It aint easy being brilliant...

#1…TIGER WOODS

This man, and this man alone is responsible for making PGA Tour golf “watchable.” This man is responsible for bringing a sport so often thought of amongst most Americans as “boring,” to the mainstream. He is not only the greatest golfer of this generation, he is most likely the greatest golfer of all-time, and the most recognizable athlete in the world.

All of that being said, there are varying opinions on Tiger Woods throughout the world. There were varying opinions on Woods BEFORE all of his indscretions outside of wed lock were brought to the surface last year.

Many didn’t like the fist pumps, the tossing of the club after a bad shot, the cursing, the screaming, etc. Amongst many traditionalists, golf was a gentleman’s game and Tiger, despite being the best golfer in any doubter’s lifetime, didn’t quite play the game the way they want him too.

As a result of his numerous acts of adultery, Tiger has lost millions of sponsorship dollars, the support of the average female, his spotless public image, and apparently at least as of now, his ability to win at the highest level in the sport of golf. Love him or hate him, the sport of golf simply CANNOT make it without him. Despite your feelings torwards Tiger, when he plays you’re tuning in like hell to see what happens.

Out of those of you reading this post, which of you paid any ttentionat all to the PGA or the sport of golf?

There are TWO storylines in golf that the world abroad gives a damn about:

1. Will Tiger Woods ever regain his past form?
2. Will Tiger Woods eclipse Jack Nichlaus record for total major Championships won?

Sure, golf as a whole is in a great place right now. There are so many talented golfers from all around the world. It is nearly impossible to predict with any amount of certainty which golfer will win on any given weekend.

Such a wide range spread of talent in a sports should be a good thing, right?

Not in golf.

Tiger Woods is currently ranked 17th in the world. Here are the 16 golfers ranked ahead of him:

1. Luke Donald
2. Lee Westwood
3. Martin Kaymer
4. Rory Mcilroy
5. Steve Stricker
6. Phil Mickelson
7. Jason Day
8. Matt Kuchar
9. Graeme McDowell
10. Nick Watney
11. Charl Schwartzel
12. Dustin Johnson
13. Paul Casey
14. KJ Choi
15. Bubba Watson
16. Ian Poulter

How many of them would you recognize if they were standing RIGHT beside you in a checkout line at a grocery store? For the average person, I’m going to say no more than 3. But would you recognize the top 16 NBA, MLB, or NFL players? Most likely.

Tiger Woods not playing in tournaments is bad for golf. Tiger Woods performing badly in tournaments he DOES play in is bad for golf. Tiger Woods not winning is sure as hell bad for golf.

Rory Mcilroy’s unbelievable 72 round, record breaking score at the US Open was the stuff legends are made of.

And it was news for 5 days.

Tiger Woods marital status has been news for 2 YEARS.

If Tiger isn’t playing and playing well, the average sports fan could give a fuck less about golf. Hell, they are more interested in the NFL and NBA LOCKOUTS than the PGA tour.

I personally believe that Tiger can get CLOSE to being as good as he was. And being only in his mid 30’s, has plenty of time to make a run at the all time majors record. But his extended break shows that if nothing else, Tiger is scared now. He knows that he can no longer go out there with obvious injurier and whoop every other golfer’s ass like he used to. He knows if he is going to come back and dominate like he once did, he is going to have to go through the motions and come back 100%.

Tiger CAN be as good as he was, and he definitely needs to try.

Tiger Woods can’t leave golf alone, the game needs him.