Tiger Woods At The Masters: A Reality Check

You may be tempted to wax all poetical about Tiger Woods’ opening round 68 at the Masters. About how if he is able to conquer Augusta for the fifth time in his career after his self-imposed exile from golf, it would amount to the greatest comeback in the history of our ever-shortening collective sports memory. Don’t.

↵Because as SB Nation’s Ryan Ballengee reminds us, Tiger’s “obstacles” haven’t been nearly as arduous as those of even some other recent athletes:

↵↵Should Woods somehow win a fifth green jacket, it would not even be the greatest sports comeback of the last twelve months. As far as achievement goes, Kim Clijsters has earned that distinction. Coming off of the maternity bench and having been out of the sport of tennis, she went through the US Open field like a hot knife through butter to take the trophy. Getting laid, getting caught, and getting a shrink pales as a comparison. Lance Armstrong would have something to say about undergoing treatment [as well].

↵↵So yes, Tiger’s ability to ignore the the hoopla and heckling in his first round back was impressive. Breathtaking even. But it’s what he’s done his entire career: shut out the outside world and take an axe to golf records. A 50 and 60-year old setting the early pace at the Masters should be more shocking. Don’t forget this.

↵Check out Ballengee’s full piece here. It’s well worth it.