The past 30 years we have watched Tiger Woods DOMINATE!!

The 2023 Masters proved to be no different – Tiger once again dominated.  Tiger proved that you do not have to win to dominate.  He dominated the attention of the patrons young and old.  He dominated the attention of TV cameras and commentators (the guys in the trucks directing traffic knew who viewers wanted to see).  He dominated in the print media long after Rahm dawned the Green Jacket.  The news of still another surgery lingers in the news…. not just the sports news.

Phil, Koepka and Rahm got the headlines, but Tiger dominated the news and people’s attention.  Tiger took to the battlefield in the uniform of a wounded veteran.  Tiger competed like a fierce warrior, never an easy par.  People could not take their eyes away from Tiger.  They flinched with each step he took; each more painful than the last.

Tiger did not win the Masters. Tiger did not even complete the third round, but Tiger made the cut in extremely tough conditions.  Recall your own reaction when Tiger was in the clubhouse at +3 with the projected cut at +2.  We all cheered as great players still on the course could not make pars on the swamp that Augusta had become.  The cut moved to +3.  (This writer believes that the Tournament Committee, secluded in a warm and dry boardroom in the clubhouse, smiled in relief, “Yes, Tiger made the cut!”)  Tiger has done it again!  He has his name on yet another Master’ record, “most consecutive cuts” 23 made at the Masters (along with Gary Player & Fred Couples).

On Saturday, we all watched Tiger, dressed in a stocking cap and dragging a leg; we knew he could not win.  Deep down we knew that he could not compete for the championship.  Yes, we had to admit Tiger looked like a tired old man overmatched against, a toughened-up, Augusta National.

Deep down we love Tiger and we’re making excuses for him.  “If the weather was better, he could compete.  If he had not had that last accident.  If he could just catch a break.”

When the horn sounded on Saturday afternoon Tiger, our hero was 22 strokes behind Koepka, the leader, and in last place among those who made the cut.  The image of Tiger in a winter cap in last place on the scoreboard is a sad ending for the most popular sports figure of all time. 

The fact that Tiger was in the field caused more golfers and non-golfers to tune in.  Tiger has undefinable IT!

Each of us has our own personal lifetime defining moments.  Those moments in history when time stops – like a snapshot – and becomes an indelible memory. 

How many of your personal lifetime defining moments include Tiger Woods?  In this writer’s mind Tiger has created more of those defining moments than any single human who has ever lived.

The list is long but let this writer share a few – 

1. The most recent, watching Tiger (his father’s clone) and Charlie (his father’s clone) compete on the annual PNG Father and Son Championship. Every father felt that bond that has developed between Tiger and Charlie.  Tiger and Charlie did not win but they dominated!
2. Tiger’s victory in the 2019 Masters. Tiger, the wise old veteran, who out thought and managed his game to victory.  Again!  The emotion shared between Tiger and Charlie.  Tiger dominated!
3. Tiger’s chip-in birdie on 16 during the final round of the 2005 Masters. The final, full second, rotation of the golf ball that made the Nike Swish famous.  That single golf shot is the most dominate golf shot ever hit.
4. Tiger’s 12 shot victory at the 1997 Masters and the emotional hug with his father Earl. Tiger dominated!
5. Tiger’s 15 shot US Open victory at Pebble Beach. Nobody remembers who was second.  That Championship is the most dominate victory in golf history.
6. Tiger’s defiant fist pump as the ball dropped in the 19 hole US Open victory over Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines. Tiger dominated on one leg.

Tiger’s dominance is already affecting the future of golf.  There are already odds makers in Vegas who are betting on Charlie, following in his father’s footsteps, winning the Masters. 

Charlie the still adolescent son of the most dominate golfer of all time has big shoes to fill.  Talk about pressure, Charlie has a full plate.  The speculation will continue as Charlie tests his game against the growing number of great junior golfers worldwide. 

This writer believes that Charlie has the genes to become Tiger tough.  Tiger/Charlie dominant.

If there is a chink in Tiger’s armor, it is his relationship with women.  That fact alone keeps Tiger from being the perfect role model.  Think of the two American golfers that Tiger is compared to, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.  Arnie & Winnie and Jack & Barbara are discussed as a couple.  The humanitarian good they have done together during their post tournament golf career.

The Masters draws the largest and most loyal television audience of any golf tournament.  We all have our personal reasons for watching.  The fact that Tiger, “The Invincible” was even in the field after countless surgeries, to rebuild his broken body is a testament to Tiger’s fortitude. 

Tiger’s golf tournament dominance may be at THE END, but Tiger will continue to DOMINATE!