Opinion & Analysis
Tiger Woods completes arguably the greatest comeback story in sports history
Sports have an uncanny way of teaching us about life. And there’s no greater life lesson than the athlete and the man who goes by Tiger Woods.
I first fell in love with golf while watching Tiger play the 1997 Masters with my father. Tiger is the reason that I, like millions of golfers throughout the world, including some of his professional contemporaries today, started playing and loving the game.
For basically his entire life, from the moment he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show at 2-years-old, until his world came infamously crashing down on Thanksgiving 2009, he was “perfect.” He was dominant, impactful, charismatic and invincible — what the world uncovered, however, was that his persona was a carefully crafted facade.
While he continued to play great golf despite injuries and surgeries through 2014, his Superman cape was tarnished, and his respect as a man was all but diminished.
From 2014 until 2017, the world watched Tiger Woods the athlete decay. He’d make minor comebacks after major back surgeries, but the letters “WD” replaced the number “1” next to Tiger’s name on leaderboards for years. And he also developed what was either the chipping yips, or an utter breakdown in his once-superior chipping technique. To all observers, aside from Tiger apologists, it seemed his golf career was likely over.
What was tragic for Tiger the athlete looked as though it’d turn into a tragedy for Tiger the man after his very public DUI in 2017 following his spine fusion surgery earlier that year. Tiger was completely vulnerable, and seemingly, completely broken. He was whatever the opposite is of his former self. Had he faded into oblivion after that, it would have been understandable, if not recommended.
But that’s not what happened. Despite every talking head in sports media saying Tiger was done (not that I didn’t agree at the time), Tiger waited for his back to heal upon doctors orders, then began his comeback to golf. It started with videos on social media of him chipping, then hitting irons, then his patented stinger.
In December of 2017, Tiger finished T9 in the 18-player field at his Hero World Challenge… a respectable finish considering what he had been through. As the season continued, he pieced together 4 consecutive rounds on many occasions, actually giving himself a few chances to win tournaments (the Valspar, Arnold Palmer, Quicken Loans and the Open come to mind). But his late-tournament confidence was clearly shaken; he was struggling to close the deal.
At the 2018 PGA Championship, Tiger had the attention of the entire sporting world when it looked that he had a serious chance to win his 15th major. But ultimately, he finished runner-up to a superior golfer that week in Brooks Koepka. All things considered, the week was a win for Tiger and his confidence… but it wasn’t a win.
The questions changed after the PGA Championship from “Can Tiger win again?” to “When will Tiger win again?”
Well, that question has been answered. Tiger Woods won the 2018 Tour Championship. Is it a major? No, it’s not. Some say the event itself is essentially just a money grab for the best 30 players of the season. But that’s the thing; the tournament hosts the best 30 players of the season all competing for big money. And you can bet it matters to the players on top of the leaderboard.
Tiger’s Tour Championship victory doesn’t mean he’s going to beat Jack’s record. Because he probably won’t. And maybe he won’t even win another major, although he’ll surely be the betting favorite at the 2019 Masters now. But, to me at least, his win marks the completion of the greatest comeback story in all of sports. And not only that, the conclusion to an important life lesson — don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.
No athlete has been written off more than Tiger Woods, especially in the era of social media that gives every critic in the world a microphone. No athlete has reached a higher high, and a relatively lower low than Tiger Woods. He went through it all — a broken marriage, public shaming, legal issues, a deteriorated skill set, surgeries, injuries, and arguably most impactful of all, humanization.
Tiger Woods came back from not just a 28-3 deficit on the scoreboard (Patriots-Falcons reference), and he didn’t score eight points in 9 seconds (Reggie Miller reference, sorry Knicks fans and sorry Dad), and he didn’t get hit by a bus (Ben Hogan), but he got hit hard by the bus of life, and he now stands tall in the winner’s circle.
Maybe that’s why sports teaches us so much about life; because sports is life. Not in the way that nothing else matters except sports, but in the way that sports is played by imperfect humans. When the ball goes in the air, or onto to the tee, or the starting bell rings, nothing is certain and nothing is given. And when things are looking bad, like really really bad, it’s how you respond that truly matters. Isn’t that what life is?
Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: We’re talking about practice! My best tips for taking your game to the course
With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game.
Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills.
While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice.
This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times.
Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy.
One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length. Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine.
It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season.
Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds.
Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time. With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game. Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills. While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice. This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times. Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy. One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length.
Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine. It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season. Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds. Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time.
For Korean golfers, we always look forward to the last of the kkot-saem-chu-I for the true start of a new golf season. The term refers to a cold snap, but literally translates as “winter being jealous of the flowers beginning to bloom, thus lashing out one final time before surrendering to spring”.
A rather poetic mouthful packed into a short expression.
Koreans can be like that. Understated, yet oddly expressive at the same time. And nowhere is this more true on the golf course and in our golf bags. In fact, I suspect many Korean golfers look forward to new apparel and accessory drops more than they do actual equipment launches each year.
At this point, Korean golf fashion may exist on its own timeline. (courtesy of @seonbi_golfer)
There is ample evidence to support that suspicion. Korea is the world’s third-largest golf market behind the United States and Japan, yet its appetite for golf apparel exceeds that of both countries combined. Recent estimates suggest that Korea accounts for nearly 40 percent of the global golf apparel market, placing it among the world’s most influential golf fashion markets and punching well above its size.
Simply, we care deeply about how new golf clubs look and feel, but enjoy looking good while swinging them even more.
Golfers in the West may laugh and say that golf is played on a course, not a fashion runway. Perhaps. But what’s the harm in trying to look and feel good, if the added self-confidence can help actual performance? It certainly seems to have worked for Jason Day, who may have unlocked a new stats category: dormant strokes gained. Coincidence?
During the COVID-era, estimates placed the market near $9 billion, an astonishing figure for a single country.
As a proud member of Gen X, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of golf fashion firsthand. The pleated trousers and wing-tipped shoes of Jack Nicklaus, the stylish plus-fours and knickers of Payne Stewart, the baggy black trousers and fitted mock-necks of Tiger Woods, and the thigh-hugging athletic tailoring of Rory McIlroy. Golf fashion, like the golf swing itself, has rarely stood still.
But nowhere have those trends shifted, evolved, and been scrutinized quite as relentlessly as in Korea. Here, golf fashion moves faster than fairway gossip, and consumers dissect brands with a level of discernment that can be both impressive and mildly terrifying. New brands are studied, judged, embraced, or dismissed with startling efficiency.
The result is a consumer base with one of the sharpest eyes for quality and authenticity anywhere in the world. It is difficult to quantify, but easy to recognize. Clean lines without trying too hard. Luxury mixed with utility. Trend awareness balanced by restraint and purpose.
It’s golf fashion shaped by one of the world’s most style-literate cities, something I like to call Seoul Sensibilities, referring to the taste level forged by a uniquely competitive environment.
And increasingly, global brands have noticed.
Many golf brands in Korea have their own flagship shops dedicated to apparel only
Titleist understood this years ago, when its apparel business in Korea took on a life of its own under new ownership and local direction. What had once been a straightforward extension of an iconic equipment giant became something sharper and more premium. By going all in on the serious Tour-player look (I couldn’t even fit into their XL sizes), Titleist struck the right chord with Korean consumers and helped its fledgling apparel business break into the mainstream. Titleist became a household name even for non-golfers who wore its caps, shirts, and windbreakers in daily life. In many ways, it proved that even heritage golf brands could carry real fashion credibility when viewed through a Korean lens.
Several years later, PXG took a page out of Titleist’s playbook and followed suit. Korean consumers helped transform the brand from one known largely for irons and loud commercials into something broader and more stylish. PXG apparel’s growth in Korea was explosive, where it found an early audience and turned the category into something more than mere logo merchandise. It is still hard to walk anywhere in Seoul without seeing its palindrome logo.
Malbon’s meteoric rise in the United States was genuine, but its ascent into a global golf lifestyle brand owes much to Korea, where it was elevated by a market already fluent in modern golf style. Korea did not simply embrace Malbon. It pressure-tested the concept, refined its appeal, and helped push it into the global spotlight.
As such, new brands may arrive from abroad, but more often than not, their sharpest evolution happens here. If a brand can earn credibility in Seoul, it’s deemed to have passed one of the toughest style audits in the game.
That is why the next meaningful chapter may not come from outside, but from a Korean brand moving in the opposite direction, carrying those Seoul Sensibilities outward as K-pop once did.
Play young Stay dope.
From Seoul, With Intent
Khalhon is a label that feels less like a trend-chasing newcomer and more like the product of a market that has already seen everything. Golfers here have long been surrounded by luxury logos, technical fabrics, and tour uniforms disguised as lifestyle wear and vice-versa. In other words, novelty alone rarely lasts here, and the Koreans seems to understand that instinctively.
Its style language leans into clean silhouettes, relaxed but tailored proportions, muted palettes, and premium materials that speak quietly but confidently. There is a modern city aesthetic running through it all, with strong layering pieces, thoughtful textures, and subtle branding that suggests sophistication rather than demanding attention.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
Most importantly, the garments seem designed to blur the line between golfwear and everyday style. Shirts, trousers, knitwear, and outer layers move comfortably between a game of screen golf, a lunch reservation, an airport gate, or an afternoon coffee in Gangnam with friends.
It raises the question of whether this is golfwear that happens to look good off the course, or everyday clothing that performs beautifully on the fairways.
Personally, I have long appreciated Nike Golf for its clean, athletic modernization of golf attire. It also has the useful side effect of making me look like a more serious golfer than I probably am. But off the course, there are times when being instantly identified as the golf guy in a crowd of non-golfers can feel a touch self-conscious.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
That is part of what drew me to Khalhon, which seemed to blend golf and everyday wear naturally. While some of the outfits may be slightly beyond my personal confidence level, the brand also offers tasteful options for older guys like me who still want to express a little personality without regretting the decision later.
These are not simply flashy outfits worn on the course and then banished to the closet until the next tee time. They work surprisingly well off the course too, and I suspect many of the pieces will still look right a couple of years from now, which would certainly be kinder to my wallet than most golf fashion trends tend to be.
And perhaps that broader lifestyle positioning also helps explain why someone like Sean Wotherspoon would find Khalhon creatively interesting in the first place.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
“Korea is not only one of the most fashion-forward golf markets in the world, but one of the most fashion-forward markets globally. Korea is ahead, and I love to watch and try to catch up.” – Sean Wotherspoon, Creative Director at Khalhon
Seoul and Beyond
If Khalhon’s rise says something about where Korean golf fashion is today, its relationship with Sean Wotherspoon says even more about where it is heading.
For readers less familiar with Sean Wotherspoon, his arrival at Khalhon is not some routine celebrity endorsement or influencer collaboration. In design and streetwear circles, Wotherspoon is regarded as one of the more influential creative voices of his generation, particularly when it comes to blending nostalgia, storytelling, and contemporary culture into products that people can connect with.
He first gained widespread attention through his now-famous Nike sneaker collaborations, where his vintage-inspired designs and instinct for color helped turn him into one of the defining artists of the late-2010s sneaker era. His work gradually expanded beyond footwear into apparel, automotive collaborations, collectibles, and broader lifestyle design.
Modern golf style now extends well beyond the fairways, where performance and functionality are largely expected by default. And while plenty of brands already make technically competent golfwear, Khalhon seems more focused on designing clothes people would genuinely want to wear even after the round ends.
And when guys at Wotherspoon’s level show genuine interest in working with a Korean golf brand as its new Creative Director, fashion circles tend to sit up and pay attention. There’s already a huge buzz among the fashion-conscious here about upcoming collabs with iconic sports stars and brands.
“My creative direction for Khalhon is disruptive, colorful, nostalgic, and modern. My goal is to blend these avenues seamlessly within each collection.” – Sean Wotherspoon
In chatting with Sean, what stood out most to me was how genuinely energized he sounded about the project itself. Despite having already worked across and countless other creative spaces, he described golf as a completely fresh category for him, saying that Khalhon “will be an amazing vehicle for my design work.”
At the same time, his enthusiasm seemed tied just as much to Korea itself. He spoke openly about admiring Korea’s fashion culture while repeatedly insisting he is still a terrible golfer.
There was something oddly refreshing about that humility. Rather than sounding like a celebrity parachuting into golf simply because the category suddenly became fashionable, Sean sounded genuinely curious about what Korea might do with the category next.
And perhaps that is what makes Khalhon feel interesting right now. The brand feels less like a trend-chaser and more like the natural result of a market now confident enough to export its own point of view.
For years, global brands came to Korea to sharpen their image against one of the most discerning audiences anywhere. Now, a Korean label appears ready to send those Seoul Sensibilities outward instead.
Which brings us back to kkot-saem-chu-i.
That final cold snap before spring always arrives with a reminder that seasons are changing, whether we notice it immediately or not. Golf fashion feels a little like that right now as well, as the old boundaries between sport, streetwear, luxury, and everyday style continue to soften.
And somewhere in Seoul, a Korean golf label already seems prepared for whatever season comes next. I just hope they have everything in my size.
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Ayahuasca Retreat
Oct 28, 2018 at 11:19 am
Allow you to ultimately welcome the feeling.
H?ng Phát Blue Star
Oct 23, 2018 at 1:39 pm
The content is great
Ell
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:22 pm
The greatest comeback ever was Ben Hogan. Woods was not hit by a bus but by a 9 iron. Hogan also won 3 majors in one calendar year after coming back from a life threatening accident.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 12:58 pm
1000% right about Ben Hogan… no one comes close to him in regard to comebacks…. no one.
But liberal pc writers have to obey their agenda.
GetRichOrTyTryon
Sep 27, 2018 at 10:48 pm
Regardless of your thoughts on Tiger as a man or golfer, it’s good for the game. I knew he wasn’t done done but I guessed a win next year. It is pretty damn amazing as everyone knows this is the hardest game in the world to consistently dominate.
William Elliott
Sep 27, 2018 at 8:22 pm
No. It was Ben Hogan.
Pete
Sep 25, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Arguably the greatest comeback story in sports history? I disagree. “And there’s no greater life lesson than the athlete and the man who goes by Tiger Woods.” No, not too sure about that one either.
David Duke
Sep 25, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Your guy’s hoods are showing LOL!!!
So much hate, Everyone knows DJ loves the ladies and the bugger sugar…but they still love him. Hes in trouble right now for that exact behavior, and if you believe he slipped down the stairs at the masters your a bigger fool. He may have fallen…….but it was off the wagon. PGA tour doesn’t like bad looks.
stephenf
Oct 10, 2018 at 12:59 pm
What are you even talking about?
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Duke, if anyone’s wearing a hood, it’s you. YOu’re pathetic with such comments.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Duke, look who’s talking about wearing a hood !!!!! Typical of your kind, you try to deflect the discussion from someone who you can’t legitimately defend to someone else, and then attack him.
Scheiss
Sep 25, 2018 at 2:41 am
No number of wins is going to top the 120 or so women he poked.
Every f-up he did, he did to himself, he poked them women, went behind his wife’s back, admitted so, crashed his suv into the hydrant, hurt his back from poking said women, then his knee when it got jammed under the steering wheel.
This is not a comeback at all. Everybody who ever had comebacks had something bad happen to them that they did not do to themselves.
Everything Eldrick is by his own design. His wins are impressive, I agree, but we all know some of them are also due to PEDs.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Scheiss, I concur on all counts.
Ramm
Sep 25, 2018 at 2:36 am
You should all go to https://www.talkspace.com
and take Eldrick with you, he certainly seems still, to need somebody to really talk to.
Mad-Mex
Sep 24, 2018 at 8:46 pm
Rooting for someone ONLY because of the color of their skin is AS RACIST
as rooting AGAINST someone only because of the color of their skin.
Smeagol
Sep 25, 2018 at 11:21 am
Nah. They’re just supportive 🙂
Brent
Sep 30, 2018 at 7:56 am
Being supportive of someone can never be put on the same level as being hateful toward someone. Regardless of the intentions. Insane statement.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:05 pm
WRONG ! ! ! !
Racism is racism… period.
Ell
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Not one commenter made a racist remark about Woods. You must be a demoncrat because they also throw up the racist card everytime someone makes a remark about a black person.
stephenf
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:02 am
Actually the OP made exactly the opposite point.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Ell, once again you’re perfectly right… that commentor is undoubtedly a pc liberal democrat; his words give him away.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:04 pm
You’re absolutely right, Mad-Mex, but the true racists are going to tell you you’re wrong. Pay no attention to them; they’re worthless.
Art Williams
Sep 24, 2018 at 7:51 pm
This is what turns fans off about sports reporting these days especially when it comes to Tiger. What about Hogan getting almost killed and then coming back to win majors? I’m sure the author of this BS didn’t even do any research before he or she wrote about this being the best in BEST in sports, not just golf but all of sports. WOW! This is not on Tiger at all. What he has accomplished is super but let’s not get carried away. How old is this person who wrote this? Everything anymore has to be the best, the greatest, etc. etc. STOP ALREADY!
Jon
Sep 24, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Sad how quickly people forget about Ben Hogans comeback
Jim K
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:12 pm
Yeah, 68 years is really quick.
Ralph Bowe
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:40 pm
You sure showed your ignorance of golf history.
Rock
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:48 pm
When Tiger first hit the golf scene I said he had African athleticism and Asian brains… I was wrong… he doesn’t have Asian brains…
Jim K
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:13 pm
And you obviously chose your nickname based on your brains.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Ah, Jim K, a defender of EVERY black person in the world… well done. The pc liberals of the world will give you an award for that. How about you defend the people who deserve it, but not everyone? Or is that racist to you?
RB
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:49 pm
PS – I just clicked “unsubscribe “ on your emails.
RAlph
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:49 pm
PS – I just clicked “unsubscribe “ on your emails.
Ralph's missing brain
Sep 25, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Do you have any clue what the term “arguably” means?
stephenf
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:37 am
Yup. Do you?
It means you can raise a _credible_ argument. There is no credible argument for Woods being the best comeback story in sports history. Not even in golf history. Probably not even in the top three in golf history.
Bob Jones
Sep 24, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Stop slobbering over Tiger Woods like a 10-year old. This whole premise should be embarrassing for an adult to even think about.
Mike W
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Have to agree with a number of the commenters here. People tend to pay too much attention to what’s happening right in front of them right NOW and they forget the past. Tiger’s comeback story isn’t even the best one in golf. Of course, Ben Hogan wins that prize. Back from a near-death experience going head-on with an out-of-control bus and nearly dying, being told he’d never walk again, for goodness sakes, much less play again at an elite level, to winning three majors in a single season. That’s ridiculous, That’s a comeback story.
And what of Harry Vardon? Given up for absolute dead with tuberculosis back in the day when it was for most a death sentence, left to fade away in a sanitarium, told he’d never play again, probably not even live, at best as an invalid–he eventually made it out and won The Open twice more to set the all-time record of six. That has to be the #2 comeback story.
With all due respect (and with full acknowledgment that even if Tiger is not the GOAT, he’s right there with Nicklaus and at least arguably greater), even if Tiger wins a major or two or three over the next few years, he’ll rank 3rd behind those two comeback stories.
DPG
Sep 24, 2018 at 10:06 pm
I agree with 90% of your post but you lost me at “even if Tiger wins a major or two or three over the next few years, he’ll rank 3rd behind those two comeback stories.” Everyone is talking about comebacks from physical trauma, which in all cases, are amazing. But imagine the emotional and psychological trauma Tiger had to overcome. Now granted, most of that was of his own doing, no question. But nonetheless… an ugly divorce, he lost golf, he lost respect, the yips, the DUI, the ridiculously absurd microscope he lives under in EVERY aspect of his life, etc. Those other 2 guys have never experienced that microscope. Not sure anyone, even today, lives under that same scrutiny. No one is dissected like TW. He *might* still be third after winning majors (because he will) but it’s makes for a more compelling argument. In the end though, I don’t see the point in all this “greatest comeback” talk. Each one has it’s own very unique circumstances and all are VERY impressive. They are tough to compare. Why does one have to be better than the other?
Ell
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Those other two guys (Hogan and Vardon) did not cause their problems, Woods did. From the cheating on his wife, to the DUI that was all his doing.
Scooter
Oct 4, 2018 at 1:20 pm
Please stop making excuses for Tiger Woods. Also, please read the story of Ben Hogan’s early life if you want to compare psychological trauma with anybody else’s.
Uncle Wiggly
Oct 4, 2018 at 2:54 am
Great share here – thanks for posting.
Mark
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:21 pm
While not a big Tiger fan, I was rooting for him to win and I hope he gets all aspects of his life in order. Considering his health not that long ago, quite an achievement to win as he did. On the other hand, as stated by many in other posts, Hogan’s comeback was in my humble opinion the greatest in sports history. Doctors thought he may not walk again, let alone play golf. His multiple achievements after all his injuries was amazing. He needed to take extremely hot baths during tournaments to help circulation in his legs, and then wrapping his legs in order to get around the golf course. His one eye was damaged and he often had trouble focusing while putting. And, he never complained or made excuses – he just played the game and found a way to win. Truly an inspiration to everyone.
Matt
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Great comeback, he’s been grinding towards it over a year now. Hoping the new GF and years of humbling, bad PR have helped him become a nicer guy too.
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:03 pm
… he’s got a new squeeze? another model?
TigerFan91
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Not a model..no.
She used to run Tiger’s restaurant in Jupiter
Rock
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:43 pm
So he’s hitting on his employees now?!!!
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Tiger’s post-game demeanor was interesting. Humble but questioning his future ability to win again. This may well be Tiger’s last ever win on the regular Tour; his swan song. He almost sounded nihilistic. He’s really aging fast.
Dale Winstead
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Article good; title bad. As many others have pointed out, Hogan’s comeback (in golf) is greater than Tiger’s by a wide margin. But, hey, 2nd place in this category is great, and I loved watching it!
matt_bear
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:59 pm
The whole thing can be summed up the gallery following him up the 18th fairway.
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:53 pm
… and most of the audience was white white white… with a sprinkle of pepper… 😮
Terry
Sep 25, 2018 at 7:58 am
Why does that matter
andrew charles sturton
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:50 pm
So this journo did not believe in Tiger.. He was wrong…. But what the hell.. Now he says he will not beat JN record.. Who should we believe
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Believe reality. Woods is finished winning majors, and will never approach Jack. Count on it.
Wally
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:42 pm
Greatest comeback in sports history…”come-on-man”.
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Some would say the GOAT comeback was Cassius Clay to Muhammed Ali … anybody remember that??!!!
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:05 pm
GOAT comeback is Clay/Ali… n’est-ce pas?!!
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:44 pm
Delayed comment posting at WRX…!!!
Adamj
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:37 pm
I think what Tiger (and Rose) have shown this year is that the current crop of stars aren’t as good as advertised. One or the other will get hot or find a perfectly-suited course (Reed at Augusta), but they really aren’t all-time greats.
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:57 pm
… but the cream will always rise to the top over the season. Few surprises.
GHN
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Tiger’s comeback is truly impressive! Since we seem to be talking comebacks another great comeback that no one has mentioned is that of Harry Vardon. First he won the Open Championship while nearly dead from TB and then he did come back after a year or so of recovery to win it a couple of more times with a right hand that twitched during his putting stroke as a result of the bout with TB. Most people in his condition at that time did not survive so his was an all time great comeback imho.
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Vardon played a different game… hickory shafts, gutta percha balls and stymies on the greens… very different.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:22 pm
So that negates the magnitude of his comeback???????
Yawning
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Really ? Another example of overdramatization from a motormouth golf journalist I say….just like Rich Lerner, Steve Sands and Mike Torico.
Ever hear of Ben Hogan, Ernest Jones or for that matter Jarrod Lyle or Erik Compton to name a few ? No, not sensational enough.
BTW, before you start crying in awe, did anybody notice that the leaders like Rose and McIlroy and even Woods all fell apart and shot over par on Sunday while Horshel at al showed that the course was gettable with their 65s?
bill
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:35 pm
yeah courses are always gettable sunday morning playing from 7 behind. Get a clue you trash bag
Michael W
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:56 pm
Trashbag? Really? Look, he may have been a bit snarky, but his underlying point is valid. The article is absurdly sensational, ridiculous to call one win, a fine tournament but not even a major, arguably the greatest comeback ever when Vardon and Hogan are in the mix. heck, Lee Trevino came back from being nearly killed by lightning and with serious spinal problems to win multiple majors. Tiger will probably not even make the top 3 greatest golf comebacks, let alone the greatest ever sports comeback, compared with those. Get a grip, Bill, please, you sound a little unhinged.
Yawning
Sep 24, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Bad form Billy poddymouth. Stick to the facts. Add Matsuyama and Fowler @ -5 each, in fact all of the top ten finishers shot under par on Sunday except Rose, McIlroy and Woods (+7). The course was getable but not by the 3rd round leaders. They fell down and Woods backed into it…..hardly the greatest comeback in all sport.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:27 pm
I bet your bedroom ceiling is plastered with tiger posters for whatever reasons you have….
Dave r
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:45 am
Lots of egg running down my face today,I’ll admit I was not the first to say he would never win again . I was wrong good for him . But will still say a lot of mystery still revolves around this man and the tour.
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:51 pm
You might be correct now saying this is his last win… based on how his game was deteriorating in the last 3 holes. Next stop is the Senior’s Tour.
DWS
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Shawn, really? Dude, stop the hate.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:31 pm
dws, WHAT HATE are you talking about? If there’s ANY hate in the discussion, it’s all from you. I bet you voted for 0bozzo and Hitlery, too.
Scratch
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:43 am
Respect your opinion but disagree 100% with conclusion. I truly respect and appreciate Tiger as one if the best ever at Golf. Having seen all of his Masters wins and several other big events in career love I’ve aporeciated his greatness. This being said it’s Not even a close second to several other sports comebacks , for now I will stick to Golf. Ben Hogan near death accident coming back a year later to have the greatest season in Golf is number 1 by a mile. Won every major he could play in ( travel by boat didn’t given him time to get back to PGA from the Open) won 5 tournaments out of 6?played, second in the other. Saved his wife’s life prior to seat belts and air bags along with metal dashboards let alone a head on collision with bus that was driving on wrong side of the road. Soaked his legs in bathtubs and wrapped them every night to be able to play. No pain meds. Medicine in dark ages compared to today Hogan’s 1953 comeback is the greatest in sports , Ali a close second. And If you consider ethics, morals and values it’s separates the conclusion even further. One totally his fault one not. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts .
Old F*rt
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:43 am
Just in Golf Hogan dwarfs Woods’ comeback. Within a year, almost dead at least twice, both legs, collarbone, pelvis (on and on) vs. marital, drug and and psychological problems Hogan wins the USGA Open, goes on to win 6 Major Golf Tournaments. Woods has won one limited field event, 2nd in one PGA after 10 years, mostly of his own doing and very bad medical advice. Let’s revisit it in a while.
Kudos to Woods for what he did, but greatest ever, too early to tell and probably never to be. Such short memories in the Twitter age.
Fille
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:22 am
You mean after all the women including his wife that he laid waste to, by how own fault and design, you call this a comeback? Sickos
#metoo
steve
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:31 pm
laid waste to? as in divorced giving up $100 million? take that #metoo nonsense and firmly implant it where the sun does not shine. thanks.
LetItGoElsa
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:46 pm
The guy had consensual sex with women, got divorced because of it and has moved on. Perhaps it’s time you did to? It’s not healthy to spend so much time and effort tearing others down.
Mv
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Fille is just another nobody that doesn’t mean anything behind an unknown keyboard somewhere trying to voice his or her hate.
Homme
Sep 25, 2018 at 11:23 am
Don’t worry Fille, these guys have never had done it with women, they like little boys
Jamie
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:06 am
The Tiger bandwagon has something to live for again. Congratulations. You’ve been given a another chance to fix your historical illiteracy and intellectual dishonesty.
shawn
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:46 pm
Tiger is an icon and role model for all young aspiring golfers… money.. models.. misery…
has
Sep 24, 2018 at 9:05 am
betting favorite at masters? maybe, but only if spieth doesn’t get back on track.
Brian McGranahan
Sep 24, 2018 at 8:48 am
Greg Lemond got shot in the heart and almost died and came back to win the TDF two more times.
Tiger Woods had back surgery. Just LOL at this title.
gunmetal
Sep 24, 2018 at 10:49 am
Ben Hogan – got hit by a bus, then a year later won the US open and 5 majors after that.
Monica Seles – got stabbed in the back during a match went on to with the Australian Open (major)
Mario Lemieux – missed a season due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma – then lead NHL in scoring back to back years.
Countless other examples…
Tigers win was INCREDIBLE and even somewhat emotional. We’ve all been hoping and waiting for it. But to call it possibly the greatest comeback in sports history is a pretty big stretch, IMO.
Paul
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:40 am
Thanks for writing this so I wouldn’t have to. Real time saver. Only thing to add is that comebacks take different forms: injury, illness, age, performance decline….maybe throw Muhammad Ali into the mix for being banned at the peak of his skills, or perhaps a sentimental nod to Tom Watson almost winning the Open Championship at age 58 (?).
Tiger’s win was great, no question. The greatest????? Please.
Richard Kennedy
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:36 pm
AMEN!!!
HATERS
Sep 24, 2018 at 8:37 am
You Tiger haters are a joke, you guys are really digging. “The PGA set the course up in his favor”, you are a clown and your commenting privileges should be revoked! I guess its Tiger and the PGA tours fault that 29 of the top 30 players in the game had trouble playing a hard course (that was evidently set up for Tiger) you guys are a joke. Its hard to take you guys seriously. Tigers back, and so are the best haters in sports lol. Losers!
Jamie
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:12 am
What would a Tiger story be without 10 self-righteous SJWs playing the hate card?
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:36 pm
What you wrote, Jamie, couldn’t have been said better.
JH Holliday
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:39 pm
@Haters, the only one I see doing any hating here is YOU. You had to have voted for Hitlery… WHY do you feel that any comment that doesn’t praise woods to an extreme is hate???? I know why… you’re a pc liberal, that’s why.
Matthew
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:51 am
Love the Tiger comeback. I got a little bored when he won so many so quick in his younger days but it really has become a great story. Especially now Jack’s record has become an against the odds situation.
As far as Justin Rose’s story, many probably forget he missed his first 21 cuts in a row as a professional. Would be interesting to know what percentage of young pros pack it in earlier than that. Great story of self belief and perseverance. Perhaps also support and encouragement from those around him.
Scheiss
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:56 am
Not arguably but definitely one of the biggest caaacks in sports or any history.
Look at the way he talked to his own caddy at the end, grabbing his head and yelling at him like “I told you so” or summin stupid like.
Joe, you’re too good a human to take sociopath Eldrick’s sordid behaviour. I respect you.
YouDaManTiger
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:23 am
Ben Hogan, the guy who won the 1950 US Open after literally getting hit by a Greyhound bus, says hi.
Richard Douglas
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:20 am
This was an amazing comeback. Never a Tiger fan, per se, but I’ve always admired his accomplishments.
Don’t listen to anyone harping about it being a small field. Tiger had to weigh through dozens and dozens of competitors just to get into this thing, then he had to win it against most of the best golfers in the world.
One complaint: how does a “playoff” go to a guy that didn’t win any of the “playoff” events? Rose is terrific, but how is he the Fedex Cup winner? If you honor winning then either Woods or DeChembeau should have won the Fedex Cup. Justin Rose is a terrific player and is the current number 1. But how does he “win” by not winning?
Scott
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:37 pm
not even number one now. Rose lost that too.
Terry
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:06 am
Great comeback win by Tiger but the PGA set up the course in his favor. He had a 3 shot lead going in and the set up was such that no one would be able to shoot low enough to catch him. With that set up he only had to be concerned with Rose and Rory. Tiger said himself that he knew if he shot anything under par, he would win, because of the difficult set up.
Richard Douglas
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:23 am
Nonsense. He was just 3 strokes up going into the final round. There were many competitors who were in reach. Yes, the course was difficult, but it’s hard to imagine–and you don’t say–how it favored Tiger.
traviss
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:57 am
I just bought one last week. Great club. Tried it for 18 holes. I like the way it feels and sounds, but I am thinking to have it re-shafted though. But I am a bit too picky, so have a go at it.
andrew charles sturton
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:52 pm
So this journo did not believe in Tiger.. He was wrong…. But what the hell.. Now he says he will not beat JN record.. Who should we believe
OyVey
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Man…the official Guys that Hate Tiger group is out in full force today.
I’ve always wondered whether there’s a huge cross-section of people who hate Tiger Woods and people who support Donald Trump. Same excuse=making behavior, same blind devotion to their view of the facts, and same racist undertones.
Fed Up
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:50 pm
Racist undertones? Please. Good lord you SJWs are tiresome lot. It’s like the sixth sense kid…”i see racists everywhere”
Mv
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:55 pm
You’re living under a rock then. When Tiger first broke onto the golf scene I remember hearing racist comments in the bar at my course. There were a lot of people rooting against him because of his skin color then and there still are today.
No matter what her does, they’ll find a way to turn it into a negative.
Oh please
Sep 25, 2018 at 6:53 pm
And I’ve heard ten cracks abut the evils of old white men this week alone. Yes there are idiots out there, and always have been. But to imply that if one questions that this is the “greatest comeback of all time” they must be racist is offensive, divisive, and misanthropic. And yes, that’s exactly what that comment implied.
stephenf
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:17 am
If you find somebody here who’s making a “racist” argument, call him out. But if people don’t agree that Woods is the GOAT or that his comeback is best ever, obviously that’s “racist” per se only to the truly dimwitted.
ogo
Sep 23, 2018 at 11:36 pm
p.s. … Justin Rose win FedEx Cup and $10 Million…. but not a peep on GWRX… hmmmm
BB
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:43 am
Tiger is arugably the most important athlete to any sport in history. Nobody has every brought people to their respective sport like tiger has to golf. Congrats to Rose, but nobody gives a crap that he won the cup.
Bob Jones
Sep 24, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Ever head of Babe Ruth?
Richard Douglas
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:31 am
Yeah. He “wins” the Fedex Cup without actually winning any of the tournaments in the so-called “playoff.”
He’s a great guy and a great player. But how he “wins” the Fedex Cup over Tiger, Bryson, and Keegan–each of whom actually won something–is just amazing. And how does it not go to Bryson? The guy won 2 of the 4 events!
Only in golf do we avoid losing, to the point that we give the playoff trophy to someone who didn’t actually win anything.
It would be as if the NBA championship was awarded to the team that did the best overall in the playoffs, instead of the team that came out on top. It’s stupid, and the new changes won’t fix it.
Scheiss
Sep 24, 2018 at 2:01 am
You actually have a massive point there, Ogo, for once lol
You notice that the course they chose, this place in Atlanta, has mostly straight to a left-right shot. You know they consulted Eldrick on what course he would be willing to play at the end of the season, and of course, he chose a place where he doesn’t have to hit a draw all day, but only a couple times. Most of the shots, even though some of the holes look dog-leg left, he can still pipe his cut and get away with.
They should move the final event to some place that requires a tight draw all day through tight gaps through the trees and where the rough is 3 inches deep kikuyu, to truly test the driving accuracy of the players, so that they cannot just gouge it out and move it forward, they should have to play it sideways. And where are the out-of-bounds areas on this course? There are none. Not within driving reach anyway.
Bias towards Eldrick again.
TWFan
Sep 24, 2018 at 12:41 pm
This comment is ridiculous if you seriously think the Tour conspired with Tiger to play this event at East Lake. Did they conspire with him last year when they played there (oh, by the way, he didn’t play in it last yr)? They probably consulted with him to play there next year too right?
And I guess he’s the only person that plays a fade too? He can hit draws just fine with irons or woods. There might not have been a lot of out of bounds in driving reach but Rory found some lateral hazard within driving reach….oh yeah, he plays a draw too which you so desperately want players to constantly hit except that he forgot to hit it on that shot. And where would you like to find this non-existent course where you play a tight draw thru tight gaps in trees all day?
The course and event has been set for a while now so your conspiracy theories have more holes than swiss cheese. They must have that in Trollville where you live. Congrats though, you win the award for one of the dumber things I’ve read in a while.
Travis
Sep 24, 2018 at 10:29 am
In next year’s format, Tiger would have won the FedEx cup. I’m not saying next year’s format is necessarily better or worse than what we have now, but when a guy “wins” the FedEx Cup by placing 2nd a couple of times and 5th in the playoff events, it’s not all that exciting. Especially with how bad he played the final round.
ogo
Sep 23, 2018 at 11:16 pm
It was a easy golf course for pros as stated by the tv golf announcers. Did the other golfers lay back to bring back Tiger and the viewing audience? Hmmmmm… 😮
Richard Douglas
Sep 24, 2018 at 1:25 am
Right. There were literally millions of dollars in play, but Tiger’s fellow competitors laid down so he could win? Really?
Jon
Sep 24, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Normal Sunday pins you clown
DWS
Sep 24, 2018 at 11:36 pm
OGO, you do realize that these electrons never go away, right? Probably better that you don’t memorialize your cognitive impairment in such a permanent fashion. Its just golf, enjoy the entertainment that it is. Drop some of that negative energy, and I am sure that you will have a better outlook much better Tuesday.
Stump
Sep 23, 2018 at 10:01 pm
So, if I don’t agree this was the greatest comeback in sports then I am a hater? I did not give him a chance to even play again with the seriousness of the back injury and then with the fusion…truly amazing he could even swing a club again let alone win.
Only time will tell if this is the greatest comeback in golf.
As for greatest comeback ever, my vote goes to Peyton Manning and his neck injury. Not only did he come back from the neck problem where he lost feeling in his hands, he got dropped by his team, went to another and won a Super Bowl.
DrRob1963
Sep 23, 2018 at 10:56 pm
No, you’re not a hater. And you don’t have to rank comebacks against each other, from one to ten either. Tiger’s comeback is fantastic, and so was Hogan’s. You can just say “Well done Tiger – that is a fantastic comeback after all your problems” and leave it there. I am.
Mad-Mex
Sep 23, 2018 at 11:45 pm
DrRob1963,,,,,, Stump can rank comebacks as much as he wants,from 1-100 or 1-10, he dosen’t have to say “well done Tiger- that is a fantastic comeback” and he dosent have to leave it at that, he can take it anywhere he wants.
DrRob1963
Sep 24, 2018 at 5:05 am
And I am very happy for people to play, or not to play, the rating game. With such different circumstances especially with different sports, I feel it is impossible to come to a definitive answer – different people will have different opinions, and come to different conclusions. Ben Hogan vs Tiger vs Peyton Manning vs Gordie Howe vs Muhammad Ali vs ….. Some people want to rank them, but I think its impossible to come to a clear, unchallengible answer. Better to step back, admire each one and just say “Wow! Well done to each of you!”
Michael W
Sep 24, 2018 at 4:01 pm
OK then, if it’s impossible to reach a conclusion, then I nominate myself for greatest comeback. I took 25 years off from golf, used to be a mid-70s golfer. Took game back up recently and at first couldn’t have hit the water if I’d teed it up on the beach–and finally, after a few grueling months of playing casual golf with friends, I shot 37 for 9 holes a couple weeks ago. That’s the greatest comeback ever! Well done to me–everyone gets a trophy, right? Please, dude, some things are greater and more extraordinary than others. It’s JUST SO.
DrRob1963
Sep 25, 2018 at 5:14 am
Wow! Well done. I am pleased for you to have reached a personal goal. You are a legend in your own mind. However, I personally see Ben’s and Tiger’s golf comebacks as more significant on the world sports stage. I find them difficult to compare directly as I admire both of their comebacks, let alone trying to judge them against great comebacks in other sports.
Mike W
Sep 25, 2018 at 10:26 pm
DrRob – I was mocking my accomplishment. I don’t think it’s noteworthy at all. I was pointing out to you that yes, you can rank accomplishments.
DrRob1963
Sep 26, 2018 at 12:22 am
Sure, but to many, personal bests are important. Mine are important to me, but mean little to others, and simply do not rank against the best in sports. But I am still proud of mine, and you should be proud of yours, too.
I think my point about ranking events, is that different people will look at the same events, but rank them differently. Both viewpoints and arguments may be valid – they may just value them differently.. For instance, someone who has had bad back problems may feel Tiger’s comeback was better, while another who has had a car crash, suffering major injuries, may prefer Hogan’s. I prefer to say “Wow! Tiger’s was great because a) b) & c), and so was Ben’s due to d) e) & f)”. I don’t personally feel the need to rank them, or separate them.
Mike W
Sep 26, 2018 at 5:55 pm
I’m responding to your post below, where you talk about “personal bests”, but for whatever glitchy reason the forum won’t allow me to do. So I’m responding here. Actually, 37 would not be my personal best. That was 32, more than once, many, many years ago. But even that was a paltry accomplishment because it was a commonplace muni course and if I strung four of those together for a 36 hole 128, on that course it still probably wouldn’t be enough to play on the weekend had the tour been playing there. I admire Tiger’s drive and determination to make it back in spite of great pain (and back pain’s about the worst, this coming from a guy who once threw his back out so thoroughly that I went down like I was shot and nothing, no power on earth, could’ve enabled me to stand up or even crawl, it was like being paralyzed). So I can respect that, and I am a fan and hope he goes on to win 20 majors and removes all doubt about the GOAT (until another one, perhaps not yet born, comes along who’s just like him)–but still the comeback that Hogan put together was simply hands-down the best.
Ironic Millennial
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Yes. In fact, if you don’t acknowledge this as the greatest come back of any kind in the history of humanity, you’re a racist.
Mike W
Sep 25, 2018 at 10:24 pm
Hmm. Somehow I think you missed my point. I was mocking my “accomplishments”. I was trying to point out that it’s illogical to say that accomplishments can’t be ranked. Of course they can. My would rank something like 100 millionth. Tiger’s would probably be third in golf behind Hogan and Vardon.
Ironic Millennial
Sep 26, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Oh I wasn’t responding to you…more a general poke at those in these comments implying that if one doesn’t love tiger and claim this as “the greatest comeback in sports history,” they must therefore be racists.
Mike W
Sep 26, 2018 at 5:48 pm
No, it was my bad. I meant to respond to Dr. Rob and accidentally responded to you. Sorry about that.
joro
Oct 8, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Not a racist and not the greatest comeback in History, leave that for Hogan. Watch what Tiger does and see if his” Magic comeback” lasts, it sure did not in the Ryder Cup where he lost all his matches,,, along with Phil. And while your at it shove you racist comment when the Sun don’t shine.
HKO
Sep 23, 2018 at 9:12 pm
i just wish all the haters went to STFU for ever… ok at least for awhile.
seriously, pulling Ben Hogan here to argue who’s greater? SMH
Bez
Sep 24, 2018 at 9:10 am
Its not hating to say that coming back for almost dying twice after getting hit head on by a bus and then winning several majors is a better comeback that winning a limited field event after back surgery(s). Tigers win/comeback is impressive, but 2 years ago no one was wondering if he would still be alive today..
Michael W
Sep 24, 2018 at 6:21 pm
Nahh, you’re right. Tiger winning a non-major event after spinal fusion surgery is FAR GREATER a comeback than Hogan nearly being killed by a bus, then winning three majors in one year. No doubt Tiger’s the greatest comeback of all and anyone who says otherwise,if fact, anyone who thinks every shot Tiger has ever taken in his life, and everything he has ever done in his life (including the stuff with women of the night while he was married and with a kid at home) is not the greatest thing ever, is a full boat HATER of Tiger, probably a closeted racist, a monster. You are just SO RIGHT ON SO MANY LEVELS, HKO!
A. Commoner
Sep 23, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Why in the devil is so much of the commentary and writing (like this) about Woods so far over the top? It is tiring.
Bill Jordan
Sep 23, 2018 at 8:41 pm
I hope he’s back for a few good years yet. Unlike many of today’s golfers, Tiger is a threat in nearly every tournament he enters, which makes them much more exciting to watch. He is one of the most consistently great golfers the game has seen. Just look at how the other ‘greats’ of today folded around him. I’m guessing Koepka might have had a different result at the U.S. Open had he been paired with Tiger on that last day. Koepka basically got to play the round in anonymity. Glad to have Tiger back in the fold. Hopefully he knows enough about his body now to stay healthy.
Bill Jordan
Sep 23, 2018 at 8:57 pm
Check that, PGA Championship vice U.S. Open.
Jim
Sep 23, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Pretty incredible, an amazing rebound from injuries. But Hogan’s recovery was more significant and if we’re talking all of sports you have to consider the Red Sox coming back from three games down to beat the Yankees in 2004. Still was really amazing with Tiger winning and Justice that Rose won the overall FedEx cop too.
Mad-Mex
Sep 23, 2018 at 7:00 pm
I am not a Tiger hater nor Tiger lover,but, Ben Hogan came back from a double-fracture of the pelvis, a fractured collarbone, fractured left ankle, chipped ribs and near fatal blood clots, all without today’s modern medical advances.
GolfDoc
Sep 23, 2018 at 7:10 pm
The difference is between neuro and skeletal. A pelvis, which is the only of those injuries which you could argue would long term impact a golf swing, will still regenerate. A fusion is much more significant. The loss of ROM is permanent and the body is only able to repair neuro involvement. Repair vs regenerate is huge. On top of that, chronic vs acute is also huge. Hogan did not deal with the body’s compensatory movements over years that Tiger’s did. There is no comparison between them.
Bez
Sep 23, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Hogan almost died twice, once from the accident and once from blood clots. You talk about losing ROM,yet Hogan essentially lost use of his legs having to wrap then prior to playing. The wreck also impacted his vision which greatly impacted his putting. What Tiger did is impressive, but until he wins 4 or 5 majore (like Hogan post accident) lets not call it the greatest.
Pharaoh Bhang
Sep 23, 2018 at 8:21 pm
As incredible as Hogan’s comeback was, he wasn’t coming back against the deepest field in history. The number of great players today is far higher than it was when Hogan came back from his accident. I’d also argue that the mountain Tiger had to climb on his way back was as much mental as it was physical.
Bez
Sep 24, 2018 at 9:13 am
Maybe, but the 1950 US Open wanst a 30 man field
And I guess you discredit Jones and his Grand Slam sine the fields were week?? Then again, if the fields had been a little deeper in HOgans days maybe he could have focused more on tournament golf and not had to hold down a club job as well
Patrick Ryan
Sep 24, 2018 at 4:48 am
Hogan was much more than skeletal…..Hogan needed his vena cava tied off bc of a blood clot after the accident. He shouldn’t even have been able to walk again let a long win Us Open 18 months later
Hogan > Tiger
2putttom
Sep 23, 2018 at 7:31 pm
ya and Tiger channeled Ben Hogan to get to this point
dat
Sep 23, 2018 at 6:42 pm
Truly incredible.
Johnny Penso
Sep 23, 2018 at 6:36 pm
I’ve never been the biggest Tiger fan. But even I got a little choked up at the outpouring of positive emotion from the fans as he walked up 18. Not something you see often in golf and reminiscent of the type of galleries that Arnold Palmer used to gather as he walked up 18 in some majors. Great to see, great for golf and hopefully more to come.