Amid the drama, tension and excitement of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor on Monday, the remarkable performance of one American went virtually unnoticed.
This is perhaps understandable as Europe regained the Ryder Cup by just a single point, in the last singles match on the penultimate hole. As finishes to the Ryder Cup go, this was as dramatic as it gets.
No-one would have predicted that the unprecedented fourth day would produce such a finish. At the start of the day Europe led 9 ½ to 6 ½ with only five points required for victory. Early on it looked like they would walk it – right until the USA team produced a stunning fight back to ensure that Europe had to fight very hard for every one of the five points.
In amongst that fight back, however, was a performance that the rest of the golfing world, not just those competing in the Ryder Cup, would do well to take notice of.
Out of form, out of character and almost out on his ear, Tiger Woods justified his inclusion in the USA team by Corey Pavin with a round of golf that may well signal he is getting close to his best once more.
It was certainly his best Ryder Cup performance and if he takes this form into tournament play then his long list of wins will no doubt get longer.
Playing the Italian Francesco Molinari, Woods found himself two down after the first three holes as Molinari started at a blistering pace, scoring birdies on the first and second and par-ing the third.
Woods’ dismal (ok, that may be a harsh assessment, but it’s not been good!) Ryder Cup form looked like it would continue until he pulled one back on the fourth, only to lose it again on the fifth.
His confidence was given a boost with a birdie on the sixth to pull him back to just one down but as both players made par on the next two holes it looked like Molinari had things under control.
Unfortunately for Molinari, the old Tiger Woods decided to make a return for the first time since his well publicised off-course troubles began.
Woods rounded off the front nine with a birdie four on the par five ninth before blitzing the opening four holes of the back nine with three birdies and an eagle on the 12th.
Going to the 14th with a four shot advantage, Woods had firmly closed the door on a defeat barring a miracle five holes from Molinari. It wasn’t to be – nobody seriously thought it would be – and two pars from Woods could only be matched by the Italian, giving the Americans another point in their remarkable comeback.
Consider this though; in 10 holes Woods managed six birdies and an eagle. He was eight under after 15 holes with three to play. Theoretically, he could have finished his round a stunning 11 under. He notched five holes in a row under par.
By anyone’s standards that is a phenomenal round, but especially for Tiger Woods given his recent form. Only Dustin Johnson’s 6&4 humiliation of Martin Kaymer came close on the day.
So is Tiger back to his best? Has his somewhat surprising inclusion in the US Ryder Cup rekindled is love of the game, even in defeat? Should the rest of golf be filled with fear at the name ‘Woods’ on the scoreboard?
Only time will tell, but this was an ominous sign that Tiger is starting to put his troubles behind him and focus once again on his golf game.
Incidentally, I want to congratulate Colin Montgomerie, his vice captains and all the European Ryder Cup team on their victory. Closer than it perhaps should have been, but all credit to the Americans for that. Well done on bringing it home, boys – especially you, @Graeme_McDowell!
