• Tiger back at the Grand Slam Tiger back at the Grand Slam By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island Even if it’s been three days since Tiger Woods’ sometimes spectacular, sometimes mediocre win at this year’s Master’s, I
• Tiger back at the Grand Slam
Tiger back at the Grand Slam
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Even if it’s been three days since Tiger Woods’ sometimes spectacular, sometimes mediocre win at this year’s Master’s, I still can’t get that 16th hole shot out of my mind.
If you watched it live on television, just like I did, then I know that you are still thinking about it, even if you aren’t a golf fan.
But even if you caught it during Sportscenter highlights, there’s still a good chance that you’re replaying that shot in your mind over and over again.
I mean, no one, not even Tiger expected that shot to trickle in, especially with that dramatic pause at the end.
While watching it unfold at home, I found myself yelling at my television set and as the ball rolled closer and closer to the hole, I climbed closer and closer to the TV.
And to top it off, when the Nike ball paused for a couple of seconds before going in, I nearly slammed my head into the TV set, but luckily it went in!
“More than anything, it’s validation of all the hard work I’ve put into it (changes in his game),” Woods said.
It’s been a long time since Tiger won a Grand Slam event. In fact, the 2002 U.S. Open was the last time he won a major event.
I didn’t realize this at first, but Tiger was 0-10 in major contests, prior to this past week-end’s Master’s.
What makes this win even sweeter is the fact that Tiger will be coming to Po‘ipu to play in the Grand Slam of Golf, which happens towards the end of November (21-23).
This will be the first time he’s been here since 2002 and when he’s here, he’s lethal. Woods won five in a row, starting in 1998.
We all witnessed the spectacular performance from Phil Mickelson last year, who carded a magnificent 59 in the final round and no matter what happens at this year’s Grand Slam, it will be better, just because Tiger will be back to roam the Garden Isle.
But why is Tiger Woods such a great influence?
Maybe it’s because he is a minority in the game, or maybe it’s because he plays with such passion and intensity, or maybe it’s even because he’s just so good!
Whatever the reason, Tiger just makes golf fun to watch and he even makes the non-golf fans watch the sport, once thought to be a white man’s game.
When he comes to the beautiful Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course, there will be a huge gallery of people waiting to see him. Personally, I hope his mom will be able to make the trip as well, oh and his wife too!
I think people also love Tiger because he doesn’t forget where he comes from.
Even after his Master’s win, he mentioned that he wasn’t able to give his father, Earl, a bear hug for the first time ever.
The elder Woods who has suffered from cancer and heart problems, managed to witness his son’s final round of The Master’s on television.
His mom, dad, and friends are always there waiting for him and it’s good to see Tiger celebrating with the people that matter the most to him.
Woods also has a chance to win golf’s Grand Slam (All the majors) in the same season.
The U.S. Open (June 16-19) is the next major, followed by The British Open (July 14-17), and the PGA Championship (Aug. 11-14).
But even if he doesn’t win any other major this year, he’ll still be making the trip to Po‘ipu, which will make almost everyone on the island as happy as Tiger, when he won this past Sunday!
