The news that Tiger Woods is likely out from knee surgery until the Memorial, just two weeks before the U.S. Open, is bad for the PGA Tour. But it's probably good for Tiger.
No great athlete enjoys not actually competing in his sport more than Tiger Woods. Serena Williams was close for a while, but Tiger's likely passed her.
The greatest golfer in history - and please let's stop any of this ridiculous talk that Tiger might not blow by Jack Nicklaus anymore just because he finished second at the Masters - has gotten to the point where he likes to actually practice his craft less than Barbara Streisand. Tiger treats every time he plays like it's the Super Bowl now and it largely works for him.
There's been some TV talk noting that Tiger has never won the Masters when he's played less than six events before it (he's only played five prior the last two years). The theory being that Tiger hasn't given himself enough tournament time to prep for the Masters. Good hypothesis, but unfortunately for the game it's probably the complete opposite.
If anything, Tiger might have peaked too early this year. He was unstoppable through the first four tournaments of this season, which will probably make him conclude he should only play thrice before Augusta next year. Forget those 15-16 tournaments a year, we may be approaching the day when Woods plays 11 or 12.
This all makes the forced knee surgery break likely the perfect leadup to the U.S. Open for Tiger. You'll read plenty of stories telling you that this knee trouble endangers Tiger's hold on Torrey Pines.
Think again. This all but guarantees he'll win it. Tiger is twice as strong when he has a chance for a long recharge: Witness the three wins in four tournament run he went on upon return from the prior knee surgery.
Tiger Woods is turning into the Greta Garbo of golf. It's bad for golf fans, but great for his trophy case. Elin probably doesn't mind either.
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