Tiger Woods: Fans Shouldn't Overreact to Subpar Masters Performance

The return of the "old" Tiger Woods was prematurely announced, but it doesn't mean Woods' resurgence isn't still on deck. Don't let the disappointing Masters performance get you too down on him.

Tiger won't finish anywhere near the leaders in this event.

Woods still has two top-10 finishes this year, including the win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Because of his past excellence, Woods' is judged on a level that no other golfer in the world is evaluated. When he was right, Woods often produced amidst these lofty expectations.

Things have changed, and all of it isn't due to the issues away from the golf course. Tiger is battling something that all golfers with his longevity have to endure.

Most notably, the man Tiger is chasing, Jack Nicklaus experienced a similar drought in regard to victories in major tournaments.

Nicklaus won his 14th major at 35, but didn't win his 15th until he turned 38. 

Guess where Tiger is stuck?

You guessed it—his 14th, which he won at 32. It's true, Tiger is 36, but this is still a product of the same dynamic.

Golfers must transition from young player to middle-aged player. Physically, there are changes that alter the approach to the golfer's game.

The usual competition turns over, and the mid-30s-to-early-40s pro must find his place in the field. 

This is surely compounded by Tiger's personal issues, thus we see the drought.

That said—he is still playing well by most players' standards. As he gets older, that becomes a more accurate description of Woods. He isn't the same player, and it isn't just about personal problems. It's the nature of the game.

Tiger will win more majors. He's too good, and he's too hard of a worker not to find success. 

Perspective is everything. If fans are waiting for Woods to run through three consecutive majors and dominate like it's 1999, it won't happen.

It doesn't have to—all he needs is consistent contention and five more majors over the next 10 years. I believe he will accomplish that.