Missing the Greatness that was Tiger Woods

​I was never a Tiger fan.  Sure, I admired and respected his immense talent.  But I was never a fan.  Growing up, I was never a Jack fan.  I respected Nicklaus, but I have always tended to root for the underdog, so my golfing idol was (and to this day) Tom Watson.  In other sports, I support the Seattle Mariners in baseball, the Seattle Seahawks in American football and Crystal Palace in Premier League football.  Again, I respect the Yankees, Patriots and Manchester United, but they aren't the underdogs.
 
So, as the Quicken Loans National begins this week, Tiger’s event on the PGA Tour, I must admit that I miss Tiger, in the same way I miss Jack. 
 
Rarely do you get to see an athlete perform at their pinnacle.  One moment in sports history that I find myself watching every year at least once is Secreatriat’s run as a three-year old horse winning the Triple Crown, culminating with his 30 length win at the Belmont Stakes.  Three Triple Crown races, three Triple Crown records (which I believe still stand today).
 
In my opinion, we will never see another period of dominance in golf like Tiger had.  Watson had his run in the late 70’s and early 80’s, but it still doesn't match what Tiger was able to accomplish.  Tiger’s execution and shot making on the golf course was unparalleled.  Some of his performances were like Secretariat winning the Belmont by 30 lengths (US Open and  the Masters).  It seemed he never made a poor decision and in many ways, played very conservative golf (hitting stinger 2 irons while Phil and other were blasting drivers into the corporate tents, settling for more 8-15 foot birdie putts than most make in a lifetime rather than trying to stiff every shot).   Sure, he was very talented…but his mind and thinking on the golf course was the big difference maker and separating factor from the rest of the field.  Nicklaus was the same way.
 
It is probably true that you do not truly appreciate something great until you don't have it any more.  I would love to relive Jack’s seven stroke 1980 PGA Championship win.  I would love to experience Tom’s 1980 Open Championship and 1982 US Open wins again.  Why?  Because they were great performances my great players.  I miss being able to witness and respect the greatest players playing at an elite level and being at the top of the game.
 

---