Woods' greatest strength is his ability to regularly outplay most of the field. While other players may get lucky for one or two days, Woods is typically able to play among the top 20 players nearly every single day of the tournament, which is why he usually has a strong showing toward the end. This recipe for success is highly unlikely this weekend, as this is adding up to be a disappointing season for Tiger.
One thing that no longer works in Tiger's favor is the fear factor. There was a time that Tiger's name on the leader board scared the heck out of his opponents. They'd feed into the frenzy by taking risky shots and imploding at the mere thought of competing with the greatest golfer in the world. But those days are gone, with Tiger becoming just another guy trying to get a win. Funny how things have changed so much since this time last year.
Many of the other players in contention, including Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk, are comfortable competing with Tiger. In fact, the difference in skill sets between these athletes and Tiger Woods is actually quite small. In professional golf, small advantages can make a world of difference, which is why Tiger has remained so dominant. But part of Tiger's power was his commitment to keeping small edges sharp and in tact, and there are some who wonder if he's as committed as he was 10 years ago. I personally don't think that he is. Complacency and personal distractions are among the most persistent threats to a great man's legacy.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.