When Tiger Woods fell so profoundly from grace a couple years ago, I thought, and wrote a blog about the likelihood, that he would never be at the top of golf again.
But, if you've seen some of the tournament in Abu Dhabi this week, or even seen the commentary on TV sports programs, you know that for the first time since those dreadful events knocked the Tiger for a loop, it appears that he is back in form.
And, my optimism isn't just that he's tied for the lead going into the last day tomorrow. It is much more about him, the man. He seems so much like the Tiger Woods of old that it is hard not to believe that he has turned a corner somewhere in his head-heart that has made him whole again.
He was smiling - of course being in the lead helps a lot - as he said that he made mistakes, told the other golfers that he didn't know exactly why he was in first position, and laughed as he said, "I was just having fun out there."
How long has it been since Tiger Woods last said he was having fun on a golf course. It was obvious in his play. There were no tantrums, no pounding a club into the ground, and no look of despair-disgust-with-himself on the Tiger's face.
Will he win the Abu Dhabi tournament tomorrow? Who knows. But, I think we can be assured that he'll win tournaments this year, that his presence will inspire the crowds to cheer and follow him as they used to, and that golf will once again benefit from the Tiger that made every weekend so memorable for golf fans around the world.
I told you when you wrote that blog that TIGER would be BACK, and guess what? HE IS!!! The only thing that could be better is to have Arnie 35 again and his army following him.
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