Tiger Woods Deserves the Respect of the New Generation: Here's Why

On Monday ESPN reported that Tiger Woods had registered for the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont this June.  On the surface this just seems like another precautionary move that Tiger has taken over the last several months to work his way back into the golf world after battling serious back injuries the past couple years.  So what does that really mean? Well, as all true golf fans can only hope, we should see Tiger back out on TOUR at some point this year.  But as the case has been the last two years, we just don’t know when and how Tiger will return. He keeps us talking, that’s for sure. 

Since the start of 2014 Tiger has taken a back seat to rising stars such as Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.  McIlroy and Spieth both represent the next wave of golf, giving the new generation of fans a couple of superstars to follow, just as Tiger had for those at the turn of the millennium.  I’m sure most of you are aware of Tiger’s mishaps off the course six years ago. While his reputation as an individual was severely tarnished, his on-the-course ability understandably went south...but not for long.  What remained though was a public perception that intertwined Woods’ life on the course and off the course, which simply should not be done in any sport. (To be fair, this piece is written solely within the context of Tiger Woods’ playing career, and I do not condone any of Tiger’s actions years ago.  In fact, I can’t even really call myself a true fan of his.  What I do have though is a deep respect for his ability and contributions to the game of golf.) This new generation only knows Tiger Woods as someone who hasn’t won a major since 2008.  Someone who “sucks.”  Someone who should not be around golf anymore.  The thing with Tiger is, whether you love him or hate him he still commands your attention.

The man deserves your respect.  Here’s why:

1. He was on his own level.

(AP)

In 2015 Jordan Spieth won Player of the Year after a stellar performance, winning two majors (while nearly winning the other two), five events total and a FedEx Cup.  It was a year that for a while no one had really seen or even thought was possible.  Many, including myself, were calling it a “Tiger-esque” year.  Why? Well simply put, it was.  And that alone should speak for just how good Tiger Woods was in his prime.  Oh Jordan won two majors? Try four in a row from 2000-2001, most likely the closest we will ever see to the single year Grand Slam.  In 2000 alone he won nine times. NINE. Three of which were majors. With 14 major victories (2^nd all time) and 79 PGA Tour wins (2^nd all time), Tiger redefined the word dominance in a sport filled with inconsistency and mental struggle.  This is why for years I’ve held the claim that Tiger is the greatest athlete of their sport...of all time.  He wasn’t just good. He was ruthless. He was intimidating.  When the red shirt came out on Sunday, you just knew he was going to win and do something special.

2. He made golf athletic.

(AFP)

To be fair, Gary Player was probably the first golfer to actually incorporate fitness into his career.  But he was not American and so it did not resonate with Americans as well as it should have.  Enter Tiger Woods, putting fitness on the map in the modern world of golf.  There’s a reason why so many guys on tour now look so athletic.  They have Tiger to thank for that, and have shown that a fitness regimen can go a long way in honing muscles used to produce a consistent swing that can lead to lower scores.  No one was working out before Woods came on board and now the out-of-shape ones have become the minority.

3. He revolutionized an industry.

(Nike)

One of my favorite things ever when I’m out on the golf course is hearing 27-handicappers talk about how Nike should get rid of Tiger because “he sucks now.”  Yeah you’re right, Nike really should just get rid of the sole reason they’re in the golf industry.  After all what has he even done?  Oh nothing except to help Nike Golf increase revenue by $380 million over a ten year span.  Nothing except pave the way for future stars like Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie, and Paul Casey (among others) to carry on the Nike legacy.  It's amazing. Besides that, before shit hit the fan, Tiger’s name was on EVERYTHING.  Razor blades, cars, sports drinks, video games, watches, etc.  Tiger proved that even athletes from a non-major sport like golf could still be highly marketed.

4. He transcended golf norms.

If I’m being honest, I don’t know what Tiger’s entire career would have been like if he was white.  While he was one of the most, if not the most, dominant athletes of his era, it was the fact that he did so as a minority that made it truly special.  While golf had seen a few players of different races, it was still predominantly a white sport.  And his talent paired with his race made him the greatest in his prime. 

Tiger also did things with a golf club no one had ever seen before.  Most guys would usually play conservatively but Tiger embodied the aggressive attitude and attempted, often times pulling off, impossible looking shots.  It was absolutely electric to see what he could do and how much of an advantage he had over the rest of the TOUR by not only having the guts to play miraculous shots, but also having the ability to routinely make them look easy. 

213-yard 6 iron from a fairway bunker over water.  Yawn.

5. He still has some game.

(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

While he isn’t the player he was in his prime, nor will he ever be, Tiger has shown us signs of life in recent years.  In 2012 and 2013 he won a combined 8 times, including a Players Championship and two World Golf Championships.  Not to mention shooting a 61 to tie his career low round. I really don’t think this is the end for Tiger and I think he can make a comeback.  It all comes down to getting off to a fast start one week and snowballing it into something bigger.  If he can get on a roll, his mental stamina can pair up with his patented swing to still potentially pull out some more wins.  Tiger does not "suck" when he is healthy, as we saw in 2012 and 2013.  His inabilities have come at the hands of back injuries, something that cannot be taken lightly when it is such a crucial part of the golf swing.  To me he has one or two majors left in him that will most likely come at Augusta and/or maybe a PGA Championship. 

P.S. – Came across this one day.  You could drop 1,000 golf balls in front of me and I wouldn’t be able to hit a shot half as pure as this. Vintage Tiger.