Tiger Woods: An Icon in Need of a Resurgence

Golf has always been led by iconic figures such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Fans admired their incredible shots as well as their charisma, and both golfers were incredible competitors whose skill led to unforgettable moments on the course.

However, the sport of golf really started buzzing when a youngster named Tiger Woods entered the PGA for the first time. Although many will argue that Jack Nicklaus had a more impressive overall resume, he wasn't as important to the public perception of the game.

Tiger turned professional at the age of 21 and never looked back. By the age of 34, Tiger had already won 14 major championships, two more than Nicklaus had won in his entire career.

Then, the unthinkable happened. The well-spoken, well-respected Tiger Woods destroyed his image when his wife found adulterous text messages on his phone.

The ensuing sex scandal set back Tiger's progress in two major ways. Woods lost his composed swing, and he lost the demeanor that was his competitive edge. Tiger's winning mentality is what set him apart from other athletes, as he was simply able to out-will everyone else on the course.

Tiger also had a flair for the moment, sinking putts in clutch situations as normally-subdued crowds went bonkers around him.

Even though Tiger spent time honing his skills every day, he found time to make media appearances and forge a positive public image. He knew how to articulately answer questions and promote the PGA in a positive light. These innate skills, combined with his golfing ability, created a global icon that at his peak was making over $90 million a year, more than any other athlete. 

However, Tiger's former popularity isn't the biggest reason fans want to see his resurgence. Currently, golf is a sport in which anybody can contend in a tournament, week in and week out. While many people find this is exciting and suspenseful, it demonstrates how inconsistent and streaky professional golfers really are.

Tiger's consistent dominance was why he was able to revolutionize the sport. He was an unbeatable force on tour in a way not seen since the years of Palmer and Nicklaus, and the public loved having an undisputed favorite. 

Now Tiger is struggling with his game, tweaking his swing to try and find the perfection he once had. Woods now has to work as hard as anyone else on the tour to win trophies, and golf no longer has a charismatic number one that fans can look up to.

The public admires greatness, and it's sad to see the once-dominant Tiger Woods stuck sadly in the middle of the pack.