Woods will win, because why not?

AUGUSTA, Ga. – If Tiger Woods were to somehow win the Masters this week, it would be one of the biggest sports stories of the century, and perhaps the biggest sports comeback of all time. The guy was barely able to walk a year ago. If he wins Sunday, it would be his first major championship in nearly 10 years, and, at 42, he would become the fourth-oldest Masters champion ever, behind Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw and Gary Player.

Ask him about this, about this thrilling comeback story just waiting to be written, and Woods becomes very un-Tigerlike, doing something he never used to do: deflate expectations.

“Well, I have four rounds to play, so let’s just kind of slow down,” he said with a smile. “I’ve had anticipation

like this prior. If you remember the buildup from the PGA of 2000 to the Masters of 2001, nine months of building up, what that tournament would mean. And it’s the same thing. I’ve got to go play and then let the chips fall where they may, and hopefully I end up on top. But I’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then.”

Tiger is clearly suggesting that we don’t get carried away, but I say, Why not? Why not get carried away? This is sports, and we’re supposed to have fun, so here goes: Tiger Woods is going to win the Masters.

I know. I know.

I know it’s illogical. I know it’s a long shot. I know for all his renewed strength and firepower, Tiger still hasn’t shown an ability yet to close it out on Sunday afternoons, to find that steely will to win that brought him 14 majors.

I know the field is packed with top players, many of whom grew up cheering for Tiger and now love to beat him. You can make a strong case for any of these men: Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Phil Mickelson, Jason Day.

“There’s a lot of talent in the pool now,” Day said. “There’s not really too

“Well, I have four rounds to play, so let’s just kind of slow down. ... I’ve got to go play and then let the chips fall where they may, and hopefully I end up on top. But I’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then.” Tiger Woods

many big fish anymore. There’s like just a lot of medium-large fish that are just trying to chomp at each other.”

Yes, but this is the Masters, one of Tiger’s best home games every year. He has won it four times, the last now 13 years ago, which is stunning. But even as his game has declined, he still has finished well here. Six of the nine times he has played the Masters since his 2005 victory, he has landed in the top five.

It has always been a fact that if Tiger leaves Augusta without a Masters win, his best chance to win a major for that year is now gone. Conversely, he comes here with the best chance to win a major every year.

You figure he’s eventually going to win at least one more of these. Why not this year?