There’s No Fanfare, Excitement or Hope as Tiger Woods Finally Returns to Golf

Unless he bolts at the last second again, Tiger Woods’ return to golf is finally upon us.

Not surprisingly, the ever-elusive Woods will launch his latest of many comebacks at an offshore event, in the Bahamas. And, as befits a man of Tiger’s stature, the field at the Hero World Challenge will be so limited that you almost expect the short list of elite invitees to play in tuxedos.

But there’s no escaping that this tournament will be different from all the others Woods has played in.

For once, he won’t be feared by anyone. That’s the stark reality for the world’s 898th-ranked player as he seeks to compete for the first time in 16 months. He’s like golf’s Rip Van Winkle, and after such a long slumber, it’s getting harder and harder to remember the last time we saw him fist-pump as he walked in a 15-footer.

For this comeback, there’s no sense of anticipation. It’s not like when Tom Brady or Peyton Manning got back in the huddle after a year away or when Michael Jordan rallied for one final try.

Admit it, Tiger fans. You’re praying your guy just manages to dodge crooked numbers and stay out of the 80s. If he can play 72 holes without having to schedule another back surgery, you’ll consider it a win.

Achieving mediocrity will actually be a relief, and it will allow Tiger to invoke his mantra and drone on again about grinding through “the process.”

It’s not at all far-fetched to think another train wreck could be looming for Tiger. He played all four rounds of a tournament only seven times in 2015 and missed the cut three of the last four times he teed it up at a major.

So yes, expectations are low, and chances are high that the game has passed him by. His confidence seems shaky—if not shattered—through all the swing changes. He battled through a case of chipping yips, and it’s fair to wonder whether the layoff will bring them back.

And when last seen on the course, his driver was in need of a learner’s permit, and that’s not good in an age when nearly 50 players are …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com