An Air of Excitement

The focus on today's entry has to do with news that has risen from the golf world like a Phoenix from the ashes. A re-birth of sorts... a "reincarnation" in a way but to be more precise. A return.

The golf world and Social Media outlets are electric with news that came out of the Tiger Woods camp. Heeeeee's baaack! It was announced today that Tiger Woods will be making his return to competitive golf. According to tigerwoods.com he is looking at returning to competitive golf in October when he hopes to tee it up in Napa, California at the Safeway Open to be played at Silverado Resort.This event would mark the beginning of the 2016-17 season and this news follows a recent post of mine about Nike and the "free agency" that's set to begin and how it will keep the "wraparound" season from becoming mundane. Golf Channel you're about to see a massive spike in your television ratings when this happens. I guess I should warn the European Tour about the ratings spike as well, seeing that Tiger is planning on playing in the Turkish Airlines Open in Antayla, Turkey in November. So far three events have been eyed up if you include the Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas in December. This is some exciting news that will get golf fans buzzing. After all, it already has.

Photo Credit: golfweek.com

Much has changed in the golf world since Tiger last played August 2015. We've seen a few changes atop the Official World Golf Rankings. We've crowned our first Olympic Golf Champion (Justin Rose) in 112 years. Golf has been introduced to a guy named "Beef" and with that a bumper crop of "young guns". The talent out on the tours and in the colleges is just so immense. Johnny Miller has been quoted saying that he thinks Tiger could win another 5-8 events. While I think that this statement could be described as valid I think it's possible. But it won't be "easy" like in the past because of those young guns. They're hungry and the "Sunday Red" isn't quite as bright and intimidating like it has been for a very long time.

Photo Credit: swingprofile.com

I have said in the past that I am not a Tiger Woods fan but I think I need to clarify. What I think I have been though is a closet fan.Where inwardly I am a fan of his just that I don't admit to it openly... until now. My golf idol(s) Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus did a lot for the game of golf. Especially, Mr. Palmer with his introduction and advent of Golf Channel. But for this generation Tiger Woods' popularity introduced many golfers to the game that otherwise may not have bothered to pick up a golf club or a video game controller. Events on television are definitely different when he's around and moreso when he's lurking around the first page of the leaderboard. Maybe Tiger coming back will inspire folks to return to the courses.... after all golf is dying right? In no way am I suggesting that golf "needs" him.

Photo Credit:  tigerwoods.com

I think it's cool that he's making his return. Hopefully, his rehabilitation has done exactly what it's supposed to do and he'll be back long-term. It sucks when you can't do something because of poor health or an injury. Let's face it... golf is just more exciting with Tiger around (no matter how many great young guns there are). Can he win 5-8 more events? Only time will tell.

Until The Next Tee!