Tiger Woods Must Get Off to a Strong Start to Win 2013 PGA Championship

The days when Tiger Woods could overcome four- or five-stroke deficits over the weekend are gone. Woods needs to establish a rhythm early and deliver one of the better rounds of the day on Thursday if he hopes to ultimately win his 15th major at the PGA Championship.

In Woods' five wins in 2013, his average first-round score is 67.2. In the tournaments he hasn't won, his average score on Thursday is 70.6.

The first round doesn't have to be Woods' best day, but it needs to be close to it.

In his seven-stroke win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, Woods wasn't the leader after the first round. Despite an opening-round 66, he was in third place behind Henrik Stenson and Webb Simpson.

Still, the four-under 66 provided the confidence needed for the near-record-setting performance Woods produced in the second round. After he posted the nine-under 61 on Friday, the outcome of the rest of the tournament was just a formality.  

If he is able to establish a lead after a round or two, Woods will play loose, much like he did in Akron. Granted, his third- and fourth-round performances weren't as eye-popping as the second round, but shooting two under par combined is usually going to be good enough to maintain a lead.

It may be a long shot to predict Woods to be that dominant two tournaments in a row, but a strong opening round will go a long way in continuing the momentum he established at the Bridgestone.

Likewise, it would also serve notice to the competitors in the field. Even though Woods has had his share of success over the past two years, the intimidation factor has been absent.

No one fears Woods anymore, but if he starts quickly, he could restore the aura of dominance that seemed to surround him five years ago. He's right at the cusp of that status now, but he needs a major championship to put him over the hump. 

If he starts well, this could very well be the end of the majors drought. If he doesn't, we'll still watch, but fans will likely be disappointed Sunday.

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