Dream return to form for golf's living legend
Tiger Woods came another step closer to winning his 15th Major in St Louis, Missouri (9-12 August). Heaven knows the scale of the mass hysteria that would have broken out among the fans at Bellerive Country Club if Tiger had won the 100th PGA Championship! He came within a whisker of victory, graciously accepting defeat by two strokes from fellow-American, Brooks Koepka. The 28-year old from West Palm Beach, Florida had the honour of lifting the Wanamaker Trophy, his third Major title in just over a year, after a steely performance shooting a Major championship-equalling record of 264. But, let’s talk about Tiger.
Tiger played brilliantly at Bellerive. On Sunday, a birdie at the 9th hole got him to 11-under and a share of second place with defending champion Justin Thomas, just two shots off the pace. Despite not having hit a single fairway on the front nine, the 42-year old former World Number One continued to pile the pressure on leader Koepka on the back nine. Even when his ball hovered agonisingly on the lip at the 11th, awaiting a sneeze from the fans but failed to drop, Tiger didn’t seemed phased.
Relaxed and smiling Tiger
His new-found patience paid off at the next, the par-4 12th, where a weird situation saw Woods and playing partner Gary Woodland have to wait until the greenkeeper had repaired damage to the hole caused by Woodland’s approach shot that pitched in the hole and rebounded out. The American had taken the championship by storm the first two days and was still proving his worth down the back stretch, no doubt further inspired by Tiger. After the necessary repairs, both players calmly holed out for birdie. Tiger was on a roll. And the crowds felt it. The 100th PGA Championship was really hotting-up.
It was great to see Tiger actually looking as if he was enjoying himself out on the course – even smiling and laughing at times. His solid performance (tie 6th) in The Open at Carnoustie a few weeks earlier had obviously given him a much-needed confidence boost.
Return of the gladiator
Even though the sweat was pouring out of his body in the humid temperatures in Missouri, Tiger appeared super relaxed. Alas, his putt for par at the 14th horse-shoed out of the hole. The costly bogey saw him slip back to 12-under only to bounce back with a birdie at the next. An approach to the heart of the green at the par-3, 16th gave him another chance of birdie but his putt pulled-up short.
Yet even after his unwelcome visit to the water hazard at 17 where he managed to save par, Tiger kept his focus. He was the pumped-up, hungry gladiator of old when he finished his challenge in a blaze of air-punching glory with a birdie at the last to get to 14-under par. He had had a slow start to the 100th PGA Championship shooting a level par round of 70 on Thursday, but then found his form carding back-to-back 66s and then a phenomenal 6-under par on Sunday. His closing 64 is the lowest round Tiger has ever shot in the final round of a Major.
What a comeback after all that he’s been through the last few years – his back operations, his relationship dramas and other scandals, and consequently, his total dip in form on the golf course. His golf reached rock-bottom. His world ranking too. It’s amazing to realise that his last Major victory was ten years ago – the 2008 US Open.
The crowds were ecstatic at Bellerive. And very loud. It was as if the whole of America was behind him. But the crowds were also cheering for the 14-year younger Koepka. He is one of the new generation of golfers who have been growing into Tiger’s shoes during the living legend’s absence.
The year 2018 will long be remembered as the year that Tiger Woods nearly won his 15th Major. It has cost him blood, buckets of sweat, and tears, but what a season … Tiger is back!
Wendy Hoad
Nice to know …
Tiger on target: It wasn’t until the 10th hole that Tiger finally found the fairway with his drive in the PGA Championship on Sunday!
Rare occurrence: Only five players have ever won the US Open and the PGA Championship in the same year: Gene Sarazen (1922), Ben Hogan (1948), Jack Nicklaus (1980), Tiger Woods (2000) and Brooks Koepka (2018).
Leading PGA scores and prizemoney: 1st Brooks Koepka (US) -16, 264 (69 ,63, 66, 66) €1,710,125; 2nd Tiger Woods (US) -14, 266 (70, 66, 66, 64) €1,026,075; 3rd Adam Scott (Australia) -13, 267 (70, 65, 65, 67) €646,047.
Golden tournament for ‘veteran’ Cink: Yes, Stewart Cink, the 2009 Open Champion! The 45-year old American had a glorious week at Bellerive. He shot four rounds under 70 (67, 69, 66, 67) to get to 269 (11-under par) and so secure an impressive share of 4th place with Jon Rahm. They each received a handsome prize cheque for €422,565.
The best European at Bellerive? Well, that honour went to a Spaniard. You’ve guessed it – Jon Rahm! Francesco Molinari (Italy) and Thomas Pieters (Belgium) also had a great PGA finishing in a share of 6th place on 10-under with Americans Justin Thomas and Gary Woodland.
Tiger on the rise: Tiger Woods is currently ranked 26th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
CHECK OUT the PGA Championship final scoreboard for more scores HERE
PICTURED: Tiger Woods – back on form and back in contention during the 2018 PGA Championship.