Tiger Woods is in a slump.
There is not getting around it any longer. It’s time to pull out the dreaded “s” word. It’s time for the real reporters in the interviews to ask him about his slump and “how do you plan to break out of it.”
All season long Tiger has told us he’s in the midst of a “process” whatever that means, that he’s got to stay “patient” and that it is starting to come together. In truth, his 2010 is starting to resemble 2004, a season during which he kept insisting he was “close” and that Ranger Rick would soon appear on the course. Well, Woods went winless in stroke play events on the PGA Tour that year, and it looks like he will again in 2010.
His putting has, by his own admission, been atrocious all season long. But he though he saw a ray of hope at the British Open with his driving, which he claimed was improving rapidly. Whatever. At Firestone, his home away from home and the site of 7 of his 71 wins, he has hit exactly 8 of 28 fairways in two days to rank dead last. His GIR numbers are also abysmal - he’s hit only 50% of the greens, placing him in a tie for 73rd.
His first round 74 is his worst score in 42 rounds of this event, and his second round 72 ties for second worst. So, he can’t putt, can’t drive, and he says his iron game is way off. He’s also tied for 71st, which means if there was a cut (which usually includes the low 70 and ties) he would not even be playing over the weekend.
All season long his remarks to the press have been about his game, and the process of coming back from exile. I say that is BS. His game is not in ruins because of his layoff. Heck, it only lasted from late November through Late February, at which point he was back to hitting balls.
In 2009 Woods had a big year except for the majors, winning six PGA Tour events - and he could have easily had a great year if he hadn’t tossed away the PGA in the final round. And this big year followed on the heels of a six month layoff following knee surgery.
Tiger has been deflecting his self criticism to his game. But really, his game, the poor putting, the mental mistakes that cost him the U.S. Open - the whole big mess that we get to see on the course, is really just a manifestation of the horror he must be experiencing off the course since all hell broke loose on 11/27.
Tiger, as it turns out, is tough, but not tough enough to excel at such a mentally demanding sport as golf while undergoing the stress, strain, and heartache of a life that’s in ruins.
Tiger may be through, but it is way too soon to tell. Unless, by some miracle, he rebounds to win the PGA, 2010 will become known as Woods’ Lost Season. It will be another majorless year, and an opportunity lost in his chase to become the Best Ever. Now, after 14 seasons as pros, the score is almost certainly going to read Nicklaus 14 - Woods 14.
We can write off this season because it really has more to do with Tiger’s pending divorce than it does with golf. But come next April if he is not ready to make a serious run at his fifth Green Jacket, it may be time to consider that Tiger Woods, superstar golfer, completed his majestic run of major titles with his memorable victory at Torrey Pines in the summer of 2008.
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6 responses so far ↓
1 Carmen // Aug 6, 2010 at 4:05 pm
It seems that finally people are starting to realize what I have been saying for months!!!
Tiger Woods will never be the dominant golf player he once was!!!
Tiger had his opportunity and he misused it in a very big way! He may win once in a while and regain some sponsors but his winnings will become less and less and all that will remain is the memory of his past glory! There are many good and talented young golfers out there that will give him a run for his money from now on! Tiger will continue his slow decline until he fades away into the sunset! It is time for all the new young and talented stars to shine!!!
2 Cam // Aug 6, 2010 at 10:03 pm
He’s done for this year in terms of the PGA.
My question for you Phil is how do you think he will go if he plays Ryder Cup for the USA? I know Corey Pavin said he would pick Woods if he didn’t qualify automatically, but you gotta wonder how can you pick Woods when there are a number of Americans playing a lot better and more consistent golf.
I live in New Zealand so the Ryder Cup doesn’t really affect me (I enjoy watching it), but if I was American I don’t think I would want him on my team at the moment.
3 Phil Capelle // Aug 7, 2010 at 8:07 am
Carmen - It is the big question, is he done, or is this a slump. Would love to see McIroy and the kids step up and win majors.
Cam - They won without him in 2008 and the way he’s playing, he seems like a bad pick. If he does make the team, he could easily have a losing record as the intimidation is gone, at least for now.
4 Plainer // Aug 8, 2010 at 7:25 am
As a life-time golfer, I know what Tiger is going through from the standpoint of the game. It’s equivalent to hitting shanks for no reason at all keeping you tentative with every shot you make. When that happens, I take a break from the game for several months. It gets worse if you try to fight it and you begin to dislike the game, which I want to avoid.
5 Lionsmaniac // Aug 8, 2010 at 10:12 pm
The “coup de grace” will be when some young kid in his early 20s turns his back and shows no respect to Tiger the same way Woods did to Jack about 10 years ago.
I’ll never forget Nicklaus hand on Tiger’s shoulder, and Woods twisting away and making small talk with his caddy during Jack’s final major. I almost vomited with disgust. This all done on a national broadcast.
“Karma-360″, Eldridge….and you ain’t gonna like it.
-Lionsmaniac
6 BD // Aug 10, 2010 at 5:44 am
I’m late to the party, but I agree with you, Phil. He may be done but it is too early to tell. As I’ve suggested before, I think he may be sabotaging his golf game (subconsciously) as a form of self-punishment, and as a way of rejecting the outpouring of support he has received among a large slice of golf’s fanbase — support he at some level finds perverse and despicable. He’s very angry at himself. What he has done with his life and career is tantamount to blowing a 6-stroke lead on the back nine at the PGA on Sunday with the Grand Slam at stake.
It’s possible he will never perform as an elite golfer again. On the other hand, Jack’s record isn’t at all safe at this point because Tiger had the good sense to win 14 professional majors before tanking his career. He’s young enough that he could win “just” one major every two years and still catch Jack. We’ll see.
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