Tiger's Loss of Stability

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren finalized their divorce this week. Unfortunately for Tiger, this conclusion will not mean success on the Tour. He will remain as lost as he has been for quite a while, probably until he finds someone to guide his path and steer his moral compass correctly. His father was that compass, and Elin took on that role after his passing.

Tiger was the most recognizable athlete during his time as the number one golfer on the planet. He is not the best golfer anymore, regardless of what the PGA computers say. Being the biggest celebrity on the tour did not mean Tiger couldn't lead a private life. Until he drove his car into a tree, Tiger's life remained hidden. No one knew about a sex addiction, or a possible prescription drug problem. He was the greatest golfer in the world, but also a quiet family man, so everyone thought.

His secret actions proved Tiger cared about one thing, winning. He won on the golf course and won in his private life by keeping his secrets hidden. He learned that secrets are hard to keep hidden though, now in the age of technology. Elin learned of Tiger's whorish ways, and Tiger lost his stability. The world then learned who Tiger really was, a dishonest man, with a superiority complex. The only thing that could take Tiger down, was himself.

It is clear that we are not witnessing the same Tiger on the course. Besides the fact he is playing worse than ever before, he is easily exasperated when hitting a bad shot. He seems more easily frazzled with the press. Things will only get worse for Tiger before they get better.

Tiger will not play well if invited to the Ryder Cup and will drop down the golf rankings. (Actually it would benefit Tiger to not be invited to the Cup. He would take it as a smack in the face, IN THE FACE, and would play with the same intensity of fist-pumping, red shirt-Sunday, everyday). Assuming he is invited to the Ryder Cup though, we will continue to see the same above average golfer at each tournament. He may win some, he will win a couple more majors, but Jack Nicklaus can rest easy.

(Side note: I have a friend, we'll call him "Jeffy." He made a bet with his father, we'll call him "The Man." Jeffy bet The Man that Tiger would pass Nicklaus to have won the most Majors ever. He looked to easily make that $10 grand. Now, it looks like Jeffy should start saving his money since Tiger doesn't have a shot at passing Nicklaus. Poor Jeffy.)