Take a Tiger by the Toe

Statistics are like bikinis; they show you a lot, just not everything.

Tiger Tiger Woods y'all in trouble. Trust me.

And what perfect analogy way to start off a blog about Tiger Woods. His miraculously terrible 74, in which only 8 players in a selective field finished behind him, just furthered my belief that he will no longer go down as the greatest player to ever hold a golf club in his hand.

This 74 and 72 does not have one single implication on why I’m feeling this way. But it does in fact give me, finally, a platform to convey my thoughts on the once touted superhuman.

Prior to his actions on November 29, 2009 everyone, including the current record holder, had no doubts that he was going to surpass the 18 major championships. But not only surpass them, but fly by them with reckless abandon, much like he did against the rest of the competition when he first turned pro.

And now, with his once Wizard the Oz actions (behind the curtain) people have come to resent Tiger. And it has hurt his game.

Long story short, he will not surpass Jack Nicklaus as the greatest, check that, most accomplished golfer of all time. It just will not be done.

And here’s why…. Golf isn’t like any other sport. It takes so much mental stability to stay in the moment but remember what you got in the bag. You might be able to slide by in any other sport as a head case, but not golf. It’s so mentally draining for the lay player that any of us to realize what it takes to be a pro is kidding them.

So Tiger, the biggest, most popular player on tour has ten times the amount of pressure on him than any other player. Now with the transgressions, ratchet that number up 1000 fold. Add the fact that he fired his coach so now all he has on his side is his New Zealand anger management pal. His limited outbursts and change in personality to maintain his image and brand. The young talent on tour waiting to pounce (haha) as the old Tiger turns gray.

And what do you have? Maybe one or 2 more majors but that’s it.

[END NOTE: Kenny Perry looks extremely slim. The last time we saw him he was falling apart at the Masters, but unlike his M.O. in the past he must have really hit the gym and committed to his health and his game. And I know he is getting old, turns 50 in 4 days, but after the year he had last year I expect him to make a run at a couple majors and get some memorabilia for his trophy case before he hits the Senior Tour.]