Does anyone care about Tiger Woods anymore? It was hard to imagine that just a few years ago, Tiger Woods was dominating the game of golf like no-one before him.
He was on track not only to eclipse Jack Nicholas’s record of 16 majors, but was set to blow it out of the water.
Tiger changed the face of golf. He brought the standard of golf to a whole other level, and in doing so, left the then current players group in his wake.
Such was his success, Woods held the world number one status for a record 281 weeks on his way to 71 PGA tour victories and 14 majors.
This all came to an end when his off course action caught up to him, along with a string of injuries. At the beginning of the Woods drama, it was hard to see how golf would survive without him.
The best player in the world, the man who brought the game of golf to centre stage, was now absent from the game, and in the beginning, so were the number of people watching golf on TV.
Now there is a new wave of exciting young golfers who grew up watching Tiger light up the course.
The new generation of Rory Mcilroy (22), Jason Day (23), and Ricky Fowler (22) have the game heading in the right direction. They are young, aggressive, daring and have a great attitude and respect for the game.
I am once again excited to watch the PGA Tour.
So does anyone care that Tiger is not playing? In my view the answer is unequivocally YES!
No matter your view of Tiger Woods for his off course behaviour, there is no doubting his ability and skill on the course. Tiger Woods has done more for the game of golf than many give him credit for.
This new generation of stars were inspired to play from watching him play. As good as these young talents are, golf still wants and needs Tiger.
Golf wants to see Vintage Tiger take on the best of the young guns.
Just like when Tiger burst onto the scene and you wanted to see him take on the old guard, that is true again, except this time Tiger is the old guard.
Will we see Tiger back to his best and lift another major trophy? Does anyone care?
I believe we will, and YES I believe we care!
Chucked
Guest
McIlroy is actually 27, Day is almost 30 -not 22 and 23. fowler is 29 not 22. People seem to forget how close Woods was just 3 years ago to winning another Masters. His 2nd shot to the par 5 13th hit the flag and bounced back into the water. There was the controversy over his drop, end result was he took a 7 yet finished just two behind the eventual winner. Had that ball landed one inch to the side its missed the flag, and an almost certain birdie or very good chance of eagle and another masters jacket. Golf needs Tiger.
Adrian
Guest
He won't win four more majors Mickleson has taken a whole career to win four and Woods won't get back to that level. I think the European Tour has taken a lot from the PGA Tour all the current top players play the Euro Tour. On that note it has to be time for a real World Tour like the ATP is for tennis. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Matt F
Guest
There was a period just after he stopped playing that a big hole existed. We know the ratings, particularly in the USA, took a big dive but I'm not sure how much they've improved lately if at all. However Mcilroy, Day and the rest of the younger generation (as you mentioned) have popped up at the perfect time.
Sports Writer
Guest
Want him? Yes. Need him? Obviously not
john
Guest
18 majors
mushi
Roar Guru
I don't care. Tiger did a lot to get golf front and centre in the sports pysche but these guys are more than enough to keep it there.