Will Tiger Woods be a Factor in the FedEx Cup Playoff

The top 125 players on the PGA tour meet today at the Barclays.  This week will be a big test for Tiger Woods.

With the turmoil that he has had to deal with this year, will he make it past the first leg of this four week playoff?  This is a series that Tiger has played well in over the last few years, but you have to wonder if he will be able to focus on golf this week.

If he can put his divorce behind him, he has a good opportunity to stage a comeback over the next 4 weeks. With the Ryder Cup only 36 days away, Tiger needs to prove that he should be a part of the Ryder Cup team because of his performance and not because of past performances.

Many expect Corey Pavin, Ryder Cup Captain of the USA, to automatically pick Tiger Woods as part of the team. Personally, I think that would be a mistake unless he shows that he can be a strong contributor.

There is no doubt that when Tiger Woods is focused, he is the player to beat.

It would be great to see the Tiger of old.  He electrifies the fans when he is playing well.  Many want to see the fire in his eyes and the now famous Tiger Woods celebration pump of his fist in the air after sinking one of the long putts.

Tiger and Elin Turmoil Ends in Divorce

Courtesy Getty Images

After 10 months of media scrutiny, the Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren saga comes to an end.  Seeing a marriage crumble and end in divorce is never a pretty sight.  It is a sad day for all those involved.

In a joint press release on Tigerwoods.com, the two made it official that their marriage has ended in divorce.

“We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future. While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us. Once we came to the decision that our marriage was at an end, the primary focus of our amicable discussions has been to ensure their future well-being. The weeks and months ahead will not be easy for them as we adjust to a new family situation, which is why our privacy must be a principal concern.”

Their marriage officially ended today with a judgment entered in Bay County Circuit Court in Panama City, Fla.

Although I am certain that the children will be well taken care of, they will surely be affected by the events that lead up to this tragic end.  Often times adults forget how their actions will affect those around them.  With Tiger Woods, this has definitely been the case.

Tiger allowed the many distractions that come from all the notoriety and fame that he has as a professional golfer to affect his game.  He is not the first to have this happen and will not be the last.

Unfortunately, it is seen all too often in our world of celebrity fixation.

Hearing this news explains quite a bit about Tiger’s performance in the last few tournaments.  How could anyone be expected to remain focused when dealing with something as stressful as divorce.

Although Tiger has committed to playing in the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, I expect that he will continue to struggle with what has to be one of the most difficult things he has ever had to deal with.

Our prayers go out to Tiger, Elin and their children.

Tiger Continues to Struggle

The weather has been ideal and Firestone is in perfect condition, but for Tiger Woods none of this matters.  The #1 ranked player in the world continues to struggle and is looking at an early morning tee time on Saturday.

After an opening round 74, Tiger struggled again shooting 72 and ending up 6 over par after two rounds, 13 strokes off the lead.

Consistency Has Left Tiger Scratching his head

One of the big issues that Woods is dealing with this week is keeping the ball in play off the tee. Firestone is a demanding course and you must be in the fairway to have a change to score.  Tiger has always had an aggressive swing, but he seems to be pressing a bit.  For someone who can drive a golf ball over 300 yards at will, a slight change in his timing is all it takes.

I am impressed by how Mickelson is playing this so far this week.  Lefty is 6 under par after two rounds, tied with Justin Leonard for second place, 1 stroke of the lead.  This is uncharted territory for Mickelson and if he continues to play well, could take over the #1 ranking in the world.

Look for a great weekend of golf at Firestone.  Visit the WGC Bridgestone Invitational Leaderboard for all the action.