Lesson On Golf Blog
Reality is finally setting in. The public, other PGA professionals, and the golf media all are reluctant to say it. Yet the evidence is clear.
Tiger Woods will never dominate like he once did. He may never even win another Major. Heck, I am beginning to think he might not win again anywhere.
In his last 18 events, Woods has a total of zero wins. He is also winless in his last 10 Majors. Even at The Masters-where he has won four times-his last win was 2005.
At venues where he once dominated, he has struggled this year. At Torrey Pines, the site of his majestic U.S. Open triumph in 2008, he finished 44th. In Dubai, he tied for 20th. He just finished tied for 24th at Bay Hill, where has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational six times. He also was eliminated in the first round of The WGC Match Play.
His best finish this year is a tie for tenth at Doral. That's the same place he topped a drive that traveled all of 122 yards. At Bay Hill he dumped three shots into the water. On March 26th Tiger made his first eagle in 50 weeks!
The world golf rankings had Tiger Woods at No. 1 for a record 623 weeks, including 281 consecutive. He is now at No. 5 and falling like a rock.
Woods is still four shy of tying Jack Nicklaus at 18 career Major victories. He will never get there.
At age 25, both he and Nicklaus had 14 Majors. Nicklaus won his last Major at age 46. Who knows if Woods will even play until age 40?
Add to that his off-course issues, along with his surgically repaired knee and three swing coaches- nothing will come easy. These are all issues Nicklaus never had to deal with.
Tiger lacks the passion he once had for the game. He-to his credit-now spends more time with his kids and less time practicing.
The result is a PGA Tour ranking that does not find him even in the top
189 in "putts per round" and a ranking of 87 in the FedEx Cup standings.
Ever heard of guys like William McGirt, Keegan Bradley, Kyle Stanley or Bill Lunde? They all are ranked higher than Tiger this year.
It is time for people-especially media- to call it as they see it, and not as they wish to see it. We are all sick of hearing "he is getting closer", or "it is only a matter of time before he gets it back."
He will never get it back.
Woods WAS the greatest golfer of our time. But "Elvis" has left the building. Woods will never touch the Nicklaus record of 18 majors.
FOR HALF OFF GOLF AT GREAT COURSES VISIT LESSONONGOLF.COM.
LISTEN TO LESSON ON GOLF WEKENDS 7-8AM ON 97.1 THE TICKET
