Stage is set for Tiger vs. Phil
Tim Finchem likes to say the value of the PGA Tour is not so much star-driven as it is based on the depth and breadth of talent. While there is an element of truth in what the commissioner says, it is an element akin to one of those on the far end of the periodic table that exists only ever-so-briefly.
Yes, there are a ton of talented players on tour, but the average fan would be hard-pressed to pick out many of them in a police lineup. The truth is that individual stars drive the popularity of golf, just as they do in tennis and boxing.
That's why we need Tiger Woods back sooner rather than later.
The last time Woods picked up a golf club in competition was April 9, the final round of The Masters. And while some would argue that the emergence of Phil Mickelson as a true superstar makes Woods' absence less painful, it is precisely because of Lefty's ascent that we need Tiger back now. With Mickelson having won the last two majors, and he and Woods having combined to win four of the last five, the stage is set for the most tantalizing rivalry since Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Such confrontations attract the sports fan only casually concerned with golf.
Woods is one of those rare individuals who can drive a sport alone. He did it in 1997 when he won the Masters by 12 strokes and again during that remarkable run from the 1999 PGA Championship through the 2002 U.S. Open when he won seven of the 11 majors. But even excellence can grow old. Domination in a vacuum can come up, well, empty. Woods at his best resembled Joe Louis defending the heavyweight title against the bum of the month. What we have now in Tiger and Lefty are two heavyweights ready to go toe-to-toe. All we need is for Tiger to bring it on.
The true measure of the greatness of Muhammad Ali was that he had to fight Joe Frazier three times. The brilliance of Björn Borg was best defined against the brashness of John McEnroe. And while there are certainly those who can name the current heavyweight champions, the last time the general public was aware of the titleholder was when Mike Tyson reigned. Like Tyson, Tiger is the man who brings the sometimes fan into the tent. And like Tyson, Tiger makes the avid fan shake his head in disbelieving appreciation.
Woods has more titles to win. That's the deal he made with Earl, and Pops' passing will only intensify his son's mission to break Nicklaus' record for majors, whether you consider that number 18 or 20. Here's my guess: Tiger, who is already in the New York area (he was at the Yankees game Friday night and played a practice round at Winged Foot the next day) will make his return at the Barclays Classic at Westchester CC next week. Meantime, he will no doubt sneak over to Winged Foot a few more times. He is readying for his return.
Woods knows Mickelson is going for his third consecutive major, which would leave him one shy of the Tiger Slam. You think Tiger wants that to happen?
Imagine: Woods and Mickelson fighting it out for the U.S. Open on Father's Day. Tiger trying to win one for Pops, Lefty looking for another group hug with his three children.
This is what golf needs. Forget the any-guy-on-any-given-Sunday thing. Let's get the heavyweight champ back in the ring, and let's have Lefty take his best shot at him. Golf needs it.
Ron Sirak is the executive editor of Golf World magazine
