Tiger Woods is irrelevant.
Is that possible?
Has the golf empire built by Woods and his late father Earl been so thoroughly damaged that its very foundation cannot withstand the pressures that have taken aim on the man and his game over these last few months?
Is he the champion he once was and heir apparent to the crown of Best Player Ever?
Questions that easily would have been dismissed a year ago are now part of the discussion.
Statements that were once ludicrous are now plausible.
Tiger is not the best player in the world. He may not even be in the top five.
Tiger Woods hits shot at 2010 U.S. Open. Photo copyright USGA/Mike Ehrmann
That top ranking that Woods still currently enjoys is all part of his old regime — the pre-personal saga Tiger, the less-than-battered body Tiger, the Tiger that intimidated the field by simply setting foot on the golf course.
It’s a testament to how much better he was than every other golfer on the planet that he still clings to the No. 1 slot.
But he is now two years removed from his last major title and since that time, Padraig Harrington (twice), Angel Cabrera, Lucas Glover, Stewart Cink, Y.E. Yang, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell and Louis Oosthuizen have all won majors.
Woods was shut out of the big tournaments last year and he’s close to repeating with just the PGA Championship left on the calendar.
And Whistling Straits may not be the best venue for Woods. The last time it hosted the tournament Woods posted a T-24.
That was 2004 and it should be noted that also extended a two-year drought in the majors as he worked through swing changes wrought by dumping coach Butch Harmon in favor of Hank Haney.
Woods then won six of the next 14 majors he played and was runner-up another four times.
But that was six years and two knee surgeries ago.
Woods will be 35 at the end of this year, which is certainly not an age that should exhibit precipitous decline, especially not with contemporary training and nutrition and technology.
But his game is nowhere near what it was.
Throw in the physical toll he’s endured and the emotional load he’s now carrying, and putting together the requisite five major victories is getting further out of reach.
Required as well is for Woods to do it during the much-tougher second half of his career.
Jack Nicklaus, the record holder with 18, won seven of his major titles from age 35 on, while Ben Hogan won eight of his nine. Sam Snead won five after 35.
But Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer didn’t win any after that point.
Woods is in that class and still possibly one of his own, but he’s clearly lost sight of the bread crumbs.
Following his self-imposed five-month exile, Woods tied for fourth at the Masters in April. Woods then stumbled in some minor events but seemingly rebounded with a fourth-place finish in the U. S. Open that included a third-round 65.
Problem was, as close as those finishes look on the leaderboards, Woods was not a factor in either tournament on Sunday.
And each event was played on courses that Woods has scorched like the local muni.
The benefit of the doubt was granted at Augusta and less so at Pebble Beach, but his showing at the British Open played on another one of his personal favorites — St. Andrews — left it clear — Woods is just one of the good players and not one of the current greats.
Oosthuizen’s runaway victory has been minimized by some, which is patently ridiculous.
Had it been Woods or Mickelson, Ernie Els or Lee Westwood, the story line would have been written differently.
The puzzler is, though, why wasn’t it Woods?
Woods set foot on the Old Course this year and was never a factor, finishing in a tie for 23rd. The last two times the Open Championship was played at St. Andrews, Woods waltzed to victory by a combined 13 strokes.
Sore neck aside, his physical ailments aren’t any greater than last year when he returned from knee surgery. Woods did not claim a major in 2009, but won six times in just 17 events which netted him his second FedEx Cup and 10th Player of the Year award.
Woods has displayed nothing that would point to similar success in 2010 and is enduring the longest victory drought to start a season in more than a decade.
The numbers don’t lie either.
Although he does not have enough rounds in the books this season for his stats to be official, Woods’ scoring average is two strokes higher than last year and his driving distance is down. He’s hitting fewer fairways and missing more greens, but it’s the putter that could be the tell.
Woods was ranked 23rd in putting average a year ago, but is 91st through seven tournaments this year. In total putts per round, Woods is 140th on the PGA Tour.
The expectation has been that Woods would turn it around in his next event, but the further he gets from his last victory the less likely that seems to happen.
Woods has got the WGC Bridgestone Invitational up next at Firestone at the beginning of August and the PGA the following week.
Ryder Cup points will be at stake and Woods is currently seventh in the standings. The top eight are automatically added to the American squad, but Corey Pavin has four captain’s picks.
It would be difficult to believe that Pavin would not take Woods if he doesn’t qualify outright, but if he can’t ensure his own spot on the team how is Woods’ game going to hold up under the white-hot intensity of the Ryder Cup in October?
The salacious details that unfolded early this year were hard to fathom, but even tougher is to accept we’ve seen the last of the greatness that is Tiger Woods.
Mike Scarr is the editor of Golflink.com. He can be reached at golflinkeditor@demandmedia.com.
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I am sure Tiger will get back in the swing of his profession. It is too bad the media has nothing to ever report unless it is negative. He has made a mistake and will pay dearly to his wife but hopefully all he gave to the game will giv eback to him and that is called support.
Have a great day Tiger.
there was a picture of a guy in a Tee shirt at the Odessa Airport in West Texas and it said
Don’t worry about Tiger Obama is screwing the entire united states.
I think that probalby is very true/
maybe the media shoudl focus on the real things that make us Americans
Tiger has lost his competitive edge. Most world class athletes have a competitive edge that separate them from the rest of the field. It will be at least til 2011 for Tiger to get back in that zone. The home front must be resolved and behind him before the competitive edge comes back. Anyone who has been through a divorce can attest to that I believe. I dont remember any championship being won while an athlete is in the middle of a divorce. I could be wrong but I can’t recall.
Tiger will be just fine. He’ll win the next major (PGA Championship) and two or three tournaments this year!
He gave a lot to this game and it’s time for us to give back as fans! The rest of the stuff he got going is his personal problem!
Tiger is one of few golfers which approach the game with an athletic strategy. Because of this his age is less of a factor and he has a great deal of time to rise for this seemingly long but relatively short recession.
Without argument he is the most athletic player on the PGA tour and once he finds balance in his life he will regain his championship status and continue to set more records.
He has endured great criticism yet continues to with his career which means he will not stop trying. I cant wait for him to shine again because I dont look forward to Sunday afternoons unless he is within reach of a victory.
I believe the media have all given Tiger a pretty fair pass as far as his performances to date have gone since the revelations last winter. We’ve all been waiting for him to break out of his funk, and it just isn’t happening. The story is a valid reflection on where Tiger goes from here – Will he EVER be the Tiger of old? This is a guy who has clearly relished a challenge throughout his career. Well, this will likely be his greatest challenge: Reclimbing the hill and reclaiming the mantle as golf’s greatest current player, maybe the greatest ever. Here’s hoping he can!
Sometimes when you lose a great mentor in life you lose your way. Some how he must remember what got him at the top, and start from the basics. You will be okay if not as a golfer than a better man
I don’t think he has given much to the game that his astute PR team and tax accountants, have not arranged and advised.
He will turn his game around as soon as his PR team tell him that the focus groups say that they perceive his slump has continued sufficiently to allow them believe that he is a warm and caring person on the inside.
For me golf is at minimum a pleasant and relaxing past-time, which precludes having negative personalities gracing the TV-screen in my house. I now simply change the channel and watch something else, when he comes on.
I hope so…now we will get a chance to see the new young guns that do not spit in front of cameras,curse, throw clubs and complain about everything in sight.
Tiger has given more to the game than any other golfer in modern history. Yes, I agree the axe is not as sharp as it once was a given. However, he caused every PGA tour player to raise their game in order to compete. This storm will pass and I am confident we will see that sharp edge in the near future. C. Blair
Concur with Neal N, too, The Association classic…”Enter the Young”.
By deed, indeed, including arrogant and boorish behavior – “ET” Woods, alas, is on the cuspidor of becoming persona passé – perhaps, something akin to old joke or symbolically appearing a pissoir for his ‘blandished’ role model status.
That mused, hey Ricky Fowler: Quit distracting from your talent!
Really, get a haircut and a cap that fits…’pants’ John Daily.
Wink, wink! >;~)=)
Golf requires total focus, and concentration, the longer you are not focused, the longer it takes to get it back. He’s got a long way to go, to get back in that zone.
I continue to be amazed at all of the so-called golf writers/journalists who have written off Tiger Woods. While there is no doubt he is not performing up to his standards-who would under the stress he has faced which by the way he totally deserves, could. As “real” golf analysts report, his game at the BO was respectible even showning some signs of recovery…of course with the exception of the putting. Look at his putting stats at the BO and if he was putting normally, he would have been near or at the top of the Leaders and could have even won. Anyway, I for one would take a wait and see attitude. If we are still talking this way this time NEXT year, maybe there will be some validity to the pundits…just not now.
Wow. Take a deep breath man! Isn’t it annoying how the media likes to build up and then eviscerate public figures with the mighty pen? Perspective people. Nicklaus endured two three year periods in his career without a major. All great players struggle. If this writer was worth a darn he would realize that and take his finger off the panic button…
most of what is going on in tiger,s game is a result of his infidelity— that,s were it began and it is up to him clean it up, than you will see a different tiger woods.
You’re crazy if you think Tiger is done. And you are just plain ignorant if you think he is irrelevant. GolfLink, please hire writers who actually know about golf, its players, and the industry. Mr. Scarr, I understand you wrote a provocative post to get hits, but don’t do it at the expense of your integrity. This is just silly. Tiger Woods is the best player on the planet, and he will will dozens more tournaments nd many more majors. If you think truly feel Tiger Woods is irrelevant, you should consider a career change.
This whole Tiger Fall was so painfully obvious and predictable years before “The Low Speed Accident heard round the World.”
Tiger Woods will not win another tournament or major until he makes real amends for his hidiuos and irresponsible behaviour.
The damage he created to his reputation and his foundation, that he and his Dad built, is basically irrepairable.
Tiger will slowly fade away. Watch.
I know John Daly wants attention, but the “Loud Mouth” clothing line just looks stupid.
Tiger built a protected shell from media invasion during the best years of his career which permitted him to be free from invasive inquiry..Now he is in the light of media question and he is not only unprepared for it but he does not like it. He wants to be responsive but as a result of the personal issues, is painfully uncomfortable. He is in a place he never has been prepared for and he has seen his best days but will not know this as he plays through the remainder of his career..
Tiger Woods has cost himself anywhere from one to three seasons of competitive championship golf at the peak of his career. He will know doubt win again and most likley win majors but the aura is gone. Many of his fellow players have admitted that the intimidation and fear they had for him is no longer there. In addition, he need not worry too much about Mickelson, Harrington and Els, rather McIlroy and Ishikawa. Those young players are extremely talented, proven winners and very hungry. Not to mention they have suffered no injuries of note and would love to be on top.
Mr Scarr is an editor, a golf journalist, (now theres an oxymoron)and he knows if he doe not write something provacative we would just keep moving across the screen. Mission accomplished Mr. Scarr. The fact that his post has so many replies answers the question about Tigers relevance. Ed I wonder who in your estimation Tiger has to make ammends to? Would you bet everything you have worked for that Tiger will fade? I wouldn’t. Trader Bob, do tell why his fall was predictable years before. I think I know what you mean, but it would be nice to hear you flesh it out.
tiger is done. without his father he is a lost soul. he is immatuer,and his mental strength is gone.good luck tiger.
Tiger Woods is without question one of the best golfers who has ever played this game. The vast amount of victories he has achieved over his professional career is testimony to this.
The impact and influence he has had on the game, both in the golf industry and among his playing peers, has been significant. Few others have advanced the golf industry and the game of golf as Tiger has.
Whether he can overcome the psychological and emotional effects of his marital issues and transgressions cannot be predicted or known at this time. The extraordinary pressures he has grown up with to strive for the level of excellence, and perhaps perfection, that he has so clearly been driven by without doubt have taken a toll on him, and will continue to impact him as he moves into the latter part of his career.
Finally, whether he can get his game back to a consistently high level and resume his winning ways is far from guaranteed. One of the main reasons for this has to do with what his pursuit of excellence has done to transform the professional game. There are many more highly talented golfers in the mix now who bring “big” game to the Tour. And much of this we have Tiger to thank for.
Having compassion and holding good thoughts for the man and his family in their healing and recovery process is the best thing we would all do well to put our attention on.