Watching Tiger Woods struggle so much in the last two weeks has been like car-crash TV.
It’s as if he is visibly declining in front of our very eyes. The TV cameras are following him all the time and the galleries on the course are still huge.
We almost can’t believe what is happening to this great champion, and we have to see for ourselves.
The one thing that has really struck me is how nervous Tiger has looked on the course. He is obviously standing on the tee with no idea where the ball is going.
His nerves are making him swing faster and that exacerbates any problem in his swing.
Then he’s got the yips on his chipping and he is not looking like holing any putts.
Throw in his problems with his back, which forced his withdrawal after 11 holes on Thursday, and it’s a fatal combination.
He was at a long par-three at Torrey Pines and playing partners Rickie Fowler and Billy
Horschel had both found the green. Tiger was about 50 yards off to the right. That summed up the state of his game.
He is still talking a good game but it’s starting to sound a little hollow. It’s hard to believe that in 2013, Tiger won five times, was voted Player of the Year and got back to World No.1.
Since then, he has fallen a long way and so much time away from golf is starting to take its toll.
The one thing I find hardest to understand, though, is why a 14-time Major winner is so reliant on coaches.
Tiger is now working on his latest swing changes with Chis Como, but this guy is Tiger’s fourth coach and it feels like paralysis by analysis.
His brain is being bombarded with information and swing thoughts when he needs a clear head stood over the ball.
Jack Nicklaus only ever had one or two lessons a year with Jack Grout, and Arnold Palmer had a bit of help from his dad.
Top players are out on their own on the golf course. They need to work things out for themselves and solve their own
problems.
Apparently, Tiger is hitting the ball well on the practice ground. But it’s OK when your coach is stood right behind you and you can talk through any problems.
There are no hazards on the range, nor is there a card and pencil in your pocket.
I’ve always felt Tiger could still win that 15th Major and get closer to Jack Nicklaus’ record. But I now have major doubts.
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