A few random thoughts:
- I’ve no idea why one would limit his window to five years. It’s about his back, the guy is still an amazing athlete in tip top shape. He’ll be competitive into his mid 50s if his back holds up. Phil isn’t half the athlete he is and he’s still in the mix at almost 49; still hits the ball long. He’s fine as long as his back holds up.
I'm fairly certain that most who are looking at his window being five years are primarily thinking of his back.
Putting that aside, there's no denying that it gets harder when you approach fifty. There was once a time when I would have argued strongly that Tiger would render that norm irrelevant. Given his back, I no longer believe this.
- I do think he cares about FedEx. He’s too competitive not to. I do also think he cuts back to 20 or so tournaments but he will play the big ones. He needs competitive rounds to stay sharp and it’s something he’s said himself many times.
In his prime, he played 18-20 tournaments a year. I think he'll do a Nicklaus and focus in on majors now, which means he's looking at 16 a year, including FedEx Cup playoffs. (It's worth remembering that Tiger used to skip one of the FedEx Cup playoff events every year.)
- to that point; he got his mojo back Sunday. He had the tiger strut and steel going for the first time since...when? It’s probably ten years since he’s been healthy and had that back. Yes, there’s more talent on tour now but they hadn’t seen it before. They folded. Yes, he’s still got some rust on his putter, but if he made a few Thursday he’d have blown that away.
- he’s driving the ball perhaps as well or better than he ever has; it’s always been his weak point. He’s found a swing and equipment to bomb accurately.
- as someone noted he will be in the mix at Augusta or any Open course until he dies. His knowledge of Augusta and his versatility in UK events to adapt to the style of play are beyond anyone most likely. DJ or someone in that group isn’t leaving the driver in clubhouse and hitting 3W all day like Tiger will. There’s a ton of talent to be sure, but it’s bomb and gouge mostly. And inconsistent.
- his putting will be fine and get back; he showed Sunday that his game has almost always been ‘get a lead Sunday and then let the pack chase you’. Nobody grinds pars like Tiger.
Sunday was huge for him on so many levels. When I think of Tiger’s most emotional or biggest wins, I think of his emergence at Augusta and his dad; his Open win right after his dad died; and Sunday. I don’t think he could grasp the first, the second was personal and emotional, Sunday was redemption.
He’s going to go on a tear. I think he ends up passing jack and as someone noted, I hope jack is alive to see it - he’s basically golf’s version of the old bitter Dolphins players that pop champagne when last undefeated team loses.
Don't necessarily disagree with your general perspective here, but maybe not as vehement.
Tiger may have the swagger back, and his persona will only become more intimidating as players now see him as a real threat. But his game is not the intimidating factor it once was.
What made him untouchable in his prime was the fact that he was the longest hitter, the best chipper, the best pressure putter, and the smartest player. And the reality is that he has maybe one of those characteristics now. (He's the smartest player in terms of managing the course.) He's still Tiger, and I hope that will bring him another four majors to pass Jack. And if he plays consistently, there's no doubt in my mind that he'll get to #1 later this year.