As a 22-year-old reporter, I’m learning lessons of the journalism industry every day. One invaluable lesson I’ve been taught is the importance of giving yourself time to breathe and absorb a moment before crafting an excessively emotional piece.
And yet, as I reflect on one of the most memorable days we’ll ever see in sports, it’s hard to abide by the usual rules. That’s how incredible Tiger Woods’ Masters win is.
When Woods sank his one-foot putt to clinch his fifth green jacket–and first since 2005–the throngs of patrons at Augusta National rose to insane life, and with good reason. The ex-king of golf had returned to his throne.
This tournament appeared to be destined for a coronation of one of the sport’s less visible competitors. Francesco Molinari, Xander Schauffele, and Tony Finau were just a few of the lesser-known golfers who were within striking distance of the green jacket as the final round withered away.
And hard as it was to believe, there was Woods at the end, standing alone atop the golf world. There was a little bit of luck sprinkled here and there, yes, but the greatest golfers don’t rely on luck. Tiger Woods won this tournament, much more than anyone else lost it.
It was a shocking, remarkable return to form, the likes of which we’ve never seen in individual sport, and may never see again. Of course, Woods’ natural ability has never been a secret, ever since Woods played his first round of nine holes as a three-year-old and carded a 12-over 48. He is confident, and maybe a tad cocky, depending on who you ask. He is also very cognisant of his talent, and perhaps even more aware of the career downfall that shook his legion of devoted fans.
Woods has always had the innate potential to win. But I don’t think anybody could have envisioned that potential being worked into action, at least not to the level we grew accustomed to in the early stages of his illustrious career.
When Woods defeated Rocco Mediate on a torn ACL at the 2008 U.S. Open Championship to capture his 14th major, nobody could have predicted what the next ten years would have in store for the champion of the sport. In just a few short years, Woods had become a pop culture icon for all the wrong reasons. Countless extramarital affairs, devastating injuries, and personal struggles seemed to all but seal Woods’ fate as a has-been that could have been much, much more. And that totally seemed to be the case. How could anyone say otherwise?
But deep beneath the surface, something was brewing within Woods that allowed his rise to occur. Maybe it was the back surgeries. Perhaps it was a psychological shift. However it happened, Woods’ chapter of despair is now in the rearview mirror. I’m not a professional golfer–and I definitely never will be–but taking home a Masters title seems like a pretty effective method of exercising demons.
This incredible moment evokes serious nostalgia. I was three months old when Tiger took home his first green jacket in 1997, and for the first twelve years of my life, Woods was essentially the world’s most recognizable athlete. The guy was everywhere. It was literally Tiger vs. the field every time he stuck that tee in the ground. Fans of an older age will remember Woods’ meteoric rise; from his accomplished junior career to his “Hello, World” declaration upon turning pro in 1996, Woods rose from a face to the face. We hold on to these nostalgic moments because they make us happy. They remind us not only of what Tiger used to be, but also of what we once were as well.
Woods has made more than his fair share of mistakes. His career unraveling is entirely his doing, when you subtract the string of injuries. But his inexplicable return to stardom is his own work as well. It’s a great lesson in determination and grit, something we can all use more of in our own lives.
When Woods won his first Masters, 22 years ago, he wrapped his father in a warm embrace. And today, a similar moment was captured, this time with Woods’ son, Charlie, who was not yet born when Woods won his last major. Talk about a hell of a side-by-side image.
Tiger Woods is not perfect. None of us are. But his extraordinary performance this weekend is a reminder that even in our darkest, most vulnerable moments, we are all capable of rising to the occasion. The peaks and valleys of Woods’ career are evident, but his most visible career highlight might just be this latest peak, when Woods shook the naysayers and pulled off the comeback story of a generation.
A billionaire with no personal ethics. He was more interested in his short game with his pud than his putter. I know elite sport athletes have no responsibility to their hero worshiping fans but for the media and all his new band wagon and Johnny come back lately fans to prop him back up on a pedestal because he has made the comeback of the century does not qualify him for a Mulligan. Is he an outstanding superb best golfer of all time? Yes. A sub par role model? Absolutely.
I would agree with the lack of ethics. It doesn’t get as much recognition as it should. And perhaps the “hero” narrative is a little overstated. But with that said, I do feel like Tiger’s legacy as a golfer is ultimately transcendent. It’s unfortunate that that’s the case, but that’s what happens when you experience the type of career shift that Tiger has.