The Masters: Will Tiger Woods end the "he can't play from behind" stigma?

That Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer of this era goes without saying. But even the best has his flaws. Today, as the final round of the Masters unfolds, the golf world will see if he can put a dent into what many consider his biggest flaw - that he is not a player that makes a last round charge.

Woods’s victories over the years have been spectacular, by all means. But there has been a noticeable trend of how he wins. He stays within striking distance during round one, moves loser to the leaders after round two, is within a shot or two of the lead or holds the lead after round three, and plays the final round conservatively to take home the trophy.

At the 2008 Masters, playing conservatively is not the plan of attack for Tiger, who sits six shots back of leader Trevor Immelman and is alone in fifth place. The four players ahead of him have captured a total of zero major titles. Woods has 13. But in every one of those 13, he entered the final round as the leader (often by multiple strokes) or tied for the lead.

If ever there was a perfect moment for Tiger to put a huge dent in his “can’t play from behind” reputation, it is today. But to capture his fifth Masters title and 14th major, he needs not only to score low, but for his presence to shake up those ahead of him.

Both are very plausible scenarios. Soon enough we’ll see if it’s a reality.

–WKW