Tiger Woods: His Top 10 Moments of 2010
In a year that seemed to be one bad headline after the next for Tiger Woods, he is probably glad that 2010 is almost over.
And although Tiger Woods failed to win a tournament this year, his year was not all doom and gloom.
In fact, Tiger actually played some fairly good golf this year. And off the course, he seems to be heading in the right direction.
Here is a quick look at his top moments of the last year.
10. Beginning To Use Twitter
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Throughout his career, Tiger has always kept his personal life as private as possible. Throughout the last year, however, his dirty laundry has been aired in a very public and humiliating way.
As a result, many expected Tiger to give only the necessary interviews and press conferences. And who could have blamed him if he spent the rest of his career avoiding most publicity?
Instead, Tiger took a different route. He decided the best way to win back fans was to be more open with them, to communicate with them more.
So what did he do? He opened a Twitter account.
Is it a groundbreaking occurrence for a celebrity to start using Twitter? Of course not.
Is is a groundbreaking occurrence for Tiger to start using Twitter? Of Course.
This is a man whose favorite thing to say to the media when questions get a little too personal is "Next question." This is a man who many fans feel like they do not really know.
For example on Thanksgiving, Tiger tweeted, "Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. I just finished a pretty tough cardio session this morning because of all the apple and pumpkin pie."
This tidbit lets the fans know that Tiger is human. That he tries to be an average guy when he steps outside the ropes.
And, hey, it may help Tiger win back some fans, and that is good for Tiger and for golf.
9. Steve Williams Stands by Him
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Love him or hate him, Steve Williams is nothing if not loyal.
At a time when Tiger needs all the support he can get, his caddie, Steve Williams, is standing by him.
And although there have been rumblings that Williams and Tiger would part ways, nothing could be further from the truth. Williams explains "I'm working for arguably one of the greatest players who ever played, who is fully committed to breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record."
If that were not enough, Williams went on to ask, "Why would I quit in midstream?"
When Tiger was asked about his relationship with Williams, Tiger told listeners "He’s been a heck of a caddie, there’s no doubt about that...and he's a heck of a friend."
Tiger's life has encountered enough change over the last year. His relationship with Williams, however, will provide him with the stable base he will need if he is to break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships.
8. Switching Putters?
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Throughout his career, Tiger made clutch putt after clutch putt. So this year, when those putts stayed on the other side of the lip, it was cause for concern.
The first sign a change of the flat stick was on the horizon was at the British Open where Tiger actually used a Nike Method putter in tournament play, shelving his trusty Scotty Cameron.
And while Tiger went back to the Scotty Cameron for the final round of the British, many wondered how much longer the Scotty would remain in his bag,
The answer: not long.
By the time the Chevron World Challenge started, Tiger was as frustrated with his putter as ever. It was a year of missed putt after missed putt for Tiger.
Thus, when Tiger announced he was switching putters yet again to a Nike Method AND having three backup putters of the same model, it came as no surprise.
In fact, the change shows that Tiger is willing to do whatever it takes to get back into the winner's circle. As he won 13 of his 14 major championships with his old Scotty Cameron.
Only time will tell how long Tiger stays with the Method putter. It may even be in his bag when he breaks Nicklaus' major record. Or it may not even make it to the 2011 season.
All that is certain is his drive to compete and improve is nearly unmatched on the PGA Tour.
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7. First Round of the Masters
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When Tiger announced his first tournament of his 2010 season would be the Masters, many shook their heads in disbelief.
Writers and fans alike questioned if Tiger could contend in the Masters without a "warm-up" tournament.
Tiger maintained that not only could he contend, but that he could win.
His first round 68 helped prove his point.
It also helped silence some of his critics who claimed his game would never be at pre-scandal levels.
6. Finalization of His Divorce
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In nearly every news conference before the divorce was finalized, Tiger was asked about his marital status. And almost every time Tiger told the press that his relationship with his wife was a private matter.
Finally in August, the duo issued a statement that the divorce was final.
While it may not have been the result Tiger was looking for, it provided a little relief for him.
No longer would he be asked about his marital status, and he could finally do what he does best—play golf.
5. Switching from Hank Haney to Sean Foley
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Let's be honest. Tiger never played his best golf under Hank Haney.
And while Tiger won a plethora of tournaments under Hank's watchful eye, he never seemed totally content with his swing.
Thus, it came as no surprise when Tiger released a statement in May stating simply, "Hank Haney and I have agreed that he will no longer be my coach."
This provided Tiger the opportunity he needed to work on his own for brief period before settling on Sean Foley as his new teacher.
Will Tiger be as successful under Foley?
That remains to be seen, but Tiger needed the change that a new teacher provides.
4. Round Three of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach
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Despite his early struggles, many still believed Tiger had a very good chance to win the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
After opening the tournament with first round 74 and a second round 72, many were questioning their logic.
That all changed with a third round 66.
The score not only silenced the doubters but also put Tiger back into contention at a major heading into the final day. And although he eventually finished in a tie for fourth place, it showed he still had a little magic left in him.
3. The Chevron World Challenge
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Tiger entered the 2010 Chevron World Challenge looking for the first victory of his season in his final tournament of the year.
Through three rounds, Tiger's swing was solid, and he finally made a few putts. In short, Tiger of yesteryear was back.
Then came the fourth round, where Tiger struggled with his swing all day and could not seem to get anything to fall on the greens. And with a white-hot Graeme McDowell lurking, Tiger could not put the tournament away, eventually losing in a playoff to McDowell.
And, although Tiger failed to win, the tournament did a couple of important things.
First, it showed the critics that Tiger can still produce and be a factor through four rounds of a golf tournament.
Second, and maybe more importantly, it showed Tiger that he could string a few good rounds together.
Even Tiger's caddie, Steve Williams acknowledged "Last week was the first time he's played three good rounds in succession this year. It's been a difficult year and hard to focus on the task, but it's all started to come together."
2. Singles Match in the Ryder Cup
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The United States entered the final day of the Ryder Cup trailing 9.5 to 6.5. And although they would eventually fall just short, Tiger played his best golf of the week and possibly the year in his singles match.
The start of Tiger's match versus Francesco Molinari was rough. After two holes, Tiger found himself two down and knew if the U.S. had any hope of winning the Cup, he had to win his match.
That is when Tiger let his legend grow as Earl Woods would have said and kicked his game into high gear.
On holes four through 15, Tiger made seven birdies and an eagle. That is nine under par on 12 holes. While an astonishing performance under any circumstance, Tiger's play in this stretch is unheard of during the Ryder Cup, let alone on the final day of competition where continental pride is at stake.
That hot streak allowed Tiger to close out his match on the 15th hole and win a full point for the Americans.
1. A New Year Is Rapidly Approaching!
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Lets face it, 2010 was a down year for Tiger.
His personal life was in shambles. He was attacked by the media time after time.
And although finishing in the Top Five in two majors may be a success for many professional golfers, Tiger measures success through victories.
But, alas, a new year is on the horizon!
It is time to turn the page on the calendar.
And who knows what the new year holds for Tiger.
All that is certain is it will probably be better than 2010.
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