The 2010 Masters: Don't put Tiger to sleep just yet
Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 01 April 2011 - 17:09
Author: Nigel Brown
Let us rewind to 1986. Journalists around the globe had labeled the then seventeen time Major winner Jack Nicklaus as a “has-been,” “washed up,” and “passed it.” A new breed of sultry swingers had been preached about on both sides of the Atlantic including Nick Faldo, Bernard Langer, Greg Norman, and of course, Seve Ballesteros.
Pundits and journalists were predicting a change at the top of the world rankings and that Augusta would be the swansong for 46-year-old Nicklaus before the baton was passed to the next generation. The roar of Amen corner would be drawn from respect at achievements past, rather than a rasping approach or rip roaring drive to glories new.
Bear motivation
The Golden Bear though had other ideas about the 50th Masters tournament. He wasn’t about to hobble around the course with a walking stick or condemn himself to lazy days on the Senior Tour.
A fantastic piece in this month’s Golf Monthly recalls the story of a journalist, Tom McCollister, who chose the run-up to that tournament to write what was effectively Nicklaus’ obituary – an ode to a career on a downward spiral. It rankled greatly.
Instead of reaching for a bag of prunes Nicklaus is said to have stuck this article on his fridge, and every time he laid eyes on it snorted angrily – “I’ll show him who’s done and washed up.”
While Nick Price was setting the course record with a third round 63 (equaled by Greg Norman in 1996), Nicklaus was starting a magnificent assault on the leader board. The Golden Bear shot a final round of 65, including shooting a back 9 of 30, taking him to -9, with a superb shot at the 8th hole to save par out of the trees. The worldly shot was the catalyst to a -7 round, which saw all young upstarts blown out of the running.
German master Bernard Langer, the reigning champion, and one of Nicklaus’ mooted heirs was forced to hand over the green jacket to the Golden Bear. The result firmly established the latter as the greatest golfer in the history of the game, and as one of a few feted personalities who could rightly lay claim to a place in the pantheon of all-time sporting giants.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Nicklaus even returned to Augusta at the age of 58, 12 years later, to shake up the pack once more, this time, finishing 6th.
Beware of the Woods
Much has been written about Tiger Woods’ recent travails – the missing form, the personal problems, the loss of respect. He knows though more than ever that on the course it is about man versus the elements.
For Tiger Woods to truly pen his name alongside the Golden Bear, he too must defy the odds when people have written him off, and use the new-found feeling of ‘love-to-hate-Tiger’ as motiviation. Yes, he is no longer omnipotent or invincible on the course or in his personal life, but when push comes to shove he must know deep down that he is still the best golfer on the planet.
Few can forget Woods’ relationship with Augusta; he famously broke his Majors duck there with a win, at the tender age of 22, in 1997. If he was able to handle such pressure at such a young age it would be fool hardy to write him off at the age of 35 and with 71 PGA Tour wins, 38 European PGA Tour wins, and 14 Majors to his name – including 4 Masters wins.
2010 saw Mr Woods at his most vulnerable. Unrecognisable even. The 2011 Masters could well see the start of his renaissance and a renewed assault on Jack Nicklaus’s record.
They say life begins at 30, for Woods’ sake let’s say 35. Keep listening as the most famous Tiger on the planet could be about to roar again. Rule him out at your peril. I know where my money is going.
And we all remember this shot in 2005: The chip at the 16th Hole.