Watch out, He’s Back! Tiger triumphant in return
Tiger Woods return had a storybook beginning, and ended with a satisfying victory in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship over Brendan Jones.
Last year, Tiger Woods won a U.S. Open for the ages against Rocco Mediate. His performance was made even more remarkable once an MRI on his left revealed he, inconceivably, had played the major with a torn ACL. Six days after he defeated Mediate in a priceless battle, Woods had surgery. His season was over, with eight months of rehab ahead of him.
Being the immortal that he is, Woods’ rehab went along swimingly, without any setbacks; in fact, his return was ahead of schedule. This was bad news to the rest of the tour, as many were having a jolly old time in his absence. Golfers could relax, but, once Woods ripped a 296-yard drive on he dogleg-left first hole of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, their chances of winning a tournament over the duration became slim. Woods would birdie the opening hole and, if that’s not enough of a statement, eagle the next.
Poor Brendan Jones. Woods’ opponent didn’t have, nor give himself much of a chance, saying, “Obviously, I know I’m a long shot…I would probably put the house on Tiger…I’ve been thinking if I could win the first hole and then hang on, that would be great, but I don’t think that’s going to happen somehow.” Restructured knee and all, Woods’ didn’t cut Jones any slack by taking the 33-year old Australian to town with two more birdies and another eagle to finish him off.
When Woods did struggle in bogeying holes 3, 4, and 7, Jones couldn’t capitalize. Woods, the face of the PGA Tour and one of the most gifted athletes in sports history, did just what was necessary to win, going 3-under on the back nine to finish off the Australian.
Nothing has changed for golfs’ finest, except perhaps his improved short game. His demeanor is the same even though he had a prolonged absence from competition. He, even in his first tournament, expects to win. This is what should strike the fear not only into his next competitors heart, fellow veteran Tim Clark. Clark, who faced Woods two years ago in this same tournament, should put up a better fight than Jones.
In spite of the loss, Jones was upbeat, saying “I feel like the luckiest guy in the world today.” I’m sure his fellow competitors won’t share the same sentiment once they are forced to oppose the greatest. They should be terrified. Woods is back, ready to effortlessly (at least he makes it look that easy) conquer the game yet again.
