Sports

Just not the same without a threat from Tiger

Scott Chancey

For a brief — if not miniscule — moment Sunday afternoon, the Augusta National Golf Club patrons felt it.

Their resounding roars could be heard throughout Amen Corner with a ferocity that could literally take you aback.

Loud was not the word. It was a sonic boom — and it could only have meant one thing: Here comes Tiger Woods.

Woods made a late charge to his fifth Masters title after he sank a long birdie at the 11th hole, raising both hands and pumping his fist. His fans had a glimmer of hope he could make a stirring rally along the back nine and overtake leader Trevor Immelman.

For those at a nearby hole, they could not help but notice it was Woods drawing the cheers. You see, there is the burst of applause and maybe a couple of yells for other golfers after a good shot.

And then there is the bedlam that follows Woods.

You hear the loudest cheers when he birdies or eagles; and you hear the loudest groans when he misses.

The latter happened after he fell short on a birdie putt at 13, and bogeyed at 14, drawing those groans and giving eventual Masters champion Trevor Immelman some breathing room.

The crowd got at least one more chance to cheer when Woods birdied the 18th, good enough to finish second at Augusta National.

He finished tied for second in last year’s Masters, and was second at the 2007 U.S. Open.

Losing doesn’t fare well in majors with Woods, nor does it fare well — for the most part — with golf fans.

In light of that fact, here’s my question: Why do people constantly want a final round showdown between Woods and Phil Mickelson?

The obvious answer: Not only are they the world’s top two ranked golfers, they are the two most popular.

Yet, if they are not contending, what is supposed to end with a bang in most majors falters in a whimper.

When Immelman, who double-bogeyed the 16th hole, finished off his first-ever majors victory with a short putt, the applause was dignified — if not tame.

If Woods, who was chasing the single-year Grand Slam, had won Sunday, the crowd’s noise would have been so loud you would think you were at Game 7 of the World Series, bases loaded, full count and two men out.

For someone to say at the beginning of the year that winning the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship in the same year was, “easily within reason,” — as Woods did — his game simply broke down near the hole. He missed way too many easy putts, and those are usually “gimmies.”

A birdie putt went just right at No. 2, another veered to the left at 3, and a par putt at No. 4 lipped out for bogey. Then on the fifth, his birdie putt was so close to the hole, he only had to use one hand to tap it in.

After birdieing the second hole, Woods missed four consecutive relatively short birdie tries. Instead of that play being a deviation from the norm, it was the theme for him at this year’s Masters.

“I didn’t putt well all week,” Woods said afterward. “I kept dragging the blade. I wasn’t releasing it, wasn’t getting the overspin like I normally do. Out here, if you’re not starting the ball perfectly on line, you’re not going to make any putts.”

Still, Woods seemed  agitated from all the hype surrounding his grand-slam chase.

“I learned my lesson there with the press,” Woods said. “I’m not going to say anything. It’s just one of those things when you’re out there playing, you couldn’t care less. You’re trying to win a golf tournament. You’re trying to put yourself in position, which I did. I just didn’t make the putts I needed to make this entire week. I had the speed right, I just didn’t quite get the line right.”

And that leaves Woods at 13 victories at majors. At age 32, he’ll more than likely pass Jack Nicklaus’ mark of 18.

He might win the other three majors this year, and the crowds following him then will experience the thrill of watching what still is today’s best golf player in the world take another step toward history.

On Sunday, however, Woods hardly threatened Immelman.

And unless Woods is leading or making a charge at the lead, any major until he retires will simply just not the same.

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