Tiger Woods in 2009: FAIL

Photo Courtesy: SI

Tiger Woods has said that Major Championships is how he judges himself. By that standard, how can you not call 2009 a failure?

Yes, it seems harsh...coming off major knee surgery, and winning 5 regular PGA tournaments so far. However, his play in the four majors was downright subpar. The Masters was weak by his standard, but he definitely wasn’t 100% healthy, so you can give him a pass. He was on the wrong side of the draw and hit all of the awful weather at the US Open. He was flat out pathetic in missing the cut at Turnberry.

Those three pale in comparison to the PGA Championship at Hazeltine. Who was that man impersonating himself as Tiger Woods? All weekend, he had multiple chances to put the title out of reach and cruise to major win #15. However, time and time again he played so passively. Laying up, not gunning for the pins, and just not having his killer instinct that he is known for.

It is too simple to say he just didn’t putt well. There is no doubt that was the case. He could not string any birdies together because his flatstick let him down. However, it was more than that. While one contender after another was throwing up on themselves, Tiger didn’t take advantage. He played it so close to the vest. Shortening his drives, and aiming for the fat part of the greens. The end result, some guy named Y.E. Yang is the PGA champ. What might be more impressive is its Yang’s second time beating Tiger. Yang also outdueled the world’s number one in Shanghai.

There are no valid excuses in this major. His knee looked fine as he squatted after missing one putt after another. Not to mention, he was coming off back to back wins on the Tour. So that leaves only one conclusion.

For the first time ever, Tiger choked. Let that sink in for a second. Tiger CHOKED. I never thought that would happen. No more, “Tiger has never lost a major leading after 54 holes.” The mystique has been shattered by a player that only the hardest core golf fans even knew.

Tiger could win the rest of the tournaments this season, but there will still be a lot of questions when the azaleas bloom in Augusta in April.