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PGA Golf: A Perfect Storm For A Perfect Summer

By Les Bailey

March 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Tiger Woods (right) talks with Steve Stricker on the practice green before the final round of the WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Tiger Woods (right) talks with Steve Stricker on the practice green before the final round of the WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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The PGA, Television Networks, and golf fans all over the planet have been waiting for the 2013 golf season. They didn’t know it would be the 2013 season, but fate has chosen the 2013 season. Those who weren’t looking for the 2013 season are the the top 50 golfers in the world who are at the top of their game, and came to the 2013 season with hopes of wining some golf tournaments, and in particular,  getting that all-important major championship on their resumes.

PGA: AT
Feb 12, 2012; Pebble Beach CA, USA; Phil Mickelson (right) shakes hands with Tiger Woods (left) after the final round of the AT /

Here’s the problem….After a five year layoff from being competitive in the majors, knee surgery, marital problems, and complete swing re-construction, it appears that Tiger Woods, now owns his new golf swing, and has become comfortable with it. He has battle tested it  by winning The Farmers Insurance Open by four strokes, and The WGC-Cadillac Championship by two strokes. The only thing left is getting to Augusta for the ultimate test.

The Honda Classic two weeks ago provided the last two pieces of the puzzle that will, in all likelihood,  create a super summer for Professional Golf. Jack Nicklaus, while talking with the NBC Broadcast Team: Provided Incentive

"He noted that the 37-year-old Woods hasn’t won a major championship since the 2008 U.S. Open and that he’s still at 14 majors. Then he added the kicker: If Tiger is going to break his record, Nicklaus said, “He had better get with it.”"

The second piece of the puzzle was provided by someone who wasn’t even there. While Steve Stricker watched the Honda Classic on television, and Tiger struggle on the greens, he realized what the problem was. He decided to get with his buddy on Wednesday at Doral, and give him some putting tips. That generosity not only cost him the tournament, he finished second to Woods, but created the perfect storm for the 2013 season.

The Perfect Storm: At 37 years old, Tiger Woods does not possess the raw talent he owned in 2000 when he was the best golfer on the planet, and destroyed world class fields without breaking a sweat. In 2013, he owns a much older, and wiser talent, with 75% of the raw talent he had in 2000. He has replaced the missing talent with the work ethic of a Larry Bird, the dedication to perfection of a Ben Hogan, and the burning will to win, of a Michael Jordan.

Add to the mix, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell, Charl Schwartzel, and a re-surging Rory McIlroy, and you have all of the ingredients for what should be a perfect summer for golf fans. If Brandt Snedeker can come back with the intensity he had when he was sidelined for rib injuries, it could even be better.

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