Tiger Will Be Back

As we watch Tiger struggle at the Players Championship, it is becoming hard to remember the days of his domination on Tour.  But yes, he will be back, it will just be a little while.  There is only one area that Tiger is lacking in at the moment, but unfortunately it is the most important area when talking elite athletes: the head.

Tiger, at his pinnacle, was the premier athlete in golf and in the world.  His combination of talent, aggressive play, intimidation factor, and mental toughness made watching a guy play golf must see TV.  He wasn't just better than everyone on tour.  Tiger demoralized competitors because he could grind them down and keep the pressure on them four straight rounds every time he teed it up.  The mental ability to ignore anything outside of his little world and focus with a killer instinct made him untouchable on the golf course. 

When it all came crumbling down in November 2010, Tiger found himself in a whole new world of celebrity athletes.  It was no longer good enough to focus just on his golf game.   Whether you like his lifestyle or not, his privacy was ripped away and the comfort within it as well. 

Tiger has had physical issues and swing changes as well, but his talent did not up and disappear.  Watch him play a few rounds and you can see he still has the ability to hammer his driver down the middle, stick it close on approaches, and make putts (at times).  Tiger is missing his consistency.  He is missing his focus.  He may practice just as much or more, but in his head he is still searching for answers, searching for a way back to the top in the midst of all the focus on his personal life. 

Tiger has experimented with many ways of sharpening his focus and resolve and has yet to find the remedy.  So stop blaming swing changes and physical pains for Tiger's woes.  Until he finds a way to return his mental state to "pre car wrapped around a tree Tiger", he will continue to wallow in mediocrity.

mf