Why I'm Rooting For Tiger
One thing I can honestly say is that I have never been the "star struck" type. I have only been amazed by athletes abilities but not much else about them. Sure, as a kid, I would mimic batting stances of my favorite MLB players. I would also pretend to copy the shooting form of the best from the NBA and so on. I never thought of athletes as much more than that. I know Charles Barkley had a famous quote where he said "I am not a role model." I agree. I appreciate any athletes physical abilities to be the best of the best at their crafts. The other part that I marvel at is the athletes mental approach to their sport. So with that as a back drop, that is why I am rooting for Tiger Woods.
I am not saying the Tiger Woods that was philandering, but the Tiger that captured our attention by becoming a legendary golfer. I don't know if he can ever get back to that same form but I sure want to see him try. Tiger no longer is the longest driver on tour, nor the best putter, or even best chipper. His success helped golf, raised the bar and now his competition has passed him. His body has broken down but I don't believe his mind has yet. I don't know that I have ever seen an athlete with a better laser sharp focus and grasp of the mental games of sports.
That mental game fascinates me. All professional athletes are the best of the best but you can separate the "special" ones by their minds. So while the first major of the year rolls on, I hope to see Tiger in his red Nike shirt Sunday with a chance to scare the young and old at Augusta. What would happen if Jordan Speith or Ernie Els or anyone from the field had to stare down the barrel of the leaderboard with Tiger in pursuit? Would they crack? Would Tiger crack? I don't think he would but he sure has fallen and I am more than ready for him to put the pieces back together and make another run at being great.
If Tiger does make that comeback and start another portion of his career at greatness, maybe I will become "star struck" by him and his comeback. We do love great comebacks don't we? I can tell you this much, the game of golf would love another run at a mentally and physically strong Tiger Woods. Mentally he has hit, physically he may not. I sure do enjoy watching him try to find it again. Now if only I could emulate his game, I am just so darn mentally weak, physically too, oh and I am not that good at golf. I will just stick to watching. Go Tiger.