The Presidents Cup: Is Tiger Back?

Tiger and US team captain Fred Couples.

With the Presidents Cup winding down and heading into the final day: singles match play, the U.S. team leads the Internationals 13-9. Only needing 4 and 1/2 more points to seal the victory, Tiger Woods will play Aaron Baddeley in the 11th of 12 matches on Sunday. Not sure I agree with this tactic, as Tiger's match may very well be meaningless if the earlier teams can play well. I think despite Tiger's recent struggles, things may be turning around.

For the first time since getting walloped by Elin with a 7 iron, Tiger Woods looks like he's (somewhat) back to his old form. Tiger, even when he was winning tournaments, was one of the best scramblers in the world (obviously not as good a Tebow though). Tiger was also an incredible putter, making clutch putts seemingly in his sleep. When he was on his game and was hitting fairways and greens, Tiger was unstoppable. Even when he was missing fairways and greens, he'd find a way to make birdies and win golf tournaments.

The patented fist-pump.

For the last few years, that magic just hasn't been there. Tiger has been very inaccurate off the tee and hasn't been striking his irons all that well. Going through a swing change over the past year or so, he just never looked comfortable with his new swing. By making him a captain's pick for this year's Presidents Cup, U.S. captain Fred Couples was taking a bit of chance. Tiger has been a historically good match-player throughout his career, but up-and-comer (and Hopkinton high school alum) Keegan Bradley seemed like the consensus pick.  Although Couples' decision doesn't look great right now, as Tiger is currently 1-3-0 in his matches, it isn't because Tiger is playing bad golf. You could say that he struggled in his opening match, a 7 and 6 trouncing (about as bad as you can get) at the hands of Adam Scott and K.J. Choi, but he has played pretty well in the other 3 matches. In last night's match, Dustin Johnson gave Tiger almost no help at all. A frustrated Tiger hit 17 of 18 greens and burned the edges on about 6 birdie putts; things just weren't falling for him (I just wanted a big fist pump on 16 or 17). The Johnson/Woods teams lost 1 Down to the Yang/Kim team that played very well. If some of those putts can start falling, we may see the old tiger again. He drove the ball well, was hitting greens with ease, and making some pretty impressive shots. The flat-stick has betrayed him of late, but I think it's just a matter of time before he gets it back.