If you asked anyone five years ago what the PGA tour would look like in 2019, they probably would not mention Tiger Woods as a major figure. The 43-year-old dominated the 2000s, completing the “Tiger Slam” in the 2000-2001 season by winning all four majors consecutively. However, with a series of injuries and the infamous DUI incident a few years ago, Tiger appeared to fade fast from golfing greatness.
That has all changed. On Monday, October 28, 2019, Tiger Woods won the Zozo Championship. The championship marks the first annual PGA Tour event held in Japan. This year’s venue was at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan.
With this impressive win in Japan, Tiger has propelled himself into a tie for the most all-time tour wins. The record is currently 82 and previously only Sam Snead held the record. However, the Big Cat has joined Snead atop the mountain, needing one more win to set a new golfing record.
The Tournament Breakdown
While battling issues with weather and daylight, the Zozo Championship brought in good crowds for the first mainstream PGA Tour event held in Japan.
As previously noted, Tiger Woods won the event, shooting 64-64-66-67 to finish at -19. Japan’s own Hideki Matsuyama came in second with a -16 total, and Rory McIlroy completed four days at -13.
Tiger’s week was especially impressive, playing 72 holes without any double bogey’s or worse. He also had impressive 27 birdies over four days to help him stay ahead of the rest of the field.
Many even thought after 54 holes Tiger had this tournament, for Tiger held the 54 hole lead and is 25 for 25 when leading after three rounds. Speaking with reporters after the round, Woods commented, “I’m just so happy and so fortunate to have this opportunity again.”
The Grind
No one thought this would happen. After his massive fall in the mid-2010s, Tiger Woods’s day appeared to be over with newcomers like Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele dominating the sport. His arrest in Florida in 2017 marked the last straw for many people on whether or not Woods’s would return. It was hard to watch: arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time going from domination to being put in the pack of a patrol car.
But things started to look up. Following the arrest, Wood’s vowed to seek help for his problem with painkillers and to regain his health. He also underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2017 which was the first step in allowing the legendary golfer to return to the big stage. In his return in 2018, expectations were low. Many were just hoping to see Tiger make some cuts and possibly have a top 10. One thing is for certain though: no one thought he would win again.
Those deniers were proved wrong though as Tiger won the 2018 Coca-Cola TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in what will go down as one of his finest hours. The image of patrons storming the 18th fairway as Tiger walked to the green will go down as one of the greatest moments in the sport’s history. Many saw this feat as the completion of The Comeback, but Tiger still had work to do.
As the magnolias blossomed at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, Tiger was about to again shock the golfing world. While astonishing everyone by winning the previous season’s TOUR Championship, Tiger’s -13 victory at the 2019 Masters Tournament showed Tiger’s true greatness. By winning his 15th major, it was clear that Tiger was back and better than ever. The 2019 Master’s win also signified his 81st PGA Tour win, leading to excitement over the possibility of Tiger tying or surpassing Snead’s all-time win record.
Tiger did not hit the 82 win mark during the 2018-2019 season; however, this weekend’s victory has not only tied the record but has also made Woods contemplate picking himself as the captain’s choice for the US’s Presidents Cup team. Although he is the United States’ team captain in this year’s President’s Cup, Woods’s best choice for the final spot on the already stacked team is likely himself. Woods even alluded to the possibility after his win in Japan, facetiously saying, “I think the player definitely got the captain’s attention,” the “player” obviously being himself.
Regardless, you can’t deny Tiger Woods has made one of the most improbable and impressive comebacks in sports history. It is truly astounding to see where Tiger was five years ago and where he is now, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
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