Will 2008 be the magic year for Tiger Woods? 2007 was close
Nine-time player of the year out of 11-years, with a stroke average of 67.79, could only add up to Tiger Woods. With 7 wins and likely over $100 Million in total earnings for 2007, you would think Tiger had a great year, but it was only 4-strokes away from being as good as 2000, his best on tour.
The year 2000 is what most people, including Tiger himself, use as the standard for a great year, and it appears that Woods is capable of replicating that achievement. In that year he won 3-majors and held all four majors at one time spanning another year. The amazing story that I recall from that year was the dominating win at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, with no 3-putt greens over the 4 days.
At the Target World Challenge where Tiger is the host, he will be competing in the event with a field of only 16 players. Speaking to the media, Tiger reflected on the year for him in 2007, fatherhood, and what may be in-store for 2008.
Woods feels more refreshed and energized after some time off, as he felt with the new playoff system in place this year. There was more golf toward the end of the year, and many of the players were a bit more tired than usual. “I hope it only takes 5 or 6 holes to get in the competitive swing of things.”
When asked how fatherhood has changed him, Tiger would say that he appreciates the little things more, and thought that his own Dad would live forever. He felt he did not spend enough time with his Father Earl, and would try to make up for that by spending a lot of time with his daughter, Sam. Tiger said that the time he has spent with Sam makes him not think of anything else.
In looking forward to his golf for 2008, Tiger claims that he has not looked at his schedule, but would play in appropriate events to get him ready for Augusta. He also must be looking ahead to Torrey Pines, the site of the 2008 U.S. Open, where he has had many successes.
Tiger feels good about his game and feels he is getting better at fixing swing flaws on the fly. This may have something to do with the fact that swing coach Hank Haney has not been as active. There have been reports that Haney’s wife has been ill, so the fact that Tiger is able to fix things on his own, has worked out. Tiger did say he still needs a second set of eyes, but he is getting better at knowing what to change based on ball flight issues.
Tiger was asked how he has changed in the business world as he has some new endorsements, including Gatorade. “I had no clue in the beginning” Woods would say, relating to how his first endorsements were handled. He is more careful and more involved now, and says he knows more about the process. He’s not just signing, and seeing somebody else make a lot of money. He is very involved with Nike on products he plays and that carry his name.
The first Tiger Woods designed golf course will open in Dubai in the fall of 2009, and it is likely the course will be the site of a European Tour Event. That tour is opening an office in Dubai soon, and you will see more action there.
So, Tiger has given us the state of the Tiger, and it sounds like his Family life, his golf and his business life are all in order. Nothing new for Tiger Woods, every thing is falling into place, just like his winning putts.
