US Open 2013: Tiger’s turbulent comeback deserves a perfect ending at Merion

What Tiger made of this unfavourable scenario at Merion was simple – experiment, adapt and evolve. As the largest quadrant of media highlighted his handshake with Sergio Garcia on several re-runs of their golf shows on telly, Tiger jotted the perimeters of the course and set his primary markers on the field for the weekend. His principle of ‘recovering from the worst tourney situation depends on work-ethic in preparations’ still separates him from his fellow pros. While his fellow competitors were busy entertaining the media on how ecstatic they were in sharing the teeing square with Tiger Woods, the champ himself was fighting with the rains, leaving nothing on the fortune Gods that doomed his Masters campaign. He meant business when he won his last 3 US Open crowns; he means the same now.

He tested his wedges, irons, putters and his comfort levels with respect to the conditions. And don’t be surprised if he does that again ahead of the first round! Tiger is making it evident for us all that to end this comeback circus once and for all, he will take that extra leap if the situation demands him to do so. The way he brushed away the vehement remarks from Garcia, a prolonged Masters controversy and his recent mediocre display at the Memorial tournament, Tiger has already decided to set his priorities straight.

Moreover, he understands what a stage like Merion offers to his ambitions. It offers him a Major triumph if one survives until its very end; an opportunity to temporarily shelve his introvert side and unleash the ruthless winner in him that incites a rare feast-like atmosphere from the on-lookers. Another step closer to the Magic number 18 set by ‘the Golden Bear’ is again something he could never ignore. Yet, more importantly, it gives him a chance to convince himself.

Expect a rather outlandish setting on this gloomy Sunday evening as the Holy Grail will be presented to its rightful winner. Frankly, a win for Tiger, that is always accompanied with a few customary roars and a soothing smile, would still do enough to enliven the atmosphere at Merion.