries and I’m trying to work my way back, and it’s been tough. People understand that,” said Woods, who turns 43 in December. “I think that people are more, I guess appreciative. I don’t want to make that sound wrong or anything, but they know that I’m at the tail end of my career, and I don’t know how many more years I have left.”
What is left on the table this year is an arduous stretch that will test him. He’s in solid position to make The Tour Championship, the playoff finale, which would mean four tournaments in five weeks. He’ll likely play the following week as a captain’s pick in the Ryder Cup. It would be his first appearance in the event since 2012 – another milestone.
This week marks his 15th start in 2018 – the most he’s played in one year since he played 16 tournaments in 2013.
What hasn’t changed this year is Woods’ desire to win. While everyone marveled in his performance at the PGA Championship – he closed with a 64, his lowest final-round score in a major – Woods was disappointed in coming up two shots shy. Winning, he said, doesn’t get old.
“I have been close to winning tournaments this year,” Woods said. “I think if I keep giving myself opportunities, I’ll get the job done.”