Capelle On Golf

The countdown to the 2008 U.S. Open has begun in earnest. Only 47 short days until Tiger Woods and the gang meet their date with destiny at Torrey Pines. Will Tiger be primed for the challenge this 7,600 yard monster will present? Let’s hope so.

We certainly want to see the best at his best in the majors. Unfortunately, however, he is almost certain to be less than 100% for golf’s sternest test. While he could return to action in 4-6 weeks, the time required for him to get back to full force could be considerably longer. This is the human body we’re talking about, and it is somewhat unpredictable.

In 2003 Tiger returned to action 63 days after his second surgery on his left knee and won his first start at Torrey Pines. However, Torrey Pines will be a much different course for the Open. He’ll need to use his driver about 40 times in 72 holes, which will put a strain on his fragile left knee. If he has trouble hitting the fairways, an ongoing series of forceful lashes from Open style rough will further test his knee.

Tiger won five regular tour events in 2003 while on the comeback trail, but his performance in the majors was a disappointing 15t, 20t, 4t, 39t. After finishing 11 shots back of Jim Furyk at the U.S. Open, Tiger said, “I still don’t feel 100%. That’s one reason I haven’t played as much this year as I’ve played in years past.” Bear in mind that this was six months after a similarly minor procedure.

The media has been optimistically parroting the rather short recovery time mentioned above, but Tiger sounds far less convinced. In a story by the Associated Press on Friday Tiger said:

“I really don’t have a timetable for returning to competition. The doctors have said I should be able to play again in four to six weeks, but nothing is certain. I’m just going to do what they tell me to do.”

It sounds like Tiger is getting the message. It’s been reported that he’s going to cut back on the running once he’s better. And he’s going to follow his doctor’s orders. These are good signs coming from a man who likes to march to his own drummer.

It’s only 33 days till the Memorial, which is the soonest he will be playing competitively. That could be his only tune up. Two weeks later and the Open begins. It is possible he could go in cold to a tournament that’s eluded him since 2002.

Tiger is a trooper, and there is probably zero chance that he won’t play in the Open. But how ready will he be? That’s the question the golf world is pondering as we countdown the days to our nation’s championship.