Tiger At Torrey: Who Can He Beat Nine Years Later?

Let us take you back in time for a moment to June 16th, 2008, Torrey Pines, South Course, first-time it hosted a U.S. Open.

Seventy-two holes was not enough to produce a U.S. Open champion.  Tiger Woods found himself tied with journeyman Rocco Mediate, destined for that Monday playoff, 18-holes, mind you, because the USGA still demands it.

Woods made an incredible 15-footer for birdie at the 72nd hole on Sunday to tie Mediate in regulation.  He had to do it again on Monday to send it to sudden-death.  Vintage Tiger Woods.

Ninety holes wasn’t enough as Woods could not shake the annoying guy who had him by the pants-leg.

Sudden death.

It was the only anti-climatic moment.  A regulation par by Woods at the first playoff hole won it for him when Mediate could not make a 15-foot par putt at the seventh hole.

Fast forward to present day.

It has been eight years, seven months in rough math since Woods’ last major championship.

Today, it’s not about majors, it’s about another comeback from injury, probably the last.  There aren’t many comebacks after the age of 41.

Woods finds himself back at a place he really loves.  And why not?  He’s won eight times there as a professional and once as an amateur.

When the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open begins on Thursday, there will be no easing back into this comeback gig.  Woods heads right to the first tee of the South Course where there will be no 59s shot.  The world’s No. 663 isn’t paired with any no-names either.  Here you go Tiger — say hello to Jason Day (his buddies call him J-Day) and Dustin Johnson (everyone calls him DJ).

J-Day and D.J, numbers one and three in the world, will shake hands with the world’s most famous 663 then have at it.

The biggest question this week surrounds expectations for No. 663.

How will he play?  Who will he beat?  Is Torrey Pines still a magical place for Tiger Woods?

This isn’t The Hero World Challenge.  You have a decorated full-field PGA Tour event at a bonafide championship caliber golf course and its redesigned little brother to the North.  Three days of angst, one day to make a bunch of birdies.

First things first.  Tiger Woods is expected to make the cut if you listen to him talk about the fact that he’s feeling good, putting well and playing good in spurts.  Witness the fact that he made more birdies than anyone else in Albany last December.

Okay, make it to the weekend, job one for Woods.

Job two — avoid the big numbers.  If Woods can cut down on what he called “mistakes I don’t normally make” then who knows what’s in store for Saturday and Sunday, assuming he gets to the weekend.

So what is a good showing?  Top 40, top 30, top 20?  Heaven forbid, top 10?

When you consider the quality of the field, a top 10 would be nothing short of miraculous and the “Tiger’s Back” signs will go up across the land.

Consider that Woods gets up close and personal with J-Day and DJ for 36-holes.  You have Hideki Matsuyama in the field, PGA Champion Jimmy Walker, two-time winner of this event — Brandt Snedeker.  Brooks Koepka is making his season debut.  Patrick Reed’s showing up and if there’s a name player Woods can beat, let’s throw Rickie Fowler’s name out there.

Oh yeah, there’s that Mickelson guy, you think Woods can take him?

Fact is, no one really knows what Woods can come up with.

Fact is, Tiger Woods back in action is a great thing for golf and a great thing for the PGA Tour.

Doesn’t matter that he’s No. 663.

With 14 major championships and 79 PGA Tour victories, he’s still the 8,000-pound elephant in the room.

All eyes are on him.

And he knows it.