Tiger Woods: 10 Bold Predictions for the Rest of 2011

Tiger Woods showed signs of improvements this weekend. Yes, it is early to speculate for the rest of this year, but let's do it anyway. 

I just want to take some time to address those of you who will be upset at these predictions. Let me remind you, they are going to be bold, and they may seem unlikely, but I will keep within reason when predicting. Just so you know, I don't have Woods winning the Grand Slam this year. That would go with 10 ludicrous predictions for Woods.

Anyway, I think after this week it's high time we start considering what Woods will do for the rest of the year. It's a pivotal point in his career, and I think achieving any of these predictions that I have laid out would set Woods on the track for success.

So here's 10 bold, but not impossible, things to think about Woods' 2011.

Tiger Woods Will Win at Bay Hill

Like I said, bold, but not impossible. It is a stretch to say that any of Woods' performances have indicated that he is back to his dominant self, but that's the wonderful thing about golf: You don't have to play well the week before to win the next week.

A perfect example of this would be Luke Donald. He missed the cut the tournament before the Match Play, and still came in and ran the show.

While I don't think Woods' game is at the point where anyone should be putting their house on him winning, it's not outside the realm that Woods takes home the trophy at Bay Hill. May I remind you, he has a few trophies from this tournament previously.

Tiger Woods Will Play in More Than 20 Tournaments

David Cannon/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Tiger Woods of the USA (10th frame in sequence) at impact as he hits his tee shot to the 16th hole during the pro-am for the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at the Bay Hill Golf Club, on March 12, 2008

I'm going to be honest, this may be one of the more reasonable predictions for Woods. If he continues to struggle, I think he will try to play through it. The more he plays, the more likely he is to break through.

The last time Woods played in over 20 tournaments was 2005. So why change now?

Like I said, at a 25 percent career win percentage, the more he plays, the more his odds increase to win. Also, he has no commitments to Elin. It may sound bad, but being divorced, Woods is a lot more free to do as he pleases, such as playing more often.

If there is any of these predictions I think Woods should take to heart, it is this one. So many greats have struggled at points, but playing through it is the best way.

Tiger Woods Will Get a Hole in One This Year

Tiger's ace at TPC Scottsdale got him fired up. He could use one this year just to give him a boost.

It may not be a turning point this year, but it would be nice for Woods to add to his career total of aces.

Why this may be a little bold to say, of all the aspects of Woods' game, his ball striking with his short/mid-irons is the best part of his game.

From 125-150 yards, Woods is the number one player in proximity, averaging 12 feet on the season. Yes, Woods is actually leading in a statistic on tour this year. See it for yourself.

And feel free to look at the rest of his stats. Some of them will shock you, most of them not.

As I was saying, Woods is striking the ball well. He has never been an accurate player off the tee, and this week, he did off the tee what he always did. And his ball striking was there to save him (unfortunately, his putting was nowhere to be found).

All those "get in the hole" shouts could use fulfillment. Tiger needs a bright spot this year, and an ace would be something to smile about.

Tiger Woods Will Rank in the Top 30 in Putting on Tour

Tiger's putting has not been "better than most" this year, but it certainly has been.

Right now, Woods is ranked 103 on tour, averaging 29.25 putts. This is pretty dismal, especially considering that Woods seemed to always have his putter as his saving grace.

Right now, 30th sits at 28.35 putts per round. With the fact Woods hasn't played much, the 29.25 is not at all difficult to change from the math perspective. However, from the reality perspective, Tiger isn't putting to the standard of 30th on tour, and seems enamored with the golf swing.

But then again, he's Tiger Woods. His focus is where he feels it is necessary, and he will eventually feel the comfort in his swing to practice putting. I'm guessing that if he posts solid at Bay Hill, he can feel comfortable and devote more time to putting.

This is a goal that, while seemingly far-fetched, is closer to reality than you would believe. Probably one of the easier goals to set for Woods is this one.

Tiger Woods Will Win the FedEx Cup

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jim Furyk celebrates with the FedExCup Trophy after winning THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, the final event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, at East Lake Golf Club on September 26, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

From here on out, the predictions become bolder, and it starts with winning the FedEx Cup. Last year was the first time Woods played a significant amount of a season, and didn't win the FedEx Cup.

The two out of four seasons he had played prior both yielded the trophy, and the bonus check, which Woods probably could blow his nose in and not care.

What I think is the thing that makes this only slightly more reasonable than the next five slides is that it is a full-year thing, so Woods has every opportunity to put himself into the mix. It's not like this is a bad week/good week thing. 

From here on out, the predictions for Woods will not be as easy as this, as simple as they sound.

Tiger Woods Will Not Miss a Cut

David Cannon/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 14: Tiger Woods of the USA and the Albany Club on the 18th hole during the first day of the 2011 Tavistock Cup at Isleworth Golf Club on March 14, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Like I said, it sounds simple, but it's the nature of the beast.

No golfer steps on the course with the same swing every week, or even the game. And Woods finally joined the "no golfer" group, officially removing his name from the spot as the only invincible player in the world.

Woods is bound to have bad rounds here and there, but if he learns to minimize the mistakes that he makes, he will have a lot easier time.

I think this goal may be a little lofty for Woods. I hope it isn't, because he doesn't like to miss out on the weekend festivities. He seems to be partial to that shiny trophy that each tournament has to offer.

Tiger Will Shoot a 61 This Year

Here's some of Tiger's finest moments to dramatic music.

Who is questioning how difficult this is? If you didn't say me, then you have some sort of illness.

The last year Woods posted a 61 in competitive play, you ask? 2005. He posted 62 in 2009, but that's not 61.

You're probably wondering why I didn't say 60, or 59. That's because this is supposed to be bold, not insane. Last year's multiple 59s was a ridiculous feat, and won't be repeated soon.

To me, being able to match 2005's scoring means that Woods could match his wins and game. That would be nice about now, too.

Tiger Woods Will Win the Masters

Tiger Woods can only hope for this magic at the Masters.

We all are wondering what Woods' best chance is for a major. Don't even think about it, it's Augusta. Four wins here previously, Woods has what almost every Masters champion has: experience with the course.

All the players will tell you the best way to win the Masters is learning Augusta. It may seem obvious, but the Masters, more than any, has the largest payoff in learning the course (much because it's at the same course).

To say Woods will win at Augusta would only become ludicrous if Woods misses the cut at Bay Hill. If he wins, then all bets are off and all of these predictions become viable. If he plays respectably for ALL FOUR rounds, then it would just be a bold prediction. 

Right now it's bold. 

Tiger Woods Will Win the US Open

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

PEBBLE BEACH, CA - JUNE 20: Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland celebrates making par on the 18th hole to win the 110th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 20, 2010 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

What's more bold than picking Woods for one major? Picking him for two in a row. While I don't think this is a reality at all, these two tournaments are going to be Tiger's best shot at taking home a major title.

Despite the fact it gives him the least time to get everything together, the US Open is a tournament that is not traditionally a shoot out, unless it's the year 2000 and your name is Tiger Woods...

Woods certainly should always be a consideration in a major, even if his game is rocky. Why? You never know when he is going to catch lighting in a bottle and torch the field.

If he were to get one of these, the potential to go big the rest of the season is unlimited within Woods, and we know. That's why picking him not once, but twice, seems the boldest I have gone in the entire list.

But that's about to be busted.

Tiger Woods Will Be No. 1 in the World at the End of 2011

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DORAL, FL - MARCH 12: Martin Kaymer of Germany waits on the 16th tee during the third round of the 2011 WGC- Cadillac Championship at the TPC Blue Monster at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa on March 12, 2011 in Doral, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

This is probably fringing on impossible. However, we all know Woods doesn't understand the term "impossible." It's not in his vocabulary.

The reality of everything on this slideshow boils down to one thing: winning. Not Charlie Sheen "winning," but Tiger Woods winning. Taking his opponents, and rolling them over with ice in his veins.

If Woods can do that, then all of these don't even seem bold. But until then, these are all predictions that many would love to think about happening. 

What is your bold prediction for Woods' 2011?