Tiger out of sight, not out of mind
Sidelined Woods still a major story line
Welcome to the Tiger-free Masters. For the second time in three years, Tiger Woods is missing this tournament. We probably should start getting used to this, but let’s be honest: It’s weird.
Tiger is golf. Or at least he was golf. Now he’s the ghost of golf, the game’s greatest player whose back finally gave out, the cautionary tale hovering over the first men’s major of the year as the most important player who isn’t here.
He’s missing, but he’s still very much present. There isn’t a news conference that goes by in which his name doesn’t come up. The praise showered upon him by the young men who grew up idolizing him, the same men who are now taking over the game from him, is laudatory and enlightening. It’s part news conference, part oral history.
Tiger is gone, but he’s definitely not forgotten. Having recently turned 40, he is unable to play because of his bad back, but he’s definitely not anywhere close to retired. As I said, it’s weird.
Phil Mickelson was asked Tuesday if it seems strange to him when Tiger misses a major tournament.
“Well, it’s not like we shared a