Golf Fans Eager For Tiger Woods To Return To Competitive Golf

Aug 7, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; PGA golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson walk to the 13th green during the first round of the 2014 PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

I can’t believe I’m already hyping a tournament that has no impact on FedEx Cup, or Race To Dubai standings for the 2015 season, but I can’t wait for the Hero Challenge to get underway in two weeks. It’s a star-studded, 18-man field, but the only guy I’m interested in watching, is Tiger Woods.

It will be the first time we have been able to watch the aging super-star, and 14-time major champ since he withdrew from the PGA Championship due to back issues in August, when he takes to the first tee at the Hero Challenge early in December. It’s his tournament in Orlando, but all eyes will be on Tiger to see if he will be able to compete in 2015.

Hard-core golf fans around most of the world say that Golf is doing fine without Tiger, but I disagree. I spent over an hour watching Tiger hit balls on the range at Valhalla on the Golf Channel as top players were on the course for the Pro-Am festivities, and the camera never moved. That move showed me how important Tiger Woods is to this game, and this industry.

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SBNation is reporting via Emily Kay, that Tiger has lost some weight, and is anticipating a return to action in 2015. He is a leaner version of what we have been accustomed to seeing over the past few years, and via Tim Rosaforte from Golf Digest they are saying his old college teammate, Notah Begey III is offering swing and moral support.

"“He is trying to remind Tiger of what he did well back in the ‘90s,” said Rosaforte, referring to the heyday of the 38-year-old 14-time major champion.Rosaforte also suggested that Woods’ “new body type” was an effort to recreate the look and feel of his glory days. “Maybe it’s sort of a throwback to the ‘90s,” said Rosaforte."

With Rory McIlroy back on his game, and the large contingency of European Tour players who have moved up in status while Tiger has been inactive, this should be a great 2015 season.

Phil Mickelson has been reported to be getting in shape after a 2014 season that saw only one top-ten finish, while Dustin Johnson is being reported to return from his suspension at the Farmers Insurance in early February.

You know, if healthy, Tiger and Phil will both be at Torrey Pines. Not sure at this point if Rory will be there as well, but this could be the first great tournament of the season. A tough golf course, and the site of Tiger’s last major championship should serve well to delight hard-core fans, as well as casual fans who don’t watch unless Tiger is in the field.

I had written back in 2012 that if Tiger didn’t get a major in 2013, he would never catch, or pass Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major championships. I have always though he would have no problem catching Sam Snead’s record of 81 PGA Tour victories, but the 18th and 19th major would be a tough task.

I still feel that Jack’s record is secure, but wouldn’t it be great for golf if he could get healthy and make a legitimate run at that record?

The other date on my calender with a circle on it, is the 2015 Masters. Rory will be looking for the Career Slam, Tiger will be looking for number 15, and Bubba Watson will have a third Green Jacket on his agenda. I don’t know if I can wait that long, but the Hero Challenge, in two weeks should give us a preview of what is to come in 2015.

Source: SBNation

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