Is Tiger Woods really back?
As far as relevance, yes. Dominance, no.
Woods leads the FedEx Cup standings after winning the AT&T National on Sunday at Congressional Country Club. It was the third victory in his past seven tournaments, which brought a sarcastic reply afterward from Woods that the media just months ago predicted he would never win again.
Winning is winning, but don’t confuse beating an AT&T National field nearly devoid of top players with the U.S. Open. Woods still can compete and sometimes punch through. He’s probably going to win another major or two or three in coming years.
But this wasn’t vintage Woods coming down the fairways. Indeed, he was too often on the side of fairways and left three early putts an inch short of the cup, showing a lack of confidence. Woods’ best final-round shot came when he wrapped one around a tree.
The old Woods would have sank those early putts and made the final nine holes a victory stroll instead of needing Bo Van Pelt to choke on No. 17. Then again, Woods thrives in match play, and with the field three shots behind it was just the two of them battling for the title. If they had to go to extra holes, Woods would have outlasted his foe.
Woods has become a grinder, something far more important than any new club in his bag. He now realizes those magical days when he could distance the field are over and that he must wear competitors down on Sundays. Charging from five shots back in the final round is no longer automatic.
“It’s a game that tests our patience,” Woods said. “I’ve been out here a long time, and I understand what it’s like to have to grind and fight because each shot means something because the first day, the first shot is just as important as the 72nd hole. They all count the same. That’s the mindset I’ve always had.”
Woods conceded his confidence waned over the past year as he returned from injuries and public scandal. But he knew days like the AT&T National would come and majors will eventually follow. At 36 years old, there’s still time for Woods to win five more majors and surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.
“It was just a matter of time,” Woods said of his improved play. “I could see the pieces coming together. … If you look at my ball-striking so far this year, it’s gotten more and more consistent.”
Woods and the PGA Tour desperately need each other. He simply makes Sundays more interesting.
Winning always brings redemption, and Woods certainly received it from the galleries at Congressional. The roar following his shots resonated around the course.
It’s now about golf for Woods for the first time since his 2009 car accident. We’ll see what he has left.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
