Tiger's Second Comeback

This is turning into a VHI special; Tiger's rise, fall (or crash landing) and resurgence. We already know how the first two parts play out, it's the comeback that we will wait to watch unfold. And don't kid yourself, we will watch more intently than ever. That may actually be one of the reasons this works out in the end, not only for Tiger but for the Tour as well. How? As for the Tour, you know the philosophy that any publicity, good or bad, is better than none? Well, take that notion and addict it to crack and you start to see the twisted circus unfolding here. The time and place of Tiger's first competitive round in 2010 are irrelevant. Woods could be playing a Monday qualifier in Guam and the place would be overrun with media and spectators after the Black Friday fiasco. The point is that America doesn't boycott amidst controversy anymore. We show up in droves to either support or judge with extreme vigor the figure at the center of the fracas. For better or worse the Tour will gladly accept the droves. Extra ticket sales and better ratings never hurt anyone.

As for Tiger, in the end he may come out of this more of a fan favorite. Case in point, John Daly. Big John has made his share of mistakes, and then he's made some more. From the very get go Daly was a fan favorite because he so resembled the common man. He smokes and drinks and constantly has problems with women. And even when he couldn't handle any part of his life on or off the course people still paid their ticket money and followed John around the course. People even bought the sideshow stuff Daly was selling in the parking lot. =>

  Now Tiger has never had a problem drawing a crowd, and he's also never had a problem off the course until a few weeks ago.  Mistakes like these, however, are the stuff of Joe Schmo not Tiger Woods. One of the big knocks on Tiger has always been his icy demeanor and ultra-bussiness like approach to everything. He didn't seem to ever embrace the fans and as such the fans never truly embraced him. Sure they lined up ten deep to see a tee shot, but it was always about his talent, not his personality. A great example was the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage. This was an Open tournament on a public course normally played by the same blue collar folks who made up the raucous crowds. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were both California boys playing in New York; Tiger was respected while Phil was adopted. Why? They both have world class talent, but Phil is so much easier to relate to because up to that point he had constantly come so close to ultimate glory only to miss by a nose. Despite the close calls Phil didn't fade away, he kept coming back, putting himself in the fray and trying to overcome demons. Sounds like you or someone you know doesn't it?   Tiger, however, was living a life so structured and successful that only one in a billion people could relate to it. Thanks (I guess) to the car accident and admitting to extra marital affairs Tiger has become, for lack of a better term, human. Maybe Woods should steal a line from Phil and tell everyone what an idiot he is? Whatever the words used, if he handles this properly and is honest with the fans who made him a billionaire he may become that which he has never been in the public opinion; endearing.