Has Tiger's game slipped?

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 7/07/2004

Chicago, Illinois - It has been nearly one calendar year since Tiger Woods, the most famous athlete in the world, last won a regular 72-hole PGA tournament. Last year, for the first time in five years, another player, VJ Singh, captured the 2003 PGA Tour Money title, which goes to the player who wins the most money on tour.

Tiger had won the Money title the five previous years, a PGA record. Last year, Tiger had knee surgery and still earned PGA Player of the Year honors, also for a record fifth straight year. Now he has gone eight straight major tournaments without a win. The majors are the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and the PGA Championship. Tiger has won eight career majors.

In fact, the last time Tiger came close to winning a major championship was the PGA Championship here in Minnesota two years ago at Hazeltine National, when Rich Beem beat Woods by one shot. So far this year, Tiger has won once; he won the Match Play title at LaCosta in San Diego in April.

He has been playing better the last couple of months, but by his incredible standards, his game is not where it was. For many, the question is why.

He's still far and away number one in the world ranking, and is currently number four on the PGA tour Money list. He has admitted that his 2004 season has fallen short of his own standards, not to mention the public's and the media's.

His break-up with former coach Butch Harmon and the effect of his relationship with his fiancŽe, Elin Nordegren, are popular reasons that people point to, as well as the constant talk about his swing.

"It's frustrating because I have to answer it again and again," Woods said of the questions. "But I understand the media's point of view. They are trying to do their job."

I like to keep things in perspective. First of all, Tiger extended his PGA record streak of making the cut since 1998 to the present, which means he qualified for the weekend in 126 consecutive events in which he finished in the money.

Before Tiger, the best ever was 113 by Byron Nelson between 1941-48 and Jack Nicklaus, 105, between 1970-76. So even when he is not winning, he is still by far the most consistent player on tour.

He's still the number one-rated player in the world, but there are six players this year alone who have more tournament wins than Tiger. They are Masters champion Phil Mickelson, VJ Singh, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, Adam Scott, and U.S. Open Champion Retief Goosen. That's six players who have stepped up and brought the challenge to Woods.

"My game is very close to coming together," Woods said. "I know I keep saying that, but I feel in my heart of hearts that it is." Tiger was defending champion last weekend at the Cialis Western Open in Chicago, a tournament he has won three times including last year. Despite a brilliant third round 65, he finished in a tie for seventh place at five under par.

Tiger has admitted that his knee injury of late 2002 caused swing faults that he still is working to erase. With two majors left - the British Open in two weeks and the PGA Championship - there is still time for Tiger to save this year. Remember, he won seven of 11 majors from 1999 to 2002, including four straight. No one in history has come even close to that remarkable run.

I still think Tiger will straighten out his driver and win majors again. Has the gap been closed? Yes, it has, but Tiger will rise again; it's just a matter of staying confident and keeping things in perspective.