Will This Tiger Return Be Any Different?

At this point, I’ve lost count as to the number of “returns” for Tiger Woods.  I’ve lost count of the optimistic articles and columns written.  And I’ve lost count of the number of let-downs as Woods once again faded away; leaving us all wondering if what once was, was no more.

So what exactly is different this time?  Should we be excited that Tiger has committed to play in four of the next five tournaments?  Sure.  But we also need to realize that could change after a single round this week at the Farmer’s Insurance Open.

Granted, the last time we saw him, he led the field in birdies.  That’s a good sign.  But he also led the field in bogies.  A not so good sign.

But let’s assume that Tiger stays healthy, doesn’t start chunking chip shots, and doesn’t self-destruct on the golf course (or off, for that matter).

What should our level of expectation be for the greatest golfer to ever play the game?  Should we have any expectations, whatsoever?  At this point, have we all just moved on from the drama and proverbial circus that comes with a Tiger Woods round of golf?

I watch a lot of golf on television.  A lot of us watch a lot of golf on television.  We are much more than the “casual” golf viewer.  When I watch that final round on a Sunday, I’m not necessarily cheering for a specific golfer.  I’m much more interested in it being competitive.  I love a final round where only a shot or two separates the best golfers in the world.

But with Tiger Woods these days, I’ve kind of adopted that “casual” viewer’s mentality.  Come the final round on Sunday, I would be watching regardless of who is or isn’t in contention.  However, if one of those happens to be Tiger Woods, I’ll be watching differently.

I think we all watch golf differently when Tiger is making a run at another “W”.  There’s a much bigger rooting interest.  Whether for or against.  It becomes an event that supersedes our little golf world.  While a lot of us discuss that final round in our little golf world on Twitter or Facebook or Reddit in real-time, when Tiger is in contention, our virtual conversation grows exponentially in numbers.  Suddenly, friends of ours who rarely watch our game, are suddenly commenting alongside.

When that happens, I’ll finally be ready to accept things will be different with Tiger this time.

Cover Image via Flickr