Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012 Leaderboard: What Tiger Woods Must Do to Win
When Tiger Woods steps on the tee Sunday, he'll have a golden opportunity to break an ugly drought. If he is to step up and win a real PGA Tour event, Woods will have to follow these strategies. Some of them are mental, some physical, all are essential.
Lay Back off of the Tee
Tiger has the most trouble when he's missing fairways. The driver still gets a little wild every now and again, and it puts Woods in spots where saving par is a tremendous accomplishment.
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Particularly in the early part of the round when the irons and woods are beginning to take shape, Tiger can't be afraid to be conservative. That means hitting irons and fairway woods off of the tee. Use the driver, but lay back with the swing.
Far and away the most important part of Tiger's game is finding the fairway. That may cost him some distance off of the tee, but his irons are so sharp right now, that I am not worried about him getting onto the greens from further back.
Go with Blinders
When Tiger was at his best, it didn't matter what anyone did. He was so focused on his own game, that I doubt he even knew what his playing partner was doing sometimes. It's subtle, but that's a part of his game that's been lost.
When he was paired with Phil Mickelson in the final round at Pebble Beach, Tiger looked a lot different after Mickelson got off to a fast start. He just seemed to be forcing things, and that can't happen.
It is entirely possible that Graeme McDowell (or someone else) will make an early birdie or two, tying the lead, or even taking it outright. These are the best players in the world, it's going to happen.
He can't react to that by taking more aggressive swings, or putts. The game plan has to stay intact for all 18 holes. Maybe someone will beat him, but if Woods reacts to what other people do, he'll beat himself.
Have Fun and Be Brash
Tiger used to ooze confidence when he was on the course. He walked around with such confidence and while he was focused, it never seemed like Woods was not enjoying himself out there.
That is something that has been lacking for a while, and it's why he hasn't won for a long time.
I want to see the fist pumps on a long putt, and the confident golfer that always knows his swing is sound, and the club selection is right. Tiger is one of the best golfers in the history of the game, and he hasn't been acting like it enough on the course.
If he gets out there and enjoys himself and remembers who he is, Tiger will be shaking Arnold Palmer's hand in victory 18 holes from now.
Prediction
His PGA Tour winning drought has gone on long enough. Tiger will seal the deal and head to the Masters with good thoughts.
Leaderboard Through Round 3 (Full Leaderboard available here at PGATour.com)
| Place | Player | Score | Thru |
| 1st | Tiger Woods | -11 | F |
| 2nd | Graeme McDowell | -9 | F |
| T-3rd | Ernie Els | -8 | F |
| T-3rd | Ian Poulter | -8 | F |
| T-5th | Johnson Wagner | -7 | F |
| T-5th | Charles Howell III | -7 | F |
| T-7th | Bud Cauley | -6 | F |
| T-7th | Charlie Wi | -6 | F |
| Notables | |||
| T-9th | Bubba Watson | -5 | F |
| T-14 | Webb Simpson | -4 | F |
| T-14 | Justin Rose | -4 | F |
| T-25 | Vijay Singh | -2 | F |
| T-32 | Phil Mickelson | -1 | F |
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