2012 Is Upon Tiger Woods

In early December, we saw a sight on the golf course that used to be as common as opening gifts on Christmas morning: Tiger Woods winning an event. 

Woods didn’t just win; he did so in vintage style: a birdie on the final hole of the 2011 Chevron World Challenge followed by an emphatic fist pump.

After more than two years without a victory (and million$ of losses), Woods got the proverbial monkey off his back. Albeit the tournament was against a small field, didn’t have a cut line, and doesn’t actually count as a PGA Tour victory – Woods still finished 2011 on a victorious note, which was preceded by consistent, often flawless play in two events in Australia.

Welcome, 2012.

Woods, now age 36, has another full calendar year of events, including, most importantly, major championships (pending his unpredictable health, of course). He has been stuck on 14 major championship triumphs – four behind Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 – going on 3 1/2 years (his last major win: 2008 U.S. Open).

However, before the majors talk really begins, Woods has some tournaments to play, starting this week.

Beginning Thursday (or Wednesday night U.S. time), he will tee off in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in the United Arab Emirates. Aside from the fact that he’ll be making at least $1.7 million in an appearance fee alone, Woods will play on a course that he’s never competed on while against the world’s best. Namely, rising star Rory McIlroy and number one ranked Luke Donald – Woods’ playing partners in the first two rounds.

The group is a headliner, but there is a bigger picture here for Woods, win or lose: 1) Can he show the consistency of his swing and ball striking that was merely nonexistent for 24 months; and 2) How will he fare against two of the world’s best?

The latter question is only assessable when Woods’ game is truly on, because let’s face it: In the past two years that Donald and McIlroy have become stars, Woods has yet to stay healthy…both mentally and physically.

This week marks another important step for Woods since his life crashed in November 2009 – and by Sunday, we’ll know whether it’s another step forward.

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