Tiger Woods: Win Would Kickstart Epic 2012 Season for Tiger and Golf

The world of golf needs Tiger Woods to win the Chevron World Challenge this weekend. In reality, the game needs him back in the winner's circle period. But the unique nature of this tournament adds another element.

First things first. After two rounds, Woods is at eight under par. He holds a three-shot lead over K.J. Choi and Matt Kuchar.

Sports are better when their most high profile teams and players are playing at the highest possible level. There' nothing particularly groundbreaking about that. People tune in to watch them win, or lose, it doesn't matter.

It's good for the sport. 

If Tiger isn't playing or is struggling to even make cuts, the intrigue of the sport is significantly damaged. The game is the same, but not as many people care about it. 

But this isn't a normal tournament. This isn't an official event and while many of the competitors are strong players, it's a small field. 

So, let's say Tiger wins this week. Imagine the sports talk shows: 

Person A: "This shows he's back. All he needed was a win. Now that he's got that, he'll be winning majors again no problem."

Person B: "Are you kidding me? Who cares about this tournament. Win the Masters, then we'll talk."

Something like that. 

It wouldn't dominate the sports talk shows, as the NBA season is soon to start, and the end of the NFL season/playoffs aren't too far around the corner.

But the point is that any of this is better than what's been happening for the last two years. If he had won a big tournament late in the year, then this win wouldn't be particularly noteworthy. The hype wouldn't be as great.

If people know he can win, then they will watch the early season tournaments on that promise alone.  The game would benefit greatly from Tiger winning this event. But it would be on Tiger to keep that momentum alive into the early season.

Can he do it?

In a word, yes.

Getting the taste of winning back in his mouth will do him a world of good. We know he can still contend. He's done that enough recently.

But we don't know that he can win again. Until he actually does win, nobody will know that. Not even Tiger.

The 2012 season is going to be the most important season going forward for Tiger. What it tells us will be immeasurable. If he gets a win in 2011, even in an unofficial event, then he knows that he can go out and win.

Let's face it, Tiger clearly can win. He's done it as well as just about anyone the game has ever seen. But he hasn't won anything for more than two years. That does hurt his mental outlook.

This event may not look like much, but there's no telling how much it would help his mind.

A win right now would give him that confidence to go forth and reassert himself as the best in the world.

So, while it may not seem like a lot, this tournament is really important for many people. 

For Woods and the sport alike, a Tiger victory is the best thing.