CROWD & CLEAR
Fans’ passion for Tiger has never been more obvious
THE BUZZ surrounding Tiger Woods has changed.
What once centered on a fascination of his dominance and his otherworldly talents that were so clearly above and beyond those of his competitors has transitioned into a more passionate rooting interest among fans who seem desperate to see him complete his latest comeback.
Woods, at age 42 and playing his 14th tournament of the year after a fourth back surgery, has become more relatable to the fans than he ever has been because he’s become more vulnerable than he ever was.
This is not to say he’ s morphed into Phil Mickelson or Rickie Fowler in terms of fan interaction and popularity, but the vulnerabilities Woods has displayed through his infidelity scandal and subsequent divorce, addiction to prescription pain pills and loss of his game have turned him from a feared superhero to a sympathetic figure of sorts.
The first real noticeable shift in the fan reaction to Woods came in March at the Val - spar Championship outside of Tampa, Fla., where, in the final round, Woods had a chance to win for the first time since 2013 before finishing in a tie for second.
The atmosphere was so elec- tric it felt like a major championship, not just another PGA Tour stop. It was clear the fans there felt like they were on the verge of witnessing something historic.
That vibe was ratcheted up tenfold two weeks ago at the PGA Championship in St. Louis, where the massive crowds were trying to will Woods to victory with his every swing. The atmosphere at Bellerive felt supercharged, particularly in the final round, when Woods was making a Sunday charge, shooting 64.
As in Tampa, Woods finished just short, in second place, and enters t hi s week’s Northern Trust at Ridgewood Country Club — the first of four FedEx Cup playoff events — still in search of his first victory in 39 tournament starts dating back to 2013.
But, unlike in his dominant years, when second place might as well have been 82nd place, Woods’ behavior and body language after the PGA were those of someone who felt like he’d accomplished something. It oddly felt like Woods won that week — even though he didn’t fly home with a trophy.
“This entire year has been so different,’’ Woods said Tuesday before heading out for a practice round at Ridgewood. “I’ve had excitement. I’ve had people into it over the years, but this has been so different. Go back to how everyone received me at Tampa. That was very special, and I had not received ovations and warmth like that.’’
Few could relate to Woods’ cold-blooded dominance for that decade-plus when he earned 69 of his 79 career victories.
Now, 0-for-his-past-38 tournaments, divorced with two kids, coming off a fourth back surgery and just 15 months removed from unwittingly starring in that humiliating police dashcam DWI arrest in Florida, Woods’ vulnerability now makes him a different kind of draw for the fans.
People love to root for comeback stories and they relate to vulnerabilities, because we all have them.
“I think that people are more, I guess, appreciative,’’ Woods said. “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. But I’m certainly not like I was when I was 22. [At] 42 it’s a different ballgame.’’
When it was suggested to
Woods that this year — despite being win less—might be the best of his career that has included 10 years with at least f ive victories, he concurred. And with good reason, considering the depths from which he’s come — ranked 1 , 199th in the world in December to No. 26 and a lock to be a playing member of the Ryder Cup team.
“No doubt,’’ Woods said. “To have a winless year, but to go through what I’ve gone through … man, it’s been so special to have this opportunity again. I’m certainly not taking it for granted, that’s for sure.’’
Now all there is for Woods to complete his comeback is something he perhaps did take for granted during his dominance: winning again.
“I feel my next wins are coming soon,’’ Woods said. “How soon, I don’t know, but I’m putting myself there in tournaments now, so I’m not that far away from getting it done.’’
When and if Woods does get it done again, his next win would be his 80th and tie him with Sam Snead for the most ever won on the PGA Tour. Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championship victories still remains as a distant goal for Woods, who owns 14.
Asked which of those numbers is more important to him — 18 or 80? — Woods said, “In order to get to Jack’s record, I have to pass Snead’s record. I want to make that happen. I’m close. I have been close to winning tournaments this year. I think if I keep giving myself opportunities, I’ll get the job done.’’