{"id":62304,"date":"2018-04-05T07:55:49","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T07:55:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=62304"},"modified":"2018-04-05T07:55:49","modified_gmt":"2018-04-05T07:55:49","slug":"tiger-mania-is-back-and-his-competition-is-eating-it-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/tiger-mania-is-back-and-his-competition-is-eating-it-up.html","title":{"rendered":"Tiger-mania is back and his competition is eating it up"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tiger-mania is back and his competition is eating it up<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tiger-mania, Tiger-palooza, the perfect Tiger storm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Call it what you will, but the force of nature that is Tiger Woods descended on Augusta National at the beginning of the week and hasn\u2019t lost any of its powerful punch.<\/span><\/p>\n

After not playing the past two Masters, Woods walked onto the practice range Monday and was greeted with thunderous applause, which continued throughout all three of his deafening 9-hole practice rounds. Since his arrival, Woods and his aura and his return to the game has been the only narrative grabbing headlines heading into one of the most anticipated Masters in history.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as Tiger walked in everybody stood up and started clapping,\u201d said world No. 3 Jon Rahm, one of the many favorites who have spent this week in the shadows of the Georgia pines and Woods\u2019 shade. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t happen for anybody else. I mean, I think he\u2019s been an idol to all of us, right? If you don\u2019t use Tiger Woods as a reference, it\u2019s pretty silly not to, to be honest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What looked a tad silly was Rahm playing a practice round in front of just a few followers, as most of the other patrons were on the other side of the course trying to catch a glimpse of Woods. The same was true for Justin Rose, defending champion Sergio Garcia and Captain America, Patrick Reed.<\/span><\/p>\n

But they understand. While Woods, a four-time winner of the green jacket, hasn\u2019t won anywhere in the world since 2013, hasn\u2019t won a major since 2008 and a Masters since 2005, his latest comeback has captivated the golf world.<\/span><\/p>\n

A year ago, the story on Woods was not good as he headed into an operating room for spinal fusion surgery. His golf career, let alone his way of life, was in jeopardy. But in a remarkable return \u2013 Woods has called himself a “walking miracle” \u2013 the back pain is gone and his body healthy again.<\/span><\/p>\n

His talents with a golf club in hand have returned, and after playing just four events the previous two years \u2013 including zero starts in the Masters \u2013 he\u2019s among the favorites in 2018 at Augusta National.<\/span><\/p>\n

He is the story, especially coming off his best two finishes since 2015 \u2013 second in the Valspar Championship, fifth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to Tiger and the Tiger-mania that comes with it, everyone wants to see him win and play the way he did before,\u201d Jason Day said. \u201cEveryone\u2019s kind of chomping at the bit for him to kind of get here and see how he’s moving and everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone\u2019s kind of solely focused on Tiger and what he’s going to do here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Which is just fine with Day and other contenders this week. They don\u2019t mind all the cameras heading in Woods\u2019 direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

But while Woods is the story, he isn\u2019t the only story. Rory McIlroy is going for the career Grand Slam. Reigning PGA Tour player of the year Justin Thomas has won twice this season. Masters champion Jordan Spieth found some good form last week in Houston and two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson is back to his winning ways with two victories this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKeep on talking about Tiger Woods,\u201d Watson said. \u201cKeep on interviewing him all the time. Tire him out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson is confident. Garcia is beaming as he returned to this year\u2019s Masters as a married man and a father. Rose, who lost in a playoff last year, is one of the hottest players on the planet. And on and on and on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe guys will still get some attention,\u201d said Rickie Fowler, who is in search of his first major title. \u201cA lot of guys will enjoy not getting maybe as much attention, sliding under the radar, and getting to just take care of business and focus on why we’re all here. To play good golf, to see good golf.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTiger’s earned the attention. He’s been the biggest needle mover in the game, and it’s going to be tough for anyone to come close to that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/golf\/columnist\/steve-dimeglio\/2018\/04\/04\/tiger-woods-mania-back-and-his-competition-loves\/486356002\/<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t