Curtis Strange says it’s time for the Tiger Woods debate to end

Some respected voices on golf in the United States would have you believe the Tiger Woods era is over.

The former World No 1’s seemingly endless injury problems, compounded by concerns off the course, have conspired to leave him looking a pretty forlorn figure.

The latest example was on Friday at the US PGA at Valhalla, where Woods almost limped his way to a second 74 to miss the cut by five shots.

His hordes of fans are still hoping for a miracle, while the man himself continues to cling to the hope that he will soon recapture former glories, and be in the United States team that travels to Gleneagles next month.

For one former Ryder Cup captain, however, enough is enough. Curtis Strange wants the debate to end and calls on everyone to take a reality check.

He makes no mistake for repeatedly musing: “How could Tiger not struggle, how could he not struggle? I keep saying this over and over again, and I will continue to do so until the message gets through.

“Tiger has been injured. He has had back surgery, and he was not playing well before that procedure. So why would he play well now when he has been denied practising the way he normally practises?

“To play tournament golf at the highest level, everything has to be clicking. You have got to be 100% healthy, and running on all cylinders mentally and physically to win a golf tournament, never mind a Major.

“Of course, everybody would have great expectations of him on his return because he IS Tiger Woods, and he did it with that memorable US Open win back in 2008. But today is a different ball game.”

Listening to the two-time former US Open champion and 2002 Ryder Cup captain, it is not difficult to understand why he has become one of the game’s top analysts in the States with ESPN on TV and radio.

And he makes no apologies for comparing Woods present predicament to Rory McIlroy’s serene progress towards being the game’s new powerhouse.

“It proves how golf is such a fickle and difficult game,” he says. “Yet looking at Rory, he is not forcing anything, and it looks so easy for him.

“He just lets the game come to him every day, and he is not thinking much of anything other than playing golf. And when you are playing well, that’s because you are comfortable on the golf course.

“Now compare that to Tiger. Physically he does not know if the back will hold up, so he is not quite sure how hard he can hit it.

“He does not know how far he can trust it, and mentally he knows he is not playing well. There’s also the fact he’s not been able to practise.

“So Tiger is trying to force the issue and make things happen, while Rory is freewheeling along.

“That’s the great comparison right now. The No 1 player making it look easy while the former No 1 is making it look so difficult. I think everybody can relate to that.”