Tiger Awakes From His Personal Nightmare At Bay Hill

Tiger Woods stood on the 18th green with a five stroke lead Sunday at the Bay Hill Club in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. You could see a sense of peace and satisfaction in him.

Having awakened from a two and a half year nightmare, Tiger sported a smile on his face, a smile of relief and humility. His victory marked the 72nd of an incredible career many thought was over.

To go without a victory for three years as a person who had won on average better than every four times he entered an event was torture for Woods. His accomplishments also include a great amateur record with three USGA Junior and three more USGA Amateur title, all in a row. The man has won 14 majors yet it was questioned if he would he ever win again, much less less surpass the record 18 majors of Jack Nicklaus.

His nightmare started on that fateful night when he crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant at the end of his driveway followed by his wife’s smashing a golf club through the vehicle window. The discovery of a sex scandal that landed him in addiction rehab in Mississippi and in divorce proceedings followed. That included the breakup of his family of two children. No major athlete has ever fallen this fast and low from grace.

The nightmare continued with physical injuries requiring surgeries, a controverisal change in both swing coach and caddy and new business management. As high as his star rose, his fall left the golf world shaking their heads.

When Arnold Palmer was rushed to the hospital to treat a high blood pressure condition Sunday, it cast a somber note to a special day. Arnie was not there to give Tiger the champion’s trophy for the seventh time. Palmer has given so much to the game and humanity and gave Woods even in his absence a new hope for tomorrow.

Still, a walk back into the light and out his personal darkness as if arranged by the golf gods has truly taken shape for Tiger Woods. My true wish is for Arnie’s speedy recovery and that Tiger continues to embrace the humility that makes it clear how success is fleeting and life is valued.