The Masters Tournament is underway and there’s more buzz than ever before.
The reason being? Without any surprise, it’s because Tiger Woods is again playing at a major.
“This is my 42nd Masters,” said club chairman Fred Ridley on Wednesday to The Associated Press. “I have never been a part of this week where there’s been any more excitement.”
I’m assuming that includes when Woods was dominating golf and was arguably the most polarizing figure in sports. That’s remarkable.
Woods ended the first round of the Masters at 1-over-par 73 — certainly not great, but definitely not a disaster. Jordan Spieth finished the round atop the leaderboard at 6-under-par 66.
He hasn’t won a major tournament in a decade (2008 U.S. Open). So, what is it about Woods this time around that’s got fans flocking to Augusta and perhaps thousands more watching from TV?
Is it that he’s always been as popular as ever even while he was in a slump and was recovering from injury?
Or is it because people are pulling for a redemption story? Woods — the famed athlete aiming to get back on top of the mountain after falling from grace because his infidelities went public, and then his public image took another hit when he was arrested last year for a DUI after he fell asleep behind the wheel.
I can’t speak for everybody. As for myself, it’s because of the latter.
I’m not excusing Woods’ past indiscretions, but everyone deserves the chance to right wrongs.
I hope Woods is in contention in the final round. If he wins, it could very well be the sports story of the year. It would be the kind of story that gets movies made.
But more importantly, I hope his personal life is starting to get back together. If golf is the necessary avenue, so be it.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
