It’s the end of August, the golf season is in its final weeks and soon a new FedEx Cup Champion will be crowned. Jordan Spieth seems poised to become to youngest winner of the title while the likes of Jason Day, Bubba Watson and several others will be gunning to supplant the 22-year old from the top of the standings. With only four tournaments to go, including this week’s Barclays, one question is most likely on the forefront of many golfers’ minds -- where is Tiger Woods?
Tiger's 2015 season ended quite suddenly after a meltdown during his final round at last week’s Wyndham Championship; Woods needed to finish solo second or better in order to extend his season. Riddled with injury and undergoing yet another swing change, Woods was never truly able to get his act together in 2015.
So what does this mean for the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods, and golf as a whole? Here are four reasons why Tiger’s absence in the FedEx Cup Playoffs is beneficial and positive for all of the parties involved.
#1: Allows For New Golfers To Earn The Spotlight
Tiger’s absence forces golf fans and commentators to cover other golfers not named Tiger Woods. For the better part of two decades, Tiger has been at the forefront of all conversations surrounding golf, and for very good reason.
However with his absence, golfers like Spieth and Day will finally be in the spotlight, even guys who generally receive very little praise will be featured entering this weekend’s tournament. Golf fans will be treated to coverage of previously unknown golfers and given a front row look at the future of golf.
With American golf fans looking to the next big thing, the lack of focus on Tiger will be great for the future of professional golf around the world.
#2: Gives Tiger A Chance To Spark His Game's Resurgence
Everyone that plays golf knows two of the tougher aspects of the great game. First, in order to get better, one must keep playing. The other? Golf always leaves you wanting more.
Tiger has the ill-afforded luxury of having to go through both of these painstaking lessons at the same time. Tiger, yet again working on a swing change, has only one option of getting back to form and that is to keep playing.
Looking back at Tiger’s last 4 starts, it was not until the Wyndham Championship that he resembled his old stellar self. Playing in a tournament he had previously skipped was not only a necessity to hopefully extend his season, but also served as an additional platform to hone his game.
Tiger’s abrupt close to his 2015 season after appearing poised to win the Wyndham will leave him hungry for a win and to come back stronger with more concentration in 2016. Not many would be surprised to see Tiger increase his 2016 early season schedule to fully prepare for The Masters and make a push to be back in the conversation for the best ever.
#3: Lowers Expectations For Tiger
With a dismal 2015 season many have begun to write Tiger off. They say "he is a hack and has nothing left”.
Are we simply witnessing the fall of one of the most dominant athletes ever? The likely answer is a resounding 'no'. With many bashing Tiger and writing him off, the expectations from fans and the media will be slightly less which, will result in Tiger getting a break, a break from the microscope he has been placed under for the last 20 years.
Allowing players like Spieth, Day and Rory McIlroy to take center stage, Tiger is now able to sit in the weeds and wait for his moment to pounce.
#4: What Happens If Woods Is Able To Win A Major In 2016
Jack Nicklaus won his final major at the 1986 Masters at the seasoned age of 46. Capping off his major championship career with his 18th title, Nicklaus was able to put six year major drought behind him to edge out Tom Kite and Greg Norman by one stroke.
Tiger will be 40 years-old next season, the same age that Nicklaus saw a turnaround in his game. Yes, Tiger has not won a major in over seven years, but with some time enough to allow his body and mind to fully recuperate, can we expect to see Tiger in form when the tour returns to Augusta National in 2016?
If he does happen to win at Augusta, would this surpass Jack’s triumphant return in ’86 or will this simply further cloud the comparisons between Jack and Tiger’s careers? At the very least, it will make for one great story.
Many around Tiger have been quoted as saying that this time away from the game will be good for him.
According to Tiger’s niece Cheyenne Woods, “he’s only going to get better from here.” Many, including the media and PGA Tour, are certainly hoping that Cheyenne is right, although Tiger’s absence may be good for the other professionals on tour.
The bottom line is that viewership stands to struggle as well as sponsorships and tournament purses. The attitude toward Tiger may continue to be negative from many in the golfing community and fan base, but in reality if it weren’t for Tiger, the game of golf would not be as we know it today.