1 vs 2: Tiger's Future

It's been a week since YE Yang did the unthinkable, not just for him, but for all of golf: he took down Tiger Woods. In the post-tournament recap, we asked where do we go from here? Tiger Woods went the year 2009 without winning a major, including a missed cut in the British Open. In fact, he hasn't won a major since his comeback from major knee surgery. So now that Tiger has been caught from behind in a major for the first time in his career, the Yoders debate where we go from here. Which path will Tiger take? We debate, you decide.

Mr. Yoder I: Well bro, I was shocked as anyone last Sunday when Tiger finally lost, especially to the man, the myth, the legend: YE Yang! I feel sorry for Yang here, he pulls off the greatest upset in recent memory and nobody wants to talk about him. In fact, I was surprised at the general lack of reaction from the sporting public (of course Brett Favre had something to do with that, maybe they're in cahoots) I think those in the media were quick to write it off as a fluke and basically brush it off, but I'm not so sure that this isn't a huge blow to Tiger's future.

Mr. Yoder II: Certainly I can agree that a lot of credit goes to YE Yang for his play on Sunday, especially his heroic shotmaking on the back 9. In a sense, Yang is a beneficiary and a victim of his own circumstance as an unknown. The only people who have actually stood up to Tiger have been players who already didn't have anything to lose (Bob May, Rocco, etc.). But because Yang isn't on a Phil level, or even an American, he won't get the credit he deserves in the US. Undoubtedly though, the story here is Tiger's defeat. While I was as shocked as anyone, I don't see this as quite the blow to Tiger's future as you do Y1. As much as Tiger is the most dominant athlete of our era (tease perhaps?) he is human after all, can't we give him a break?

Mr. Yoder I: Probably. But did Jordan ever choke in the finals? Has Tiger ever blown it before? No. So, in a sense we are traveling through uncharted waters. We don't know how Tiger's going to react to this loss, because he has never blown a lead in a major before. You said it yourself how lost and panicked he looked on Sunday when he knew the tournament was slipping away. I have NEVER seen Tiger act like that. Sure, he can win all the Firestones and Bay Hills he wants, but he has said himself that he defines himself by the majors. Now, he's lost his invincibility. No one can talk about him being unbeatable down the stretch on Sunday because he proved his own humanity this week. What's going to keep Tiger from thinking to himself the next time he's in contention, "Am I still Tiger Woods, or am I going to blow it again?"

Mr. Yoder II: Sure, this is the first time this has happened to Tiger, but I think you would agree no golfer has been as resilient or mentally tough over the last 15 years as Tiger Woods. Going all the way back to his amateur days, Tiger has consistently shown an ability to rise from the ashes to win. Last year, we were all marveling at his dramatic U.S. Open victory on one leg. Now, just one year later after major surgery, we're decrying the fact that he didn't win a major. How high has he set the bar that the one time he can't get a putt to fall or a execute the perfect shot, people automatically assume the end is near for his dominance? If anything, this skepticism will motivate him to win in the majors next year.

Mr. Yoder I: Yea, but you've got to look at his form in the majors since he came back from that major knee surgery. No wins, 1 top 5, and 1 missed cut in 2009. In fact, in the last 3 years he has had twice as many 2nd place finishes as wins in the majors. The only guy who can compare to the aura of invincibility of Woods is Mike Tyson. Think about it. After Tyson got knocked down by Buster Douglas (right), did he ever win a big fight after that? Sure, he was incarcerated and was absolutely crazy, sure he beat Razor Ruddock and Frank Bruno, but Tyson never won another big fight after that knockout. Tiger's gone a couple years winless in the majors before ('03-'04), but now, he's been knocked out by Buster Douglas. I don't think he can come back from this.

We've seen guys melt from Tiger's stare in the past, but why should they now? Tiger's beatable for the first time in his life in the majors. His ability to finish wasn't there last week. His clutch putting and shotmaking wasn't there. For the first time ever, Tiger blew it down the stretch. If YE Yang can beat Tiger, why can't Jim Furyk next time, or Harrington, or even Mickelson. What made Tiger such a dominant force was that nobody could beat him on Sunday in a major. Now, it can be done. He's 33, and he's already had major knee surgery, but more importantly, he's lost his aura. It's like taking away Superman's superpowers, Batman's gadgets, or cutting Samson's hair. Tiger's a mortal now. Sure he's going to win a couple more majors, but for the first time ever, I doubt he'll get to 19 to break the record.

Mr. Yoder II: The problem is, I don't think Tiger's closest competitors will see him as mortal. Just because Tiger lost a major doesn't take away the 14 he's already won. People like Phil, Sergio, and Paddy will still play like they have something to lose against Tiger when they really don't. Even if his competition was embolden in next year's majors, just look at where the tournaments will be played. While Tiger hasn't won at Augusta since 2005 his most recent finishes have been T3, T2, 2nd, and 6th. The U.S. Open is at Pebble Beach for the first time since 2000, when, oh by the way, Tiger won by 15 shots! If somehow he doesn't win one of these two, the British Open is at St. Andrews (above left) where Tiger has won twice at a combined score of 33 under par!!

So, we've already established Tiger will certainly win at least one major next year. In the long run, he is still certainly on pace to break Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 career majors. The comparison to Mike Tyson is simply absurd. Tyson's downfall was because his defeat to Buster Douglas exposed the fragile person he really was, which led to the downward spiral we've all been witness to since. Tiger is the exact polar opposite. We've already seen him rebound from swing changes, defeats, and injury to continually win tournaments, so why should the majors be any different? If anything, the shocking loss to YE Yang and the questions it raises will only drive Tiger more to break Nicklaus's record, and it will start with at least two major victories next year, put it in the book!

That's what we think. Who's right, and who's wrong? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think about Tiger Woods' future. Also, look tomorrow for the debut of our Decade Series as we will start our countdown of the best soundbytes of the decade.