Asia Pacific Classic 2012: Tiger Woods Will Shock World with CIMB Classic Win

Tiger Woods is a mere five strokes back as play resumes at the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia late Saturday night.

If you aren’t already aware, there’s a big time difference between the Eastern United States (-4 GMT) and Malaysia (+8 GMT). That’s a 12-hour difference to be exact.

Trailing by five strokes isn’t where Woods would like to be, but he’s still sitting within striking distance of leaders Bo Van Pelt (16-under par) and Robert Garrigus (16-under par).

Comebacks aren’t unheard of, though, as there are always risers and fallers throughout the course of a tournament.

Golfers like Woods are usually the ones doing the moving and shaking along the leaderboard during the final round.

Although Woods fell short, his final-round heroics at the PGA National Champion Course during the 2012 Honda Classic in March of this year is a perfect example of why he may be down, but is never out of contention while on a golf course.

An aggressive final round by Woods, including two eagles, capped his best-ever 62 final round. He finished with a 10-under par 62 in order to pull within a stroke of Rory McIlroy. McIlroy, currently the best golfer in the world, held on to win by shooting just a one-under par during that final round.

The moral of the story is that while he didn't end up winning, it’s still never wise to count out Tiger Woods without a mathematical certainty that he’s eliminated.

Another factor in Malaysia that will help him down the stretch is that there isn’t very much competition ahead of him that can say they’ve been in this situation before. Bo Van Pelt, the current co-leader, is the exception to that.

It will take a big day from Woods and an average-to-bad day from Van Pelt and those ahead of him to lead to the big comeback.

But it’s certainly not only possible, but likely.

Tune in tonight between late-night college football and beer drinking to witness Tiger’s comeback bid.

You won’t be disappointed.