Tiger Woods still wears his famous red shirt on Sundays. But posting red numbers, once a given, is becoming a rare thing for troubled Tiger.
Woods shot a ho-hum 71 in the final round Sunday at the AT&T National — his own tournament. For the first time since the 1999 Bay Hill Invitational, Woods was unable to break par in a single round of a 72-hole event.
But wait, there’s more bad news for Woods, who has no one to blame but himself for his ugly pratfall from grace.
Dating back to 1999, Woods had won at least one tournament in his first six starts of every single year. Not this year. He heads into next week’s British Open at St. Andrews winless. Some would say hopeless.
Last Friday, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, a former tour player, said he believed Woods was “emotionally and psychologically bankrupt.”
That’s a little harsh. But I don’t believe Woods will win a major tournament this year. Not even at St. Andrews, his favorite course, where he won the British Open in 2000 by eight shots with a major championship record 19-under par score. He won there in 2005 by five shots, becoming at age 29, the youngest player ever to win each of the four majors twice.
But Woods’ life, on and off the course, remains a mess.
Various media reports say that his soon to be ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, will get about $100 million from the upcoming divorce settlement with her philandering husband. That’s considerably less than the $750 million that was first reported, but it’s still a king’s ransom. There are also reports that Woods will lose legal custody of his children.
Even if you don’t care about Wood’s sordid personal life, there are indications his golf game is slipping. Check out these stats, as dug up by
Clearly, the emotional and physical problems Woods has endured are taking their toll.
So the question must be asked: Is Tiger an endangered species?
Personally, I think Woods will bounce back to win another major, but he needs four more to tie Jack Nicklaus and five to become the all-time leader. Back in 2008, after Woods won the U.S. Open while playing on a crippled knee, I would have said he was certain to dethrone the Golden Bear. Now? I don’t think so.
Trivia time
All golf fans know that Nicklaus won his final major, the 1986 Masters, at age 46. Previous to winning the ’86 Masters, what was Nicklaus’ last major title? (Answer below)
Polling
Last Thursday’s “Lunch Special” poll asked readers what their biggest concern about the Rockies is as the all-star break nears. Nearly 82 percent said it was the club’s lack of offense.
Quotable
“Yeah, I am (disappointed). I don’t know what the criteria is, and it’s not my place to say who makes the team. But obviously I’m disappointed. It’s in L.A., my hometown. It’t been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. I think it would be foolish to lie and say I’m not disappointed.” — Tigers rookie about not making the American League All-Star team. He was snubbed despite hitting .345 with a .390 on-base percentage and .605 slugging percentage, and despite putting up better numbers than Vernon Wells, Torii Hunter, Jose Bautista and David Ortiz, all of whom made the squad.
Blog spot
The Post’s Benjamin Hochman writes that the Chicago Bulls, with or our without LeBron James on their roster, will be title contenders next season. Check out Hochman’s reasons at
In case you missed it
ESPN baseball writer Jayson Stark notes that the Diamondbacks are well on their way to founding the 200-200 Club. That’s not a good thing. Mark Reynolds (108) strikeouts and Justin Upton (98) are both on pace to whiff 200 times this year. No big-league team has ever sported two 200-strikeout players.
This day in sports
On July 5, 1980, Bjorn Bork beat John McEnroe to win his fifth straight Wimbledon title. For my money, it’s still the best tennis match in history. looking back 30 years to that epic match.
Trivia Answer
Nicklaus won the 1980 PGA at age 40. He also won the U.S. Open earlier that year.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1720 or psaunders@denverpost.com
