This week is the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, an event at a venue that was all but flipped over and done again by Tiger Woods in 2000. He owned the golf course, his golf swing, the field and the tournament. He finished 12-under par, 15 shots clear of poor Ernie Els, who always seemed to play better than everyone else in the field besides Tiger in those days.
This week, we get Tiger 2.0 at Pebble, but the expectations are different. This is a man that hasn't been in control of his golf swing since the first three rounds of last season's PGA Championship, and doesn't look to be anywhere close to U.S. Open championship form.
So what should we think when Tiger steps foot on those famed links this Thursday?
I for one still think he could win. Just like Kobe Bryant seems to be doing for the Lakers, Tiger must keep his team afloat, and the only way he is going to do that is by playing well at a major and allowing us all to forget the last year. That raises another question, however. Will we ever see Tiger in that 2000 Pebble form? The percentages say no, since it might have been the best overall performance in the history of golf, capping anything Jack or Arnie or Bobby ever did. But can we expect domination from Tiger? That is where things get fishy.
See, all Tiger's life golf has made a ton of sense, and he's won consistently throughout his 34 years on this planet. Now, he actually has to think about stuff like making cuts and breaking par and keeping his head up so people don't discuss his bad behavior.
This week will tell us a lot about what the state of Tiger's life is in. He isn't just playing for a trophy, he's playing for peace of mind.
So what will be the outcome on Sunday on that majestic 18th green? I think Tiger will be in contention, just because he is supposed to be in contention here.
The golf world needs a little Woods dominance again. Hopefully the man that has always come through decides to do it once more. A win here, and everything will be forgiven, at least by us.
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