Doing the Tiger Rag

I first became aware of Tiger Woods in 1987. I was a young adult, just beginning my infatuation with golf, and I heard or read about some 12-year old California kid who had a “plus” handicap. It sounded like an urban legend to me; I could possibly believe a “scratch” handicap for a pre-teen, but not a “plus.” Of course, Tiger had been doing the implausible for a decade even then, appearing on the Mike Douglas Show and “That’s Incredible” as a two-year old. Needless to say, he has been amazing the athletic world in the two-plus decades since he first came onto my personal radar screen.
In 1999, I was shocked when journeyman Jeff Maggert beat Tiger in the fourth round of the WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship, it felt like I was punched in the stomach, so hard was I rooting for Tiger. I have always been and remain a huge fan of Woods, and am of the opinion that he’s unquestionably the greatest golfer ever, and his inexorable march towards all of the game’s significant records is a matter of when, not if.
So why was I disappointed when J.B. Holmes couldn’t hold onto a 3 up lead with 5 to play in the Accenture’s first round this year? As incandescent as Tiger’s comeback was—playing four holes down the stretch at five under par, I still wanted Holmes to take him down. Why was I grimacing when Aaron Baddeley couldn’t seal the deal two days later in round three, missing twelve and fifteen footers on the final hole and first playoff hole that would have sent Tiger packing?
I think it’s because Tiger has become too good—literally. He’s both the unstoppable force and immovable object concurrently. His presence is so overwhelming, he’s shrinking the game at its highest level, not to mention shrinking his opponents. I still want him to lay waste to the record books. It’s a privilege to watch someone so supremely gifted and dedicated to his craft. But right now it’s too easy. The most competitive golfer there has ever been is in serious need of serious competition.