Tiger Woods: Victory at U.S. Open Would Complete Comeback

Tiger Woods' Memorial Tournament victory is encouraging, but it means nothing without a first-place finish in the U.S. Open on June 17.

Golf pundits, and Woods' fans, are telling the "comeback" story to anyone who will listen after Woods claimed victory in Ohio on Sunday. Until Woods wins a major, the golf icon will not be truly "back."

The victory is exciting for sure. His two-stroke victory in Jack Nicklaus' tournament allowed Woods to pull even with The Golden Bear on the all-time wins list. Woods now has 73 victories, nine behind Sam Snead's 82 career wins.

Every golf enthusiast, or casual observer, should enjoy watching Woods win a tournament. He is an international icon in a sport not known for its celebrity status. He is everything to the sport, and his inability to get his game on track leaves a massive void on every tournament leaderboard.

He has taken a step in the right direction.

Let's see why Woods needs to win the U.S. Open to prove he is really ready to contend again.

Win on "Major" Stage

The Memorial Tournament is a fine tournament, but it isn't a major. The U.S. Open is among golf's elite tournaments, and Woods should be judged by those standards.

Woods has won 14 career majors. He has not won a major since staking victory at the 2008 U.S. Open. He needs to prove he is at that level again.

He must show he is ready to play to the standard expected of him after 12 years of complete dominance over the sport.

If this was an average golfer, or anyone else really, we could get really excited about a Memorial Tournament victory. But this is Tiger Woods. Should his comeback be held to the same standard?

I don't believe it should be. Woods has won three U.S. Opens in his career. He must win his fourth to show the sporting world he is ready for the limelight again.

Woods is in the twilight of his career. I understand that. But holding his comeback to the standards of every other golfer would not do justice to Woods' career resume.

Granted, Woods had one elite moment in Sunday's victory. Sunday's flop shot on the 16th hole was one of the best shots anyone will see, but I want to see Woods make simple shots on golf's grand stages.

He has not proven himself on a major stage in what seems like ages. The idea of a Woods' comeback starts gaining steam the second Tiger makes the final cut in a tournament.

People are that eager to see this iconic figure return to his paramount position as golf's poster boy.

A U.S. Open victory would validate those hopes and dreams.

He Has Been Here Before

Avid followers of Woods' career know he has been here before. After winning the Masters in 1997 (in his second professional year), Woods did not win another major for over two years.

Off-course incidents, knee injuries and general wear and tear have people fearing this lull is permanent. That Woods will always be buried under false hopes and missed cuts for the rest of his waning career.

A U.S. Open victory would change that sentiment.

Winning the U.S. Open would prove to Woods that his new swing is working, and that all is not lost. He is one of the greatest golfers the world will ever see, but he cannot be confident about this cold spell.

Sean Foley has remade Woods' mechanics and his approach. Woods needs to know that those changes are not in vain, and one tournament victory cannot provide concrete reassurance.

Stealing victory at the Olympic Club would give Woods, and his fans, some much-needed optimism moving forward.