Those who understand golf — and especially play it — know how hard it is to track improvements to their game. Given its counter-intuitive leanings and propensity to dampen relative accuracy with bouts of ill fortune, progress is ultimately assessed by numbers. But while they’re impartial and absolute, they’re likewise devoid of context. Scores that can be considered great in one course may well be treading mediocrity in another.
Still, there can be no discounting the strides Tiger Woods has made since undergoing back surgery for the fourth time in three years last April. He did well at the Hero World Challenge in December, with the inviting Albany confines and friendly atmosphere helping restore his confidence as he worked his way back to shape. His three stops since then, however, can be viewed as more of a mixed bag. He tied for 23rd at the Farmers Insurance Open, his extreme familiarity with the layout offsetting his travails off the tee and lack of consistency on approach. He then missed the cut at the Genesis Open, hitting only 12 of 28 fairways and 16 of 36 greens in regulation.
At the Honda Classic, however, Woods appeared to have found some measure of comfort. He was still wayward with a driver (with his 33-of-56 mark highlighting his struggles), but his iron play was much improved. The misses were still there, but he recovered well enough to go even par for the tournament, good for 12th in a field of 144. He hit just 48 of 72 greens at PGA National, but his proximity to the hole during those times topped the field. All told, he had things he could build on, never mind his decision to tinker with his mechanics sans a swing coach.
Certainly, Woods’ optimism has allowed him to acknowledge what all and sundry have long believed he’s working toward: a fine finish at the Masters next month. “I’m just building toward April,” he disclosed in the aftermath of his sterling Sunday 70. “I’m trying to get myself ready for that, and I feel I’m on the right track.” Which is why he’ll be at the Valspar Championship this week and the Arnold Palmer Invitational next. Not counting events for which he is ineligible to suit up for, they’re the only ones left for him to join, put some reps in, and still retain his preference to arrive at Augusta National fresh.
True, Woods has never played at the Valspar before, and he has negotiated Copperhead only once before. Then again, its undulating terrains and swirling winds should prove beneficial as he aims to round into form for his most favorite stop in the Grand Slam rota. And assuming he makes the cut in both, he will have had 144 holes to build his stamina through.
Will Woods do well at the Masters? Should he even be expected to? These are questions for another time. Meanwhile, it’s enough that he has his eyes firmly on the prize.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.
