Tiger's return indicates nothing will change... on the course at least

After over four months in a hiding spot that Bin Laden would be proud of, Tiger Woods has finally returned to the PGA Tour with a fourth-place finish in the year’s first major at Augusta. Though the eventual winner, and Tiger’s main nemesis, Phil Mickelson left this generation’s greatest player in the dust on Sunday, Woods’ play in his first competitive tournament since October only strengthens the belief that normal service in Tigerland will resume quicker than first anticipated.

There is still much work to be done to restore golf’s most marketable image. Maybe it will never be completely repaired. The mind-boggling sex scandal that surfaced following his Thanksgiving night car crash brought Woods to a level of infamy nearly as unthinkable as his countless infidelities. But regardless of what we think of Tiger, his performance at The Masters confirms the guy can still play golf better than anyone else on the planet.

As Tiger’s tabloid drama unfolded deeper and deeper, the world’s number one golfer became the number one villain almost overnight: an identity Woods never dreamed he would have to fight. Suddenly, the question became not how Woods’ extra-curricular activities would affect his golf game, but rather would they cut short a career destined to be the greatest of all-time?

With 71 career victories, including 14 majors, Woods is knocking on the door of every significant record golf can provide. For nearly a decade, the thought of Tiger eventually reaching Sam Snead’s career mark for wins (82) and Jack Nicklaus’ record in majors (18) has been nothing short of a foregone conclusion. However, his latest transgressions have seemingly thrown a massive hazard in his path as many have questioned if he would come back and whether he would be the same player.

But anyone who has followed the illustrious career of this jaw-dropper of a golfing machine can believe with some confidence that not only will Tiger return as himself, he will be even more unbeatable. Fourth at The Masters is proof.

As one of sport’s all-time clutch athletes, Woods has developed an uncanny ability to block out any conceivable form of adversity on his way to winning. Whether it be overcoming the death of his father to win the 2006 Open Championship or hobbling to the 2008 U.S. Open title on a broken leg and torn ACL, Woods always seems to be at his best when he is surrounded by darkness.

In fact, it seems most athletes conjure up career performances when something has gone wrong in their personal lives (take Phil Mickelson for example). The adversity Tiger now faces is completely dishonorable, but it’s adversity nonetheless, and that will no doubt fuel him to become an even better golfer.

It’s true he’s never faced anything quite like this. But nothing is more “Tiger-esque” than going out and doing something no one thinks he can do.

As for climbing back to the top of the mountain on which he’s been perched for so long, Tiger should be looking at fellow clutch athlete Kobe Bryant. In 2003, Bryant found himself in a similar situation after an extra-marital affair and rape accusation. Just as in Tiger’s case, sponsors dropped Bryant instantly in an attempt to distance themselves from his wrongdoings and save some face. An NBA championship, an MVP award and two scoring titles later, Bryant is back on top of the basketball landscape locked in an epic battle for supremacy with Lebron James.

And before long, the golf course will once again host a familiar battle. With Mickelson playing inspired golf and looking better than ever physically, Tiger will be pushing even harder to streamline his resurgence to the top. So any professional golfers who thought this could be the year to capitalize on a down Tiger might want to get back to work because golf’s premier figure is ready to reclaim his crown.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

It has begun.

This stretch of days from mid-March to mid-April serves as my favorite time of the sports year. In the next month, we will experience all the drama that makes the sporting world so great. Underdogs will rise, miracles will come to fruition, and champions will be crowned.

It all started half an hour ago with the tip-off of Butler and LSU to signal the start of the big dance. The NCAA basketball tourney is without question one of the most dramatic events in all of sports. Anybody can beat anybody and the little minnows are given a chance to take their shots at the whales of college basketball. Forget the NBA, those overpaid babies don't know what it's all about. This is basketball at its best. The passion displayed by these 64 teams over the next 3 weeks will be enough to last the pros for the next 10 years. Of course, like the rest of the world, I've filled out my bracket and North Carolina is my national champion. I don't really care for the Heels too much, but as long as Ty Lawson doesn't miss more than the first weekend, it's their tournament to lose.

But hey who knows? Nobody. Who called little George Mason going to the Final Four 3 years ago? Provide me that bracket and I'll eat my words.

*My dark horse for the tournament: Michigan State. Tom Izzo has the Spartans playing some good ball right now. But they're not getting much love. I've got them in the championship, falling to Carolina.

In perfect form, the end of the NCAA tournament leads right into my favorite yearly sporting event: The Masters. I say yearly because I must confess the World Cup is my undisputed favorite, but I have to wait 4 years for that one. But there's nothing that beats The Masters. Golf at its highest form. Everyone knows the course, the holes. I can tell you the ins and outs of every single fairway and green at Augusta National. It's the most dramatic golf tournament in the world and it seems to always come down to the back 9 on Sunday. If I could, I would plop myself on the couch and watch The Masters from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and honestly not feel like I'd wasted a second of my day. For me, there's nothing better. Plus, Tiger's back and Phil Mickelson is playing out of his skull right now. The stage is set.

*My dark horse for The Masters: Bubba Watson, the big hitting lefty (and my favorite player... I'm also a south paw) has started 2009 well and performed well last year in his first Masters. If it comes down to the back nine on Sunday, Bubba's got the power to drop two eagles. I'd love to see him in the top 10. If he wins, I'm a prophet and the golf channel needs to get me on the air!