What's Happening at Bear Mountain

Is Life Without Tiger Better or Worse?

I have to be honest, I was a pretty big Tiger fan. While I didn't like his behaviour on the course and how he treated the fans, I appreciated watching the best ever. The scandal and the subsequent revealing of the real Tiger Woods has made it pretty much impossible to be a Tiger Fan. His recent struggles with injury, form and mental strength now leaves him as a side note when he actually plays in an event.

So, what is life like without Tiger and will it be okay if he never regains his ability to shoot low scores? As a golf fan, I had my doubts originally. But, after events like the recent PGA Championship, I feel like it is a great time to be a fan of professional golf. You may not have been familiar with Jason Dufner or Keegan Bradley before this past weekend but they both turned in truly legendary performances. If Tiger or Phil had hit the ball the way Dufner had for the first 68 holes of the event, the announcers would have been calling it “the best ball striking performance in history”. And, imagine if Tiger had come back from making a triple bogey on the 15th hole with those two gutty birdies that Bradley made. The commentators would have been standing in line to anoint Tiger as the most mentally tough player of all time.

It used to be that those kinds of performances could only be turned in by a handful of stars. In today’s game, there are literally 100 players who might do something historic in the next event. I can’t wait for this weekend!

I used to tune the PGA Tour out if Tiger wasn’t playing. Now, it doesn't matter. I know something awesome is going to happen and the best part is, I don’t know who is going to do it or when it’s going to take place. That’s good TV!

Who will be the star this week? Tell us what you think in the comments below...your bet is as good as mine.

Have a great golf season
John Randle

Posted in: Golf

Comments

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 10:53 AM

Great points, John, and I completely agree. Tiger had incredible talent, and it was fun to see him at his prime, but there is something about all these little guys that are now finding themselves in the spotlight.

I especially loved Dufner's comments afterward about how much he loves the game. So refreshing to hear. As far as this weekend? Anyone could be the star, which is why golf is getting more and more fun to watch.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 8:02 PM

JR,

The Professional game is so wide open now and they're so many great guys and stories to root for. With Tiger's fall it seems these guys have more confidence to just be themselves and let go since they know that their not playing for second anymore.

The caliber of shot making and clutchness is out of this world now that Tiger isn't breathing down their throats. Even at the Masters when Tiger was teasing everyone with a apparent return to greatness guys like Scott, Day and Schwartzl were not backing down to him. It's evident these guys have seen the chink in his armor and are exploiting that.

I think you hit the nail on the head with the comment about his mental strength. How can the most dominate athlete with the strongest mind ever all of a sudden lose it? Sheer embarrassment of his image can be the only explanation. After all, he was playing amazing golf while he's cheating on his wife. Nothing changed besides the fact that everyone found out.

# MARK
Thursday, August 18, 2011 11:53 AM

John, great post but i would have to say I respectfully disagree with some of your points. To say that golf is just as exciting as when Tiger dominated for 14 years is absurd! As, a fan of the sport I love watching golf even till this day, but I dont feel the same way as when Tiger was dominating! It's not as enjoyable to watch a sport if u dont have that one guy dominating. Now, dont get me wrong it doesnt have to be Tiger Woods but golf needs a new figure to take over for Tiger if he really is "done". Listen to all the golf pundits, parity in golf is not good for ratings, People love to see history in the making!!! Its more fun to follow! IM just tiered of seeing 13 different winners of the last 13 majors. The PGA Championship was yes fun to watch at the end, but just amagine if that was Rory coming back to win it all. It would of been even more crazy. And im sure John you can agree with that. Dominance is fun to watch period!!!!!

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