From the moment he said, “Hello, world,” Tiger Woods has always been able to change the conversation.
And he’s done it again.
With his victory at the Masters on Sunday, Woods changed the narrative from “what if” to “what’s next?”
- Can he win three more major championships to tie Jack Nicklaus?
- When will he win again and tie Sam Snead’s PGA Tour record of 82 victories?
- And, some have asked if the Grand Slam could be in play this year.
The answers, in order, are:
Yes; sometime this year; and let’s pump the brakes on that last one.
It’s difficult to overstate the impact of what Woods accomplished not just at Augusta but in the months, even years, leading to the most joyous celebration of his 81 victories. As much as particular shots may be remembered – the smart play to the 12th green and his heart-racing tee shot at the par-3 16th that set up the decisive birdie, among them – it was the pure elation Woods displayed on the 18th green that lingers.
This is different from Nicklaus’ victory in the 1986 Masters. That was wholly unexpected and tear-inducing, the last great performance by the best player the world had seen. It remains the emotional touchstone in major championship golf for the simple reasons of who, what, when and where.
Woods’ victory Sunday rivals what Nicklaus did. But it comes from a different direction. This was a victory of perseverance; of talent; and of willpower. He didn’t just win another green jacket. Tiger won a personal battle fought on multiple fronts, reinventing himself and his game, emerging into a place he’s never before been.
The Masters has been over for a few days but the buzz continues. According to CBS Sports, more than 32 million people watched at least part of the Masters on Sunday, either when it was on live or during the afternoon replay, demonstrating that for all the conjecture about what it would be like should Woods ever win another major, the reality was bigger than imagined.
The front page of the Monday New York Times was dominated by an enormous photo of Woods celebrating his victory, a veritable billboard recognizing the moment, by a publication not given to hyperbole.
Woods has said often in his return to competitive golf that he didn’t need to win another major championship but he wanted to win one. Now that he’s done it, it’s human nature to imagine what else he might do.
As great as he’s been – and Woods played the greatest golf ever seen in 2000 and 2001 – this felt different.
This was heartwarming.
Two years ago, it didn’t seem possible. One year ago, it seemed improbable. Now, the game is on again.
“I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I knew the 15th major was going to be the hardest,” said Rickie Fowler, who’s played regular practice rounds with Woods in South Florida.
“He had plenty to go win. He just had to go out there and do it. It’s a lot easier to talk about versus going and actually doing it. To get his 15th after a long wait, it’s cool stuff.
“It keeps 18 in play.”
Woods hadn’t had time to change out of his red mock turtleneck shirt before the questions were coming about his renewed pursuit of Nicklaus’ major championship record.
Earlier this year, Woods set the record straight about the famous list of Nicklaus’ achievements he kept on his bedroom wall. That list did not include the Golden Bear’s 18 major championships.
It’s still unlikely Woods will get there. Nicklaus and Ben Hogan both won three majors in their 40s. If Woods can match them, he will still be one short of 18.
With the PGA Championship a month away at Bethpage Black where Woods won a U.S. Open, and with the American national championship going back to Pebble Beach in June (Woods’ 15-stroke victory there in the 2000 U.S. Open is the greatest tournament performance ever), it’s easy to imagine him knocking down more majors like bowling pins.
That’s not realistic nor fair. If Woods never wins another major championship, his legacy is complete. He came back from places most of us can’t imagine.
Passing Snead as the tour’s all-time winner would be an enormous achievement, one that’s been underappreciated because of the focus on major championships. Snead did it over 30 years and Tiger is in his 24th season but he’s lost the equivalent of five years due to injury.
Getting to 83 is something Woods wants to do.
Woods has said often in his return to competitive golf that he didn’t need to win another major championship but he wanted to win one. Now that he’s done it, it’s human nature to imagine what else he might do.
That’s Woods’ gift and, in a sense, his curse. He’s been so good, so mind-bending at times, that he’s conditioned us to expect the improbable. No one else can do that.
When Woods tees it up again – the Wells Fargo Championship has been inundated with media credential requests in anticipation of that being his next start though Woods has remained noncommittal – he can bring the green jacket with him if he wants.
It fits him like nothing else.