Tiger Woods wins his 5th Masters and 15th Major- Great Comeback!

[Vash01]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/go...olf-than-his-first/ar-BBVXlHz?ocid=spartandhp

I have not seen a thread about Tiger's historic win. I think the old Tiger thread is probably in the archives.

I remember how eager people were to knock him down when he had problems- and he did have major problems- in his personal life, with his health, surgeries, not being able to play golf- the one thing he truly loves, it seems. He had to withdraw from so many tournaments, for health reasons!

Last year it seemed like he could play, but not at the level he did before his injuries. I really thought his golf career was over. Saturday night I read that he was in 2nd place, in position to challenge for the green jacket. I didn't believe he would win. Actually I had thought for the last few years that the game had passed him by, he was too old, too injured, and unable to win a major. It was a great surprise and a pleasant one as I watched him win the masters yesterday. The most touching moment was Tiger hugging his son, and they played it side by side- his father hugging him 22 years ago, and now Tiger, the father, hugging his son Charlie. It was nice to see him happy, finally.

The crowd was chanting his name. It was like the old days, but even more glorious because he beat the current top players. He is much older now, and seems to be wiser and humble (in the post game interview he said he was just plodding, focused, and he got lucky). From what I am hearing, he is happy. I hope he continues to be happy and continues to play golf at the highest level that his body allows him to. It is immaterial to me whether he wins another major or not. He may win several or this could be his last major win. Regardless, this is a great comeback story, and I love it when someone makes a comeback after a lot of struggle (remember Irina Slutskaya at worlds 2005?- or recently, Hanyu's 2018 OGM?).

So congratulations Tiger, and all the best to you.

 

[SHARPIE]

I was surprised not to see a thread this morning. I was going to start one but then realised I know sod all about golf!

 

[Lacey]

Tiger was supreme, a steady Eddie, and yes humble. He almost did not crack a smile throughout the tournament. So serious, he had a job to do each day. But I had to laugh, he was chewing gum the whole time. Must have been a nerves stabilizer. A very big congratulations to him, and so glad his mom and kids were there. And I think he was very sad that his dad wasn't, but seemed to relish the fact that he got to celebrate with his children in a somewhat bittersweet role reversal with his dad.

 

[Lorac]

I kept dipping in to the final round as I was in and out of the garden due to the final round being brought forward due to the weather fears. I wonder if being in the final group helped him and hindered the other 2 who crumbled a little? Usually he would have been in the 2nd to last group rather than the final pairing. Still he held his nerve and once he found himself in the lead he never looked as if he was going to lose it

After all he has been through and how low he went both personally and professionally it was a delight and a surprise to see him win again. And the hugs with his kids and mom afterwards were great to see as was the line of his peers who waited outside the Butler Cabin to shake his hand.

Well done Tiger.

 

[aftershocks]

Tiger, tiger burning bright at the Masters -- what a remarkable sight!

Yeah, it's really cool to see Tiger Woods coming back from such adversity, most of it self-inflicted. We all know about the private indiscretions. But even his physical problems some claim may be related to changes he made to his golf swing at one period in his career, that placed a lot of pressure on his body, particularly his back. Golf is definitely more exciting when Tiger is in the mix! This 2019 Masters win has got to be one of the greatest sports comebacks in history. I too doubted that Tiger would ever be able to win another major. But never say never! Tiger's last win at a major was in 2008. His fall from grace began in 2009. There were promising signs last year when Tiger was 2nd at the PGA Championship, and he won the Tour Championship at East Lake late last year. Tiger also briefly led at the 2018 British Open in the final round, but he ultimately faltered.

What's most remarkable is Tiger's courage in going through all the humiliation that struggling on the golf course as a fallen legend entailed, when he was not at his tip-top level. It took awhile for Tiger to surmount the mental struggles, and then the technical and physical drawbacks. He had to tweak his golf swing and he had to solve issues with his putting game. But it was the physical problems that threatened to end his career. It's pretty unbelievable that a golf athlete with a fused back (and three back surgeries) has been able to come back to win any tournament, much less a major! But Tiger also won the U.S. Open in 2008 on an injured leg, when his doctors had advised him to rest. Here is perhaps the most incredible shot ever played (2005 Masters): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZcpbsoeDZ0
Here are more iconic plays on the golf course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDl5eeWPMlo

There's lots of discussion, with some pundits eating crow, and others debating the inevitable question of whether Tiger will now be able to reach or surpass Jack Nicklaus' 18 major win record. It won't be easy because there are a lot of younger and physically stronger players on the tour these days, including Brooks Koepka, Francesco Molinari, Dustin Johnson, et al (all of whom have been inspired and/or influenced by Tiger). But Tiger apparently has found a way to overcome heavy odds and his mental mojo is alive and kicking, accompanied by a bit more down-to-earth humility, grace, gratitude. When asked about chasing Jack's record, Tiger said: "Let's just enjoy 15... 15 has been a long time coming... It's been 11 years, more than a decade not winning a major championship. Let's not wait as long."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPcUkUF2PL8

There have been other great players who have gone even longer between winning majors, including Ben Crenshaw. Tiger is also on that list, but not at the top of it.

It was cool seeing how much celebrating his victory with his Mom and his kids meant to Tiger. He has said that his son, Charlie (who has played in young boys' tournaments), has an excellent golf swing. But he also mentions that both Charlie, and daughter, Sam, enjoy playing soccer more than golf.

On the relationship front, Tiger had a number of girlfriends after he broke up his 3-year relationship with champion skier, Lindsay Vonn, in 2015. They both cited busy schedules, but there has been gossip that Tiger cheated on Vonn. He's been with Erica Herman since 2017, and they have apparently clicked in ways that matter, despite some gossip mongers characterizing her as 'a gold digger.'
https://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/...-tiger-woods-girlfriend-just-after-his-money/
If Herman makes Tiger happy, that can certainly make a difference in putting his life and his golf game together to reach a peak level.
https://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/features/the-game/tiger-woods-girlfriend-160879
https://www.golf.com/news/2019/04/14/tiger-woods-girlfriend-erica-herman/
https://www.businessinsider.com/tiger-woods-girlfriend-the-masters-2018-4
https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...n/news-story/043cbda1b5af1cb8f93c8826ae9532d6

 

[paskatefan]

Congrats to Tiger!

 

[aftershocks]

Here are two up-and-coming teenagers who are often referenced as 'next Tiger Woods,' although they both want to make their own mark in golf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ka6qktWSjU Kris Stiles (from California)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOJqaNrpmKY Robin Tiger Williams at 14 (originally from South Africa)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siBoch71MnM Robin Tiger Williams at 17, and he gets to meet his idol/ namesake

 

[aftershocks]

Here is interesting perspective on Tiger's comeback and on his personality by some Irish sports commentators:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQWbQ9BDsAo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_ZdevFKaXU

While I knew that Tiger plays golf with Trump, I didn't exactly know that Tiger is buddy-buddy with Trump. Ugh!

Of course Trump has come into close contact even with figure skaters at FSIH fundraising events, so Trump has rubbed shoulders with a lot of high profile people in business, sports, politics, and entertainment for many years. But his behavior while running for President was and is so reprehensible. I would never want to give the appearance of condoning and/or normalizing Trump's screwy behavior and attitudes. Maybe it's one thing to play golf with Trump, but to be chummy with him, or allow him to sidle up and flaunt his connection with you, is entirely another kettle of snakes.

Being friendly with Tiger, Trump tweeted congratulations after Tiger's Masters victory. And the latest is that Trump will be awarding Tiger the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hmmm. What Tiger accomplished is very impactful and affecting to many people around the world. However, I suspect that Trump, aside from being chummy with Tiger and wanting to show his appreciation, Trump is also attempting to distract, disarm and take advantage of the good favor and praise now being showered upon Tiger. The warmth the general public and the golf community is demonstrating toward Tiger is largely due to the redemptive aspects of his comeback after such a severe fall from grace. Commentators have chimed in that Tiger used to be very cold and distant toward most of the public, but that he has since mellowed, and he is now kinder in his language and behavior.

Perhaps the Presidential Medal of Freedom is in order for Tiger, but I tend to think it's a slight bit extra at this point. Still judging by the body of Tiger's work and the way he overcame calamitous struggles, he is probably deserving. But maybe wait till he ties Jack's record or when he retires... Of course, Trump wants to take this opportunity now because it will also surely give Trump some positive limelight in the process.

Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were both awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush, and Barack Obama awarded pioneering African-American golfer, Charlie Sifford, with a Medal of Honor.

 

[Vash01]

The rest of the PGA tour suddenly got interesting to me. LOL. I had not watched golf in many years before this Sunday.