Tiger Woods Will Ravage Opponents Down Under at the Presidents Cup

Tiger Woods finished two strokes behind Australian Open winner Greg Chalmers on Sunday, the first time he had placed third or better in two years.

He held a one-stroke lead through 36 holes and rallied after being down six strokes headed into the final round.

While he's still too inconsistent for his liking, Woods has definitely asserted himself back into the discussion of winning another major.

Woods looked more like the Tiger of old on Sunday when he scored five birdies and an eagle in the last 18 holes. For once in the last two years, his opponents could feel him closing in just like he did so many times before coming away victorious during his glory years.

He isn't there yet, picking up two bogeys and missing a 15-foot eagle putt on the 17th hole in the final round, but he's much closer.

It's hard to fathom Woods even getting this far. After his personal life fell apart in late 2009, he had not only lost his focus, he had lost his game, as well.

But on Sunday he looked like the real deal, a golfer with the ability to win another major and go out swinging.

Obviously, Woods hasn't won another major yet, but there are signs he's starting to find his game again after an injury-plagued 2011.

Said Woods after he shot an 11-under-par 277, via Bloomberg:

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“I’ve just got to keep plugging along. I’ve showed some progress. It’s nice to be out here and competitive and actually playing golf again. It’s nice not being on the sidelines.”

"

Woods has figuratively been on the sidelines even when he has been on the golf course for much of this season. After showing sparks in the Masters, he disappointed after that, further complicated by injuries. He didn't even make the cut at the PGA Championship.

But this is a new Tiger, and it jumps out at you right away.

Headed into Thursday's Presidents Cup, Woods was asked about the prospects of playing alongside Adam Scott and ex-caddie Steve Williams, who made racial comments about him two weeks ago.

Said Woods, via ESPN, "It's already done. I addressed it last week and I said life goes forward, not backward."

And it has him headed into the Presidents Cup with a full head of steam.