Tiger’s next chapter a hot topic for players and fans

Sometimes you hear or read of complaints that TV coverage shows him more than the other players and it’s true, they do.

The return of Tiger Woods was more about the big picture than any of his big numbers.

Golf commentators on the Golf Channel and NBC opened each live broadcast with colourful commentary on the beauty of Albany and The Bahamas in general as scenic shots of the island were shown.

“He’s going to be one of the top guys to beat for a very long time”, said Woods, who made his comeback this week from a 16-month back injury layoff.

“From what we saw this past week, I think Tiger definitely has many more wins in him”.

Hurricane Matthew wiped out the final event of the Web.com Tour Finals, leaving several players without a last chance to earn PGA Tour cards because the new season started the following week in California at the Safeway Open. It took him a while, but he seems to have have finally received the message. Even kicking around a football with his children “is certainly unsafe because you’re not activated”.

Woods made 24 birdies, the most of anyone this week.

American Woods, 40, made his comeback after an absence of nearly 16 months caused by chronic back problems to finish 15th in an elite 17-man field at last week’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

But those rumors of demise proved to be greatly exaggerated when he finally returned to competition at last week’s Hero World Challenge. That never happens. How did he do? “But it’s such a lovely country and the beaches, and the oceans and the sea, to be able to just wake up and look out at the handsome scenery and also to be able to play golf on a great golf course at the same time, it was a marvelous week”. Everyone, including Tiger, could breathe a sigh of relief. I’ve seen his swing. Did his finish look balanced?

Woods’ swing looked free, not as though he was guarding against missing in any certain direction as he had in his most recent outings. Yes, yes and … yes.

Tiger Woods of the United States waves after putting on the 11th hole during round three of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 3, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas.

In the first round, no, he couldn’t.

Friday’s second round had flashes of the Tiger of old, especially on the 16th hole. That torrid form carried into the third round when he played the first seven holes in six under.

It doesn’t take much for bettors to take interest in Tiger Woods.

Woods doesnt like any victory that doesnt come with a trophy, so he was quick to point out “silly mistakes” and six double bogeys whenever he caught himself getting too excited talking about his good golf. Now he just needs to limit the bad. That’s the Tiger we’ve all missed.

Iwata’s drill is to make 10 short putts in a row with a conventional grip, using only the left hand and only the right hand. If he can mitigate that tendency, he’ll be way ahead of where he was.

He impressed with hard and tricky shots on all four days, but his careless driving -mostly away from the fairways -prevented him from finishing above 15th with a 4-under 284 (73-65-7076) in a 17-man field.