Story of Tiger Woods

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorials : Burning bright: "THE TIGER IS out of the woods and on the prowl once again. Over the last two years, Eldrick Woods (nicknamed Tiger after his father's friend) seemed to be going through — by his own extraordinary golfing standards — a somewhat rough patch. In 2003, he took the first spot in five tournaments but won no major titles. In 2004, he earned a cool $ 5.4 million in prize money, but lost the number one ranking, a position he held for a record 264 weeks — to a resurgent Vijay Singh.

The recent triumph was an extremely close thing with Woods battling to overcome an indifferent first round, some wayward drives off the tees and an unexpected challenge in the form of a dour, resolute and unsung Chris DiMarco. Masters 2005 lacked the authority that stamped his earlier victories, particularly his first in 1997, when he left everyone else in the field straggling hopelessly with a record 12 shots lead. But it did provide another glimpse of his bold and steely genius. Woods strung seven straight birdies when it counted, made long puts under pressure and hit delicate and precise chip shots that left the ball a mere crab scuttle away from the hole. His incredible 40-foot chip on the 16th will become a part of golf folklore, an exquisite shot that rolled down a difficult ridge and then hung precariously on the lip for what seemed like eternity before dropping into the cup.

Will Woods ever be able to return to his exemplary form he showed between 2000 and 2002 — a period when he stood alone on Mount Olympus while the rest merely laboured in the foothills? It is too early to say. But his recent showing would suggest that this prodigiously talented golfer — who shot a 48 in 9 holes when he was just 3 years old! — will continue to pose a serious challenge at the highest level. Woods has already extensively rewritten the record books, being the youngest player to win a Masters, to reach number one, and win a career grand slam. In 2001, he made history once again by becoming the first player to hold all four major titles at the same time. At 29, he is no spring chicken. But in a sport where champions often thrive into their middle age — Jack Nicklaus won his last Masters title when 46 — Woods still has a long way to go. That puts a perspective of what he could still achieve and how much more ingrained he can become in golf history."