What Tiger Woods’s Masters Win Means for Golf

Story posted April 16, 2019 in CommRadio, Sports by Preston Shoemaker

As Tiger Woods approached his ball in the rough off of the 18th green on Sunday, he was greeted with a roaring applause. Those who spend enough time on the PGA tour know that this is not uncommon, for Woods often draws a large crowd wherever he is on the golf course.

But this roar was different.

Following his two-foot putt to win the tournament, another thunderous roar echoed through the hills of Augusta National. It was a roar so loud that could only mean one thing: Tiger is back.

Tiger’s fifth green jacket has proved to be one of the greatest comeback stories in sports. After winning the U.S. Open in 2008, life took a sudden turn for Woods.

Marital disputes, a car accident, and injuries to his ACL, achilles, neck, and back all halted his career. Things sunk to a new low when Woods was charged with driving under the influence in 2017.

Woods fell out of the top 1,000 in the world during this time. The time was so trialing that many questioned if Woods could play professionally again, let alone compete for a championship.

These debates were put to rest when the flashes of red and black created a glimpse into the past on Sunday. They were colors that once struck fear into the hearts of the competition, and now they carry the same emotions.

This win brought life full circle for Woods. Whereas in the past he played for millions, Sunday he was playing for two: his children, who at ages 11 and 10 had never seen their father win a major. They were both in attendance for the event, creating an emotional embrace just off the 18th green.

So, what does Tiger’s incredible victory at the Masters mean for golf? It means that one of the greatest golfers of all time has returned to glory and competitors should once again fear him.

Woods is now three major victories away from tying Jack Nicklaus for most all time. He is an immediate contender for the rest of the year, with the next two majors this season being played at courses that Woods is quite familiar with.

The PGA Championship will take place at Bethpage Black Course in. May, where Woods won the 2002 U.S. Open by three shots. Following that, The U.S. Open will be at Pebble Beach Golf Links in June, where Tiger won the 2000 U.S. Open by a record setting 15 strokes.

Woods has proven that he can once again compete with the best in the world.  It is time to forget about the last 11 years. Tiger Woods has won the Masters at 43 years old and he will compete in tournaments week in and week out.

Woods’s championship run sparked the highest ratings peak the Masters has received on CBS since 2013. His recent success has sparked an interest in golf once again.

It is uncertain if Tiger will catch Nicklaus, but one thing is certain: the roar of tiger has returned, and it couldn’t be better for golf.

 

 

Preston Shoemaker is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email pus144@psu.edu.