Tiger Woods Trailed by Five Strokes and Won

Fifteen feet is the distance from the backboard to the foul line on a basketball court. The last putt, on the seventy second hole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, was a bit longer than that distance for Tiger Woods. If he makes the putt, he wins the Invitational after beginning the day trailing by five strokes. If he misses the putt, it is a playoff with Sean O’Hair.

There was really not much doubt. Tiger Woods made the putt and added to the legend.

Whether one is a fan of Mr Woods or not, there is little doubt that we are privileged to watch one of the finest athletes of a generation - and a golfer who redefines his sport. To those who followed the last round, the conclusion somehow seemed inevitable. Even trailing Sean O’Hair by five strokes, the drama of the day was not “if” Tiger Woods could take the lead but “when” it would happen.

With Tiger Woods back from his injury hiatus, he will boost fan interest and television viewer numbers. Tiger Woods’ return is, in itself, a ’stimulus package’. It means increased revenue with the exception of his competitors. One could only imagine what those last eighteen holes were like for Sean O’Hair. His five stroke lead was not enough. And on a dramatic March Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the dropping of strokes must have been excruciating. The irony for Sean O’Hair is that he becomes part the lore of golf - and he will be remember now far more than if he had won on that long Sunday in March.

Catherine Forsythe