By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
It was April 12, 1997, and the sports world -and most of entire world– stopped.
Tiger Woods shocked the country and probably most of the nation as he capped a mind-boggling and jaw-drooping weekend at the Masters with a 18-under 270, the lowest round in the history of the tournament, and the lowest total ever recorded in any of the four Grand Slam events.
Woods was the pinnacle of his game and was sport’s spokesperson at the time. Golf once again had a superstar with the same status as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Since then, we all know Wood’s tragic slide in his golf and professional life too well, and his near exit from the sport. A near paralyzing car crash that began a long and painful recovery didn’t help his cause. His personal affairs with women tarnished what initially appeared as a great American success story.
Through it all, though, sports’ fans of all kinds are pulling for Woods. He’s back on the links and golf’s seismic meter registered an above-average number. Woods’ magnetism never left the public.
At 48, Woods is seen as the past-his-prime hero longing to pull one more off. It would be one of greatest comebacks in sports history to see Woods win another major, preferably at Augusta early Sunday evening.
Woods transcended the sport, and he has become bigger than Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Granted they were the gold standard in their time, but we live in a different world today due to social media and our every-changing technology.
Nicklaus’ long-standing total of 18 majors may be intact for quite some time despite Woods once being well in range with his 15.
Now, 27 years later – it doesn’t seem that long – Woods is back at the Masters’ this weekend looking to regain some of the luster that he lost. He fired an opening-round 73, and some of that buried Tiger momentum began a slow crawl.
He shot an even-par 72 Friday and made the cut with a 1-over after two rounds. Another Masters’ record fell into his lap when he qualified for the final round for the 24th time.
As he left the course Friday, Woods was greeted by a steady streamline of applause, attempted handshakes and arm pulls, and shouts of encouragement.
He still is golf’s centerpiece, albeit one that regarded as a Lazy Susan from the 1960s and ‘70s. (I hope enough of you can remember that reference from your kitchen tables and/or counters).
America still loves the story of the aging star who still seemingly has enough to conquer.
The golf world has been seeking a replacement for Woods, but they haven’t found anyone. Scott Scheffler is the latest anticipated one to fill the void. No one has shown to be able to capture the ratings like Woods can.
Like him or hate him, Woods will be the focal point of the final two rounds. If he can be in contention Sunday, Woods’ mania will be back in full gear. It certainly will also help with the upcoming RBC Heritage Classic in nearby Hilton Head the following weekend.
You’ll know Sunday if there’s a buzz in the air and people are glued to their sets, and you’ll know why.
