Tiger Woods: Week-by-Week Predictions for the Rest of His Season
If anything makes the American public forgive and forget in sports, it is winning.
Look at Kobe Bryant.
Look at Michael Vick.
As a result, the 2011 season was the year that Tiger Woods was going to win back the fans he lost with his "transgressions."
And Woods' season started off strong, playing well at Augusta National for the Masters. Although Woods failed to win, it looked like he was well on his way to hoisting another trophy soon.
Then Woods made the public aware that he was, once again, suffering from injuries.
This time it was his Achilles tendon and left knee.
Just as quickly as it appeared, all the hope Woods would dominate the 2011 season went away.
It was no longer if Woods would win this season. Instead, it was if Woods would play again this season.
Last week, in a press conference for the AT&T National, Woods finally spoke about his plans for the rest of the season.
And in typical Woods fashion, gave as little of information as possible.
"I feel that in the next week or so, I can start getting back toward that and start practicing pain free," he said. "That's where I'm at."
So assuming Woods just began to practice this week, he had a serious lay-off following the Masters.
Woods vagueness about his injuries also left us wondering where he would again pick up his 2011 season.
So lets take a look at where he may play and how he could finish in the remainder of the season.
The U.S. Open at Congressional: June 16-19
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Likelihood Woods will play:
About 95 percent.
Why he will play:
It is a major.
Woods' stated goal is to win the most majors ever. He current sits four victories away from tying Jack Nicklaus. If Woods wants to surpass Nicklaus, he cannot afford to sit out majors.
The U.S. Open is also a tournament Woods has won three times. The last time he won was in 2008 at Torrey Pines. Although it took him 19 extra holes, Woods was playing against doctor's orders with a fairly serious leg injury (sound familiar?).
Predicted finish:
Woods always plays well in the majors. It is nearly a guarantee he will finish in the top 20. If Woods finds a way to get his wedges and putting going, he will notch a top-five finish.
AT&T National at Aronimink Golf Club: June 30-July 3
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Likelihood Woods will play:
About 99 percent.
Why he will play:
This is Tiger Woods' tournament. It benefits his foundation and there is pride involved.
Assuming Woods plays in the U.S. Open and does not aggravate any injuries, it is ensured Woods will tee it up at Aronimink.
It is also a tournament Woods has won in the past. Granted, Woods won the event in 2009 on a different course. A new course does not rule him out from winning again, especially when his ego is involved.
Predicted Finish:
At worst, Woods will finish in the top-25.
The British Open at Royal St. George's: July 14-17
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Likelihood Woods will play:
Assuming Woods is healthy: 100 percent.
Why he will play:
Again, it is a major.
Woods is not going to miss a major.
Last time the British Open was held at Royal St. George's was 2003. Ben Curtis won that year, as Woods faltered down the stretch and finished two strokes back.
Predicted finish:
Woods most likely feels good heading to this course, a top-five finish is likely. A victory is not totally out of the question.
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WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: August 4-7
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Likelihood Woods will play:
Somewhere around 99.9 percent
Why he will play:
It is a big tournament.
While not as important as a major, it is a World Golf Championship which is the next best thing.
The Bridgestone is also played at Firestone Country Club.
This is a course Woods practically owns. He has won on this course numerous times. Woods knows the course so well he could probably play blindfolded and win.
Predicted Finish:
Woods will finish in at least the top-10 at Firestone. A top-three is easily within reach.
The PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club: August 11-14
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Likelihood Woods will play:
If healthy, 100 percent.
Why he will play:
Once again, it is a major.
Woods gears his game for the majors, and tries to peak during major weeks.
Remember, this is the major Woods was leading through 54 holes in 2009. Then Y.E. Yang stepped his game up, and stole the tournament from Woods' grasp.
As a result, Woods has something to prove, especially after finishing in a tie for 28th last year.
Predicted Finish:
Woods will finish in among the top-15 in the heat of Atlanta in August.
The Barclays: August 25-28
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Likelihood Woods will play:
This is part of the FedEx Cup so to play Woods will have to finish in the top-120 in FedEx Cup standings. Assuming he is able to finish that high, he likelihood of playing is 95 percent.
Why he will play:
To put it simply, Woods has not played much competitive golf the past couple of seasons. To stay at the top of the sport, Woods needs to play more tournament golf.
As part of the FedEx Cup, this tournament has raised its stature over the past few years. And with winning the FedEx Cup comes a $10 million dollar bonus, the money plays a role too.
To play in the last three tournaments of the season, Woods needs to play here and play well.
Predicted finish:
Woods always finds a way to produce when he needs to. As a result, Woods will do as well as he needs to play in the next FedEx Cup event.
The Deutsche Bank Championship: September 2-5
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Likelihood Woods will play:
Assuming he advances this far: 100 percent.
Why he will play:
Again, Woods needs to compete.
He wants to reestablish his dominance over golf. The only way to do that is to play in big tournaments and win.
While this is not the biggest tournament of the year, it is an important one. There is a lot of money on the line and as a result a lot of pride.
Predicted Finish:
Woods will probably notch a top-20 finish here to allow him to advance to the BMW Championship.
The BMW Championship: September 15-18
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Likelihood Woods will play:
If he qualifies, Woods will definitely be playing at the BMW Championship.
Why he will play:
As the third out of four tournaments in the FedEx Cup, the field has been narrowed down even more.
By this point in the season, the field only consists of the best players of the year. To be the best, Woods needs to play the best and this provides him with another chance to do so.
Also, Woods loves to win and he is honestly still a threat to do just that anytime he tees it up.
Predicted Finish:
Woods will most likely finish in the top-25 of this tournament. This is also where I see Woods' PGA Tour season ending. Right now, I do not see him qualifying for the Tour Championship.
WGC-HSBC Champions China: November 3-6
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Likelihood Woods will play:
About 75 percent.
Why he will play:
Now that the HSBC Champions has been made a World Golf Championship, Woods is going to want to win.
The question is how his body will hold up. If there is any hint of injury remaining, Woods will skip this event.
If he feels he is healthy, however, Woods will tee it up in China against the best players in the world.
Predicted finish:
With this elite field, Woods will finish in the top 25.
The President's Cup: November 17-20
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Likelihood Woods will play:
100 percent. I just do not see Fred Couples leaving Tiger Woods off of the team if he is healthy.
Why he will play:
It is an honor to play for one's country.
Even Tiger Woods relishes the opportunity to represent his country against the rest of the world.
If he is asked, there is no way Woods will turn down a spot on the President's Cup.
Predicted finish:
Woods will perform well in the event and help lead the U.S. team to a victory.
The Chevron World Challenge: December 1-4
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Likelihood Woods will play:
It is Woods' tournament, so 100 percent.
Why he will play:
It is a small, elite field. Woods always plays well against the best.
Last year, Woods was poised to win until Graeme McDowell sunk more putts that Woods down the stretch.
Woods wants revenge after last year, and could find it here.
Predicted finish:
Woods will finish in the top-five at worst.
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