Tiger Woods: Wins One, Needs More

The Sunday of Dec. 4, 2011 could be a memorable date for Tiger Woods.

Wins on any given Sunday used to be routine for the man who has been player of the year a record 10 times, but not anymore.

Tiger Woods has skidded off the rails winless for the past two years.

That losing streak changed this particular Sunday just past, at the so-called “Chevron World Challenge,” when he beat the formidable Zach Johnson (a previous Masters champion) with birdies on the final two holes, for a final score of 10 under par to Johnson's nine under.

As he saw his winning put unfold, there went the classic Tiger fist pump. Actually, so jubilant was he that it was more of a Tiger fist wham slam. Anyway, unveiled big-time was the familiar Woods exultation. One of sport's treasures to behold. What we hope for. What we wait for. What we watch golf for.

Of the victory emotion, Tiger characterized it in this fashion: “It feels awesome, whatever it is.”

Yeah, hard to tell what a victory sensation is when it's been so long. Even Tiger Woods, with 71 U.S. wins, third all time behind Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus, is, as Barry Manilow would say, trying to get the feeling again.

The way Woods got the triumph Sunday is significant. On the last hole. In a head-to-head confrontation with a top-level player. With a winning putt. And, he mounted a comeback after giving away a 54-hole three-stroke advantage.

In this particular victorious moment, Tiger Woods banished his Nervous Nellie complex. In other words, Tiger handled the pressure. Like he used to do.

Prior to this past Sunday, in the interim since the 2009 revelations of his confessed infidelity, pressure had handled Tiger, instead. Like for example at the 2011 Dubai Desert Classic, when he blew his chances with a devilish 75 in the final round.

Actually, in 2011 heretofore, Tiger Woods had just played badly all around. In March, at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (where he's won six times) he finished 24th. In August at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (where he is a seven-time victor) he finished 37th. And so on.

After every loss, there was either an excuse or a delusion. We heard about the endless revamping of the Tiger “swing.” We heard about new injuries ( a menu of leg, ligament, tendon, and other assorted breakdowns). We even heard about “caddie” troubles, like the general public really cares.

Mostly, we heard: “Don't worry, Tiger's making progress.” He wasn't. Until perhaps now.

The Chevron World Challenge is not an official PGA money tournament, but is recognized unofficially by the PGA. Cutting through the convolution, that means it counts. Somehow. And, this is real: Tiger Woods took home 1.2 million dollars as the winner (he donated it to charity), and Zach Johnson took home $650,000 as the second-place finisher (he didn't donate it to anyone).

With his Chevron conquest, Tiger Woods should gain confidence. But he's got a long way to go before he can evince as the great player he once was. Before he can eclipse Nicklaus' god-like accomplishment of 18 major wins. (Woods needs four more to tie Nicklaus.)

Further, Tiger Woods has got to internalize his latest victory. He's got to play free as a bird like the old Tiger. And he's got to implement safeguards in his life to prevent demonic recurrences. No small tasks.

Nowadays there is tough competition on the fairways. The Steve Strickers, the Rory McIlroys, and Luke Donalds—although not American household names—are superb international players. But Tiger Woods at the height of his powers is beyond superb: He is an unmatched golf genius.