Tiger does not care much once the tournament is finalized. Once this Open at Bethpage is completed, with a trophy inscribed with some other name, he will focus his attention on his continued recovery (did you forget that he is still rehabilitating?) and the next two major championships, at Birkdale and Hazeltine (not a legal firm, keep in mind.)

Tiger finished second behind the fortunate Richard Beem in the PGA of 2002 and third behind O’Meara and Watts at the Other Open championship of 1998. The total margin of shots that kept him out of playoffs on those Sundays was two strokes. In words, he likes both layouts. He will have completed two major championships by July and will have his major sea legs back by then. Look for him to win both events.

Here is one final element to consider: If you total 2002 and 1998, you average out to 2000, the best Year of the Tiger ever. The consequences of that coincidence are nil, as important in the grand scheme of things as the performance of Tiger at Bethpage and as important as the suppositions people are making about Tiger at Bethpage.

Permalink 4 comments