At approximately 2:30 p.m. EDT yesterday, everyone stopped talking about Trump or the 3,000 announced candidates for the Democratic nomination.  It was all about Tiger.  After what many, including Tiger, believed were career ending back surgeries less than two years ago, Woods restarted his quest to match or surpass Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors (now at 15) and Sam Snead’s 82 PGA victories (81 for Tiger).

With the live coverage and post-tournament recaps, one would think the media had said everything there was to say about this event.  Except for one.  CBS, earlier in the day, flashed a chryon noting Tiger had never won a major tournament when he did not lead at the end of day three.  The fact he did this for the first time in his 22 year pro career got lost in the hoopla about his comeback from personal and medical issues which had derailed his quest for major championships for almost 11 years.

It brings to mind Yogi Berra’s infamous assessment of his sport, “Baseball is 90 percent mental.  The other half is physical.”  No doubt, Tiger’s victory is a miracle of modern medicine.  Kudos to his doctors and trainers for finding a path to recovery.  But more than baseball, golf is an exercise in mental acuity.  There was something equally important going on in his head.  And without that cerebral component, it would have been just one more April at Augusta National.

So let me play amateur psychologist for a moment.  Until Tiger’s ex-wife Elin introduced the rear window of his SUV to a five iron, Woods was on top of the world.  He did not know what it meant to have to come from behind to win a major golf tournament.  On those rare occasions when he was in striking distance going into the final round, it was alien to him.  If he expected his challengers to fold as they often did when he was in charge, he was mistaken.  Even when  it looked like he might make his move, he did not.  It was not in his DNA.

Until January 2018.  His return to the PGA tour was a disaster.  Some of his most avid fans such as ESPN’s Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser questioned whether the comeback attempt was a mistake.  Tiger was no longer on top, and more importantly the intimidation factor which spooked his opponents for over a decade was gone.  Not only did he need to get his health back.  He needed a new mindset.

For 65 holes this past week, nothing seemed to have changed.  Francesco Molinari beat back Tiger’s every attempt to catch him.  Announcers Jim Nance and Nick Faldo marveled at Molinari’s composure.  And then came  #12, the short par three which has swallowed up more than its share of championship hopes.  The Italian’s double bogey gave Tiger a share of the lead.  How did the four-time Masters winner respond?  Birdies on #13, #15 and #16 which game him an insurmountable two-stroke lead.

As it turned out when Tiger bogeyed the final hole, several players could have still forced a playoff with their own birdies on #17 or #18.  But Tiger was once again in their heads.  They now believed, even if they had come within reach, Woods would respond.  This was not the old Tiger who grabbed a lead early and held off any comers.  This was a new Tiger who now understands he does not always have to be on top to win in the end.

In other words, he saw; he came back, he conquered.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP