Tiger Woods: Why U.S. Open Is Perfect Place to Begin Historic Second Half

The U.S. Open provides the perfect stage for Tiger Woods to begin the second act of his storied career. The past few years have been akin to an intermission for the best golfer the world has ever seen, but Woods is ready to dominate the sport once again. 

Woods hasn't been the same golfer since his embarrassing sex scandal made headlines at the end of 2009. To be honest, he was already teetering on the brink of mediocrity even before his shame was made public due to a string of injuries to his knee.

The last time he looked like himself was at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, when he beat Rocco Mediate with in a 18-hole playoff to win his 14th major championship. Woods called it, ""My greatest ever championship—the best of the 14 because of all the things that have gone on over the past week," according to the Guardian.

After his win, Woods underwent reconstructive knee surgery to repair his shredded ACL. He hasn't looked like himself since that win, as only a year later while attempting his comeback Woods was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

2012 has given Tiger fans something to cheer about, though, and his game is finally returning to form. Woods has been working on a swing change with new coach Sean Foley since 2010—a change he hopes will ease the pressure on his knee, according to GolfChannel.com.

The switch hasn't been seamless. Woods has struggled for the past couple of years, but the time for struggling is now at an end. He's ready to return to greatness once again. 

There is no better venue for Woods to make his triumphant return than the U.S. Open. It is the last major he won since all his troubles began, and it would be fitting for Woods to begin the second leg of his career with a win this year at the Olympic Club. 

Many have wondered if Woods will catch Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships. I'm not one of those people, because in my mind it's a given. Woods is only 36 years old. Nicklaus won his 18th major at the age of 46. Woods has at least five good years left—if not much more—and after experiencing the taste of failure for the past couple of years he's ready to return with a vengeance.

Woods is ready to break out of his major championship slump with a victory at this year's U.S. Open. The stage is set, the setting is right, and there is no doubt that his confidence has finally returned after winning two tournaments so far this year. 

Woods is going to come back stronger than ever, and there isn't a more fitting place for him to begin the second half of his historic career.

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