PGA Championship 2011: 10 Things Tiger Woods Needs to Do to Win the Tournament

After the final round of the PGA Championship we have seen where Tiger's game sits. It's pretty rusty to say the least. Woods' front nine was quite the adventure, hitting few fairways and missing by miles.

However, the attitude post-round that Woods exhibited is what everyone else had going into this week. Earlier that week Woods had gotten short with reporters, expressing his intent on winning regardless of everyone else's thought.

But this week is different. It's a major. It's Tiger's favorite kind of tournament. Even through struggles, Woods has thrived in the pressure of a major. After this week though he has some things that he needs to focus on.

Practice New Lines

Tiger's admitted his new swing has changed his ball shape immensely. And with Tiger's experience in the game, it's hard to look at a hole and play it different than you have every time successfully.

Tiger needs to use his practice rounds wisely and focus on where he targets the ball to place it where he normally does. It's not that his landing zones are bad, it's that he has to figure out a way to get the ball there with his new shot shape.

There are some adjustments Tiger needs to make at every course he plays from here on out. This week showed him that the way he once played the ball is drastically different from now. Adjusting to this can only reap benefits.

Putt Putt

Tiger proved how key the putter is in the first round. His round would have been awful had he not dropped some huge putts. 

The next two rounds the putts didn't drop and the scores reflected it. Woods couldn't buy the putts he needed, and missed a few tap ins that Tiger Woods never misses.

The final round was up and down, but in general Woods' putting was decent. Tiger needs above average putting this week. He said he's done his practice with Bermuda grass which is what he will face this week, so it should play to his hand.

Take It Easy for a Day

Tiger needs a lot of reps, but everyone needs his rest. 

Woods is no exception. After coming off an injury, the last thing Woods needs is to push it too far and hurt himself again.

Not only is it the perfect chance to breathe in the fresh air, he can also file through...

New Caddy Applications

Yes Tiger does have to look for a caddy. Byron Bell is a great guy I'm sure of it. Tiger can't afford to surround himself with anything but the best right now.

But Bell is not a professional caddy. Tiger got no help in reading greens if he wanted, because Bell doesn't have the course knowledge and doesn't know as much about Tiger's game. 

Essentially, Tiger got a good friend who can clean clubs and read the number on them to hand them over.

Woods should try picking a caddy with some knowledge. Even if he doesn't need the help on the greens, with his putting stats it can not hurt.

Let Steve Williams Talk

Did you watch the Golf Channel or ESPN in the past 24 hours? If you didn't, I'll fill you in on the main golf storyline: Steve Williams Has Gigantic Ego and Mouth. It was created by Tiger and Steve's relationship and he probably had it, but Williams loves the media.

Right now, it's a great smokescreen. Attention goes from Tiger and deflects to Steve. The reporters are eating up what he has to say, broadcasting every last jab about the "greatest week of his life."

In the end, this does two things. Removes attention from Tiger, and also makes him look better. Tiger has said nothing but the best of Steve, while Williams is bent on using what he has to attract attention.

For once, it's not Tiger who looks to be the bigger jerk. Did Williams get fired? Yes, but Tiger has the right to fire him. 

Have Some Fun

If Tiger's bound to do something with his game, he needs to smile a little more. Try to chuckle at something that happens on the course. He's got a great big smile and we don't see it enough.

The relaxation on the course makes it easier to succeed, and with the pressure in a major, a tension-breaking joke is sometimes a good thing.

Don't Let the Media Get in the Head of Tiger

For years Tiger Woods stoically answered questions to the media, detailing whatever they wanted. He wasn't perfectly versed, but he would answer the questions without a show of too much strain.

Now, Tiger's gotten shorter with reporters post round. 

What he needs to remember is the media wants a story. An aggravated Tiger is great for headlines. However, it's not great for his psyche. Tiger's focus needs to be on golf and...

Taking It One Shot at a Time

It's that age-old moniker that all professional golfers repeat. "Well, I was taking it a shot at a time." Anyone who's had a really good round can tell you they weren't thinking about anything, just the shot that they were hitting.

Tiger cannot get ahead of himself this week. A double bogey cannot turn into a "I have to birdie the next hole" situation. 

It's always been his strength, his mind, but somehow it's changed, and Tiger needs the mentality that he is the predator not the prey.

Shoot for the Stars

Even though this goal was what made him look bad in front of the media after Friday's round, Tiger can't afford to let up on his goal of winning. Every tournament has to be about playing his best golf and knowing if he does he will win.

If he doesn't, Tiger sets himself on a level of touring professionals bound for failure and while many would love to see that, it's not what he needs to win.

Beat the Course

Who cares about the field? Nobody. What a good golfer is supposed to think about is beating the course. 

It's about looking at par, thinking of a score and beating the course.

If Tiger goes out and focuses on shooting 67-69 all week and someone wins, then he better tip his hat because that would be some great golf. Tiger needs to worry about Tiger, and let the other golfers shoot their own number.