What Is Tiger Doing?

There have been too many peculiar moments in the otherwise majestic career of Tiger Woods to list. Monday's awful wedge shot performance at Congressional joins the list. But as I discussed with Gary Williams today on Morning Drive, the media member in me hoped he had an exact timeline for a return to golf. The fan in me says, please Tiger, stay far away from the game until you're ready.

Unfortunately, he is teasing us with appearances and suggestions that he's hungry to return. But after dropping three balls in the water on live TV to promote the Quicken Loans, and doing it with an obviously compromised follow-through the ball to protect his back, it is hard to not wonder: what is Tiger doing?

Is he just missing the spotlight? Wanting to remain in the spotlight to convince himself he's close? Bored sitting around at home? Eager to please sponsors?

Probably some combination of all those. I certainly can imagine his frustration and can only imagine the physical pain he's suffered. But in a strange way, by showing people this shadow-of-his-former self state, he's making it hard to remember just how spectacular of an athlete he once was.

The dreaded three balls in the water:


Tiger talking about still possibly catching Jack Nicklaus and his major record.