It is Masters week, and for many, the real start of spring. It's not exactly going out on a limb to pick Tiger Woods to win this tournament, but then again, logic makes sense. A recent study done by an Ivy League school showed that when Tiger Woods is in a tournament, other golfers shoot, on the average, a shot worse than when he is not in a tournament. Proof of the Tiger-intimidation factor that many talk about but few golfers are willing to admit. Tiger knows it, the other golfers know it and Tiger knows the other golfers know it. Tiger said earlier this year that he can win the Grand Slam, all four majors in one calender year. He's already done it over the course of two calender years. His logic is simple. Generally, he wins five or six tournaments in a year, it's just a question of winning the right ones. The key for Woods this week, watch how he drives the golf ball. If there is a slight weakness to his game, it's that he can be a bit inconsistent off the tee. If he is driving the ball well, look out. He knows the greens, he knows where to put the ball on the greens, he knows how to win at Augusta. As we begin the tournament, it appears that the 2008 Masters is Tiger's to win or lose. You never know, it seems the Masters has a way of bringing out the best is many of the players, like Zach Johnson last year. But as said in an earlier post, we could see one of the greatest years by a golfer in history if Tiger continues to play as he has over the first three months of the year.
Even if I'm wrong, I'll enjoy watching the ride. Until next time, get the golf clubs out and hit it straight this spring.