Defending champion and new world’s No. 2 Jon Rahm can quietly go about his business this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
So can world’s No. 5 Hideki Matsuyama, same for No. 6 Justin Rose, ditto for lucky No. 7 Rickie Fowler.
No one really cares that 14th ranked Jason Day is starting what he hopes will be his bounce-back season.
No, no one’s paying much attention to those guys, even though Rahm can potentially take over the No. 1 ranking in the world with a victory.
No one’s talking about them.
It’s all about No. 647.
Yes, Tiger Woods.
Woods is beginning his 2018 season, his 21st as a professional, he’s the “old guy” now at age 42. Doesn’t matter, he’s still golf’s greatest curiosity. He’s still the guy with 14 majors, still the guy that proves there’s always hope, no matter how old you are or what you’ve gone through.
Woods finally appears to be as healthy as he’s been in years, yet another back surgery last year appears to have had a good outcome. He made it through four days in the Bahamas in December in a small field, controlled environment at his Hero World Challenge.
This week it’s real live Big Boy golf on a Big Boy golf course — Torrey Pines South.
Woods has had more success on the track than any living player, winning eight times, including the 2008 U.S. Open — his last victory in a major championship.
The field plays The South and the easier North course then plays the final two rounds on the South Course.
Expectations for Woods are uncertain — yet another reason so many eyes will be on him this week.
