Let Tiger be Tiger - Architects Don’t Win Golf Tournaments
It was around the dawn of the new millennium that a new golfing term was coined. Suddenly golf courses across the globe were trying to master the art of “Tiger-proofing.” That is golf courses were trying to make the game more difficult for the new breed of golfer – a breed personified by the Tiger Woods phenomenon.
Augusta National got in on the act a few years ago and, finally, Augusta has roared in the face of progress and, over the last four days, tamed the Tiger.
There is nothing wrong with that of course. Woods has no divine right to win every week. And tournament committees can choose the layout of courses as they see fit.
But, perhaps, golf should take a look in the mirror this week. This was not a great Masters and reports from the course suggest that it was more than the weather that dampened the spirit of the galleries.
With the greatest of respect to the winner people do not expect to see players ranked outside the world’s top 50 win the Masters. Rather they want to see the world’s best players gradually conquer the course over four days. A Sunday birdie shoot-out is preferred.
If that means Tiger has it his own way then OK. Why should a golfer so manifestly ahead of his competitors not win everything in sight? Punishing Woods punishes the whole field and the public. It’s up to his competitors, not golf course architects, to rein Tiger in.
If Tiger’s greatness smashes course records so be it. The Olympic motto is Swifter, Higher, Stronger. In sport each generation should strive to consign the last to the history books. That is progress.
By losing sight of that Augusta lost something else last week. Let’s hope the spirit and allure of this tournament is not gone forever.