Is Tiger Done for Good?

Spectators lined the course like dominoes, holding their collective breaths, in wonderment if the old Tiger had risen up out of the ashes after a vintage performance in the second round of the Arnold Invitational.

As the third day came to a close, Woods finished shooting a 74, two over par, with four bogeys and one double-bogey. How quickly a story can change. This has been the Tiger saga since returning from a tumultuous social cyclone last November.

It was this tournament last year he dodged to avoid media's inquiries into his personal life. Tiger's first tournament back was the 2010 Masters, picking this event for it's prestige and requirements where press could only inquire about his game, not infidelity. Finishing fourth was a distortion of the senses.

The top-10 finishes didn't last.

From then on began the Era of the New Tiger Woods, the golfer who gives us just glimpses of former prepotency.

Tiger has become mummified in his past achievements; dominance only reverberated in the past tense.

His last major victory came at the 2008 U.S. Open, winning on a sudden death hole, playing on an ailing knee that would require surgery. The flair for the dramatic gave reason for the casual golfer to tune in.

The new Tiger is wearing his signature red shirt, silently verbalizing aggression and authority. The clothes are the same, but the man is clearly not. Red represents the frustration on Tiger's face as each tournament intertwines another loss.

His adversaries used to openly cower to the media about Tiger's presence. Now other golfers play unfazed, without the fear of the Tiger shadow once cast upon them.

Woods absolute concentration dissipated like clouds after a rainstorm. Any positive rounds are early and not often, mental game deteriorating with every progressing hole.

The most zoned in athlete in the world has less focus than a Jack Russell posing for a Christmas photo.

Woods being great is good for the sport. I miss Tiger Woods. Not the adulterer, liar or fake forgiver, but the best golfer. The old Tiger played like a linebacker breathing fire, knuckles digging into the dirt, preparing to blaze through the line.

The name Tiger Woods used to be synonymous with the sultan of swing and perfectionist with the putter, making a 60-foot strike look more effortless than a leisurely stroll.

Fist pumping victories are gone. The old Tiger appears to have vanished for good.