7 Things Still Missing from Tiger Woods' Game to Resurrect the Old Tiger

The talk around the water cooler following the PGA Championship was probably split between how great Rory McIlroy was in winning his second major title and how Tiger failed in the clutch one more time.

Both are great topics for discussion, but for the world of golf the big question is why has Tiger not been able to contend in a major on the weekends and what can he do to change his fortunes on what used to be one of most comfortable places?

No one, including Tiger, has the answers to either question but there are lots of suggestions.

Check out my 10 best suggestions.

Consistency, Where Art Thou?

There was great excitement when Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He was the prohibitive favorite to win a couple weeks later at the Masters.

He won the Memorial Tournament and his stock climbed immeasurably going into the U.S. Open.

After winning his own tournament, the AT&T National, it was a foregone conclusion that he'd be bringing home the Claret Jug after the Open Championship.

He hadn't won in the weeks leading up to Kiawah Island and when he faded on Saturday and Sunday, he completed an 0-for-4 year in the majors.

The consistency in his season, the rounds and day-to-day existence on the PGA Tour is not there at all.

All the greats have it, just like Woods used to prior to 2009.

Whatever Happened to the Ability to Think Clearly?

The most disturbing thing to come out Tiger's weekend was his statement that said he went out on Saturday with the mindset of having fun and being happy.

I've heard him say some things that have been heard to believe but this one really stretches the limits.

Tiger Woods. The guy who puts on his game face a week before the start of a tournament, the guy who walked through galleries without seeing a single face. The guy who gave new meaning to "zoned out" is now trying to be Happy Gilmore in the third round of a major championship.

Someone is not thinking clearly, whether it's Woods or someone in his camp.

He has been programmed through his formative years to lock out everything and focus clearly on the objective at hand.

Fourteen majors later, he wants to start don't worry, be happy?

Really?

What Happened to the Precision in Tiger's Wedge Game?

Maybe you drive for show and putt for dough, but if you don't hit quality shots with your irons, the dough (and titles) will be more difficult to acquire.

It has been shocking to watch Woods fly green after green in clutch situations and when the camera pans back to him, he has this lost look on his face.

For the man who has mastered the art of the "stinger" off the tee, the inability to get those wedges dialed in is really baffling.

For approaches from 75-100 yards, Woods ranks 168th, averaging 20 feet, three inches of putts left. From 50-75 yards, he's 144th, he averages 17 feet, 11 inches away from the hole.

Simply put that's not good enough. Until he starts zeroing in on pins again, his climb back to the top will be a tough one.

Re-Learning the Art of Dealing with Majors Pressure

For a guy who has won 14 major titles, it seems incredulous that the ability to win a major is something that can be lost.

But four years of no wins when the stakes are highest lends credence to the idea that Tiger may no longer have that special gear champions go to when necessary.

The fact, however, is that he did have it once. And when you've had something like that for as long as he did, it would seem to be something that can be learned again.

He's always been his own man, but maybe it's time to seek some advice.

Make the Ball Disappear Again on the Greens

When he was the dominant player in professional golf, Tiger Woods was as close to automatic with a putter in his hands as there ever was. He didn't make everything, but if you were playing against him, you never really expected him to miss.

This year, from 10-15 feet, he's ranked 134th on Tour, converting 47 percent of those putts. From 15-20 feet, he's 182nd, converting 12.31 percent of the time. Putts from those distances used to be in the middle of his wheelhouse.

It obviously makes sense that if he starts hitting his scoring clubs closer, he'll face shorter putts and starting making more disappear.

Remember the Vow to Become a Better Person?

During Tiger Woods' emotional, nationally-televised statement he made after the beginning of his personal implosion in 2009, he vowed to become a better person, follow his religious beliefs more closely, improve his on-course behavior and get back to what he knew was right.

All of those things were the proper things to say, following through on them has proven to be another matter, however. There does not seem to be much about him that has changed. And while he definitely puts a charge into any event in which he's contending, even his most fervent fans still cringe at some of the things he does.

It's never too late to change.

Forget About 2000, Tiger. That's Ancient History

Every time Tiger Woods wins a tournament or makes a strong run in an event, the question always arises: is he back?

And the answer back is always: Back to what?

If being back means being the Tiger of 2000, then no, he's not back and he won't be back there ever.

That was 12 years and a seemingly solid family ago, nearly two handfuls of surgeries and injuries as well as a handful of swing coaches.

Winning three events like he did this year and grabbing an occasional major would return him to top of the heap status again.

It's a new world and, for a man quickly approaching 40 years of age, it's time to get with the program.