LA JOLLA, Calif – (January 27, 2011)—Wouldn’t you know it? The “Mr. Awesome” Tiger Woods arrived as scheduled at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Wednesday full of smiles. He was wearing a white hat, that could not be missed, and posed for pictures.
(Photo by: Bill Wechter, Staff Photographer, North County Times)
Tiger Woods, right, congratulates playing partner Kenneth Bentley, Advocates Golf during Wednesday’s pro-am for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Ken Bentley, Advocates Pro Golf tour, recently had the distinct pleasure of playing a round of golf with the Tiger Woods during the Pro Am of the Farmers Insurance Open being held this weekend at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.)
We all know that Tiger is back, and on track, at this annual PGA Tour stop, and that’s a welcomed relief that always pays well for almost all involved in the coverage and on the green.
Long before the former World Number One injured his body, spirit, and soul, he was the only golfer in history who has continued to bring so much unmistakable “star power” and “dominance” to the sport of golf. Currently, unmatched by anybody else, none has been able to beat his record of winning the former Buick Invitational six times.
In addition, Tigers’ 2008 U.S. Open playoff conquest has remained among one of golf’s shining and untouchable moments.
Howbeit, pride in hand, Tiger seems as though he would rather not talk about the downfall that began 1 1/2 years later, and who can blame him? While he may be able to win another 100 tournaments these wins will never erase the stain of his personal infidelity and the frenzied scandal that came with it. The episode cost his dearly in sponsorships and relationships—all on and off the course.
We watched in horror as Tiger did not win a single tournament last year, and, he lost numerous endorsements, got divorced from his wife, lost full-time custody of his children and rumbled down to No. 3 in the world.
He will open up on Thursday for his 2011 season at the Farmers Insurance Open.
This will be Tiger’s first time playing at Torrey since the 2008 U.S. Open, so you can imagine that he is trying to have a clean slate following the airing of his oh, so dirty, dirty laundry.
According to Tiger, “Well, the determination hasn’t changed,” he said. “It’s just that I need to be focused and put into a proper perspective. I went down a path I should never have gone, and now the determination is keeping my life in balance. That’s where it’s at.
“If my life’s in balance throughout the course of my career, I’ve had good years. What’s most important to me is my kids. I need to be in balance for them, and that’s what it’s all about.”
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