Tiger Woods: Masters Woes Prove Return to Dominance Isn't Close

While we all thought he was there after winning Arnold Palmer Invitational, we were all fooled as Tiger Woods returned to his struggles at this year's Masters.

Woods came into this tournament as one of the favorites—as he always does—but this time around he had his first tournament in nearly three years under his belt. Without a doubt people felt Tiger was back.

No. They knew Tiger was back.

Thing is, while we all were caught up in the excitement of the World's former No. 1 returning to dominance, we forgot how hard it has been for Woods to climb up the rankings to even come close to winning a title, let alone a major.

And it isn't like Woods isn't climbing back, but one would be foolish to expect him to return to full form after one win, as the struggles have been there for the last three years.

Things like that just won't go away, especially in a mental game like golf.

We saw the mental part of the game disrupt Tiger. On the 16th hole of day two, Woods hated his shot, dropped his club and actually kicked it in disgust of his performance as he concluded that day with a round of 75.

That is not Tiger. At least not the dominant Tiger that we all know of.

Woods finished this year's Masters at five-over, tying for 40th overall. That is far off from his fourth-place finish a year ago, but not out of question considering what has been the norm for him as of late.

There is no doubt that Tiger can return to the top. It won't happen right away, but there is a reason this man has single-handedly dominated the golf world for so many years.

It is just going to take time, as it is a process just like anything else.

We have quickly realized just how mortal Woods—who continually stood so far apart from the rest of the field for so many years—actually is.

His return to dominance isn't here yet, but that doesn't mean it won't come. Perhaps he will finally find his form at the end of 2012, or maybe sometime in 2013.

Heck, maybe never. 

One thing is for sure. Woods proved this past weekend that he still has room to grow. He will need to continue to develop his game, and work to find consistency.

He may never win like he used to, but Woods should continue to be a major player in majors for many years to come.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
Follow @Real_Jeff_Chase