WELCOME MAT FOR TIGER

Last week, I suggested that the media might turn Tiger Woods’ news conference into a circus. I’m pleased to admit that I was out of order and that Woods was treated fairly and answered all the relevant questions unhesitatingly. As a result, he was welcomed by his peers and fans, not to mention TV comment-ators, all of whom focused on his remarkable ability to produce world class golf after such a long absence from competitive golf. He even shrugged off the spiteful remarks made publicly by Augusta’s “disappointed” chairman Billy Payne, by telling him that he was disappointed too. Although Woods was more competitive than most of us thought under the circumstances, showing signs of brilliance alternating with rustiness, he was clearly having difficulties coming to terms with his promised new persona, losing focus at a critical stage with 3 putts from 5 feet at the 14th., when a birdie would have applied pressure to the eventual champion, Mickelson. Unfortunately, Lee Westwood was unable to cause Mickelson much discomfort, being let down by a relatively poor short game, reluctance to respond to Mickelson’s aggressive play and unable to match his opponent’s good fortune as he escaped unpunished from 3 successive hooked tee shots which finished deep into the trees. On each occasion, he was left with chances to fire at the greens, rather than chip sideways onto the fairways.

However, Westwood had nothing to be ashamed of by finishing second to a man who was able to produce unanswerable golf in his final round of 5-under-par.  If Lee’s consistancy in recent Majors continues, he will surely win at least one – sooner rather than late

Tags: Tiger Woo