To say that Tiger Woods has had a few years to forget would be an understatement akin to saying that the Pope might be just a little bit Catholic. Since 2009, Tiger Woods has experienced an infidelity scandal, a string of injuries, being dropped by many sponsors, a divorce, and the loss of his number one world ranking. He also hasn’t won a major golf title since 2009. However, things have started to turn around for America’s most famous golfer, and some are saying that Woods is back to his old form once again. With the Masters almost here, his timing could not be more perfect.
Tiger Woods finally started to show glimpses of life at last year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, which he won in March. However he followed that victory with a poor showing at the 2012 Masters. He had two more victories in 2012, but no majors followed as Tiger still struggled to find that consistency for which he had become known. Still, these three victories marked the first year since 2009 that Woods had won any tournaments at all, so to see this was a huge boost for fans of the golfer.
2013 is the Year of the Tiger
It wasn’t until the beginning of this year that we experienced anything akin to the Tiger Woods of old. He won three of the first five tournaments that he played this year, and started to climb back up the rankings to challenge world number one Rory McIlroy, who has struggled since the start of 2013.
And the Northern Irishman’s decline has certainly helped Woods this season. The rise of the American has coincided perfectly with McIlroy’s slump, and as a result Woods is finally back on the top of the world rankings for the first time since 2009. McIlroy’s drop in form has been a surprise after the 2012 that he had, in which he won the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup with Europe, and received an MBE from the Queen. Some have speculated that it is McIlroy’s switch to Nike equipment that has taken some adjusting and altered his game slightly. Whatever the reason, he has not seemed himself this year, and Tiger Woods has been the one to capitalize.
Other golfers such as Brandt Snedeker and Phil Mickelson have shown flashes of brilliance, but no one has come close to Woods in the last couple of months.
Will Tiger Woods Win His Fifth Green Jacket?
So now we come to the true test: the Masters. Augusta was the scene of Tiger Woods; very first major win, back in 1997, and if there was any place that would provide the perfect setting for his first in five years, it would be here. He goes into this year’s tournament as the runaway favorite, and his form in the last three months has eclipsed anyone who has even come close. But the Masters will be the ultimate test. It will be the only way that Tiger can hope to cast aside his doubters and regain any sponsors. If nothing else, this year’s tournament looks to be an exciting prospect, and perhaps a historic one. Will Tiger Woods win his fifth green jacket? That remains to be seen. But can he? You better believe it.
About the Author:
Phil Oscarson is an avid golfer/golf enthusiast that loves to be with his wife and children when he’s not out on the links. If you’re looking to hit a course near you, you will always be able to find discount tee times near you on golfzing.com
Why Tiger Woods is the Hottest Golfer Going into the Masters
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