Georgie Bingham: Tiger Woods fever could hit new heights
Tiger Woods celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images).
Tiger Yes? Tiger No. TIGER YEESSSSSS? We wait.
What constitutes a great sporting comeback? Well for me, it’s a simple equation. The higher the mountain of recovery to climb, the better the story. A VERY cynical journalistic take there - but people love stories that uplift and inspire. I say this because Tiger Woods even just playing practise rounds at Augusta gave me chills. If Tiger were to come back to tour golf in any capacity be it at Augusta next week or in the next few months, for me it would constitute one of the best comebacks of all time, and he’s already made one in golf (albeit not from the dramatic circumstances like his near fatal road crash last year.)
Comebacks like Alex Zinardi and Lance Armstrong (yes he’s a doper, he is a cheat, and disgraced, but he also overcame life threatening cancer to go back on tour) were winning comebacks, stories of GREAT triumph but I’m not sure I even need Tiger to win, or make a cut, I just want to see him again. Golf needs Tiger as much as it seems Tiger needs to come back to golf.
Who to back at Augusta though? Not great for just my second column here but it’s the one major I really struggle to pick the winner for. I’ve got it right once in about ten years. It’s not the hardest major, but form at this early stage of the season is tough to call and the odds of the last ten winners will tell you no one, not even the bookies know.
Collin Morikawa of the United States and caddie Jonathan Jakovac talk on the practice green during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 09, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images).
I have my current favourite golfers; Colin Morikawa and John Rahm, I feel both have the game to prevail around Augusta National and I shall back them both with a tenner each way. It’s always worth backing someone at hugely long odds to finish top 5. Of course like many I’d like to see Rory McIlroy finally shake off his boogers and put on a green jacket. But these are ‘likes’ not tips - and my record is so wretched I shan’t insult you by trying to bluster. At least I am honest.
Jin Young Ko celebrates in Poppies Pond with her agent, Soo Jin Choi, after winning the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 07, 2019 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images).
The Chevron Championship is on at Mission Hills this week, and if anyone except Jin Young Ko is jumping in the lake after the final round I will be surprised. That girl has won five of her last ten tournaments and it’s hard to think of someone comparable to her for form. Really happy to see the purse for this championship has grown again this year, this time to $5m - and in a week where I got to witness 91k people turn out for a women’s football derby in Spain, I feel the good headlines for women’s sport will just keep coming. I do think organic growth of all women’s sport has to be accepted, slow as it is and these nuggets of gold seem to be coming thicker and faster than before. Until next time!
Georgie Bingham, broadcaster and journalist, writes a bi-weekly column for The Cut Stuff. She’s golf obsessed. She’s ready to go behind the tour.
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