Why Inconsistency Will Keep Tiger from Winning

Tiger Woods has been as inconsistent as a former-best-golfer-in-the-world can possibly be, and it's going to cost him at the Cadillac Championship this week.

Rewind real quick to last week. The day is Thursday. We're at The Honda Classic in Florida and Tiger Woods has just shot a one-over(-par) 71.

OK, another mediocre round for Woods. "Not surprised," you say.

On Friday and Saturday, Woods responds with rounds of 68 and 69. Despite the small improvement, he remains nine shots behind Rory McIlroy.

"A little better, but I'm still not impressed."

But then, on Sunday, something happens: Tiger turns into the Tiger of old—the red-shirted Tiger who used to be unstoppable on Sundays. He finishes with an out-of-this-world eight-under(-par) 62. 

"He's baaaack!"

So just like that, Tiger's second-place finish made everyone forget about his mediocrity in the first three rounds.

It made them forget about his disappointing performance in match play a week earlier—and his god-awful 75 on Sunday at Pebble Beach the tournament before.

Here's my plea to you, fictional Tiger Woods fan I'm writing to: Don't get overly excited about one round of golf.

Just because Woods astounded us all with that last round in Florida doesn't mean he's not inconsistent anymore. In fact, that's what inconsistent players do: They have good days and they have bad days, the latter of which Woods has had plenty.

That became even more evident yesterday, when Woods started off the Cadillac Championship yesterday with an even 72. 

OK. Even round. Not bad, right? 

It's certainly not bad at all, but when he eagled hole No. 1, we were certainly expecting more. The old Tiger would have followed up an eagle with a bunch of pars and a couple birdies. He would have finished six-under (par). 

Not the inconsistent Tiger, though. The inconsistent Tiger eagles No. 1 and bogeys on the fourth and fifth. 

You know what, Mr. Woods? You're just a tease. You give us amazing rounds of 62, you give us eagles and you constantly make us think you're "back," but you always follow up with disappointment.

Elin knows it, I know it and until you put together four solid rounds in a row, the rest of the world will know it. 

There, I said it. 

That's why, after your encouraging start on Friday—two-under(-par) through six holes—I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm not relying on you for a tournament win; I'm not getting excited about the best golfer in the world being back.

Not again. Not yet.