Tiger Woods and the Masters 2010

So what did we learn about Tiger Woods return during the US Masters?
First- we learnt that all the talk about golf coming second to his rehabilitation and his goal to become a better person is no more than a good media sound bite. Golf... And winning at golf... Is still one consuming passion in his life? Whether or not he has his other passions under control, it was obvious that his passion to win major tournaments and to be the best still burns as brightly as ever.
Golf should be grateful for this, even if others aren’t. The press did hold stories that his wife was furious with his decision to return to golf so early, after his promises to put the family first. Who knows if these are true, but her absence from his side continues and rum ors of impending divorce are now growing.
Also, sadly (for me), some of the less pleasant aspects of that passion were still on show. He scowled, he swore, he spat and he dropped (better word than “threw”) clubs around. His realisation that he needed to interact with his fans more was strangely served by the decision to wear dark sunglasses between every shot and on the walks from green to tee. I had never seen him do this before- doesn’t inspire confidence in his desire to be more open with the crowds.
We also got reminded that tournaments are a lot more exciting when Tiger is in contention. He hit some shots that may number amongst the worse shots I have ever seen a PGA tour professional hit. I could have comfortably out driven him on the 13th in the final round- yet he still made a birdie. Carelessly three putting from four feet on the 14th is followed by an eagle three on 15. In case we had forgotten- the guy can flat out play and do things nobody else does. Once the rustiness is gone the rest of the PGA Tour should worry... All the records are still his for the taking.
So you don’t have to like him, you don’t have to admire him as a person, in fact there are very good reasons not to- but you do have to admire his ability as a golfer.
You may doubt his contrition and note that his press announcements so far have been carefully orchestrated and controlled. You may wonder what will happen when he appears at a tournament that lacks the press and media control of Augusta, or how willing he actually is to bare his sole to the media and really be truthful with them, or answer the awkward questions that (so far) nobody has asked. Do not, however, doubt his ambition, his ability, or his dedication to achieving his goals in golf. What’s more, do not doubt the American golf fan’s ability to embrace a fallen, or flawed, hero. The man got standing ovations when he first appeared at Augusta and warm applause everywhere he went. Tiger’s return may be easier than I thought- at least from the general public’s point of view.
So... love him, hate him, admire him or whatever, he’s back and whatever else golf is for the rest of this year, it won’t be boring- and what a tournament he came back in... Exciting to a ridiculous degree and in closing let’s salute a worthy winner in Phil Mickelson. The sight of him greeting his wife after the tournament closed was unscripted and moving- and certainly beat whatever we would have seen if Tiger prevailed. Well done Phil- here’s to many more of them!