Tiger on Top!

Tiger Woods is back on top of the golf universe after taming trash-talking Rory Sabbitini and the rest of the field at this past weekend’s Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

More importantly, it wasn’t just the fact that Woods won this past weekend, but how he won. The world’s best and most famous golfer finished with a scorching 5-under par 67 that included three birdies on his final four holes and one of the most improbable shots he’s ever hit in his illustrious career.

Woods nailed a chip-in wonder on 16 that left the legendary Jack Nicklaus in awe and the rest of the PGA Tour wondering … is Tiger Woods really back?

Nicklaus right about Tiger’s chip

Jack Nicklaus loves himself
some Tiger Woods.

None other than golf’s beloved legend Jack Nicklaus, called Tiger’s chip-in for birdie on the 16th hole at his own Memorial golf tournament, called it  "the most unbelievable, gutsy shot I've ever seen under those circumstances”. Now, if a legend like Jack Nicklaus, who has seen just about everything there is to see in the game of golf, says it’s the greatest shot he’s seen in a situation like the one Woods was in on Sunday, then who am I – or anyone else for that matter – to argue against the great ‘Golden Bear?’

Taming Tiger’s haters!

Tiger Woods is back on top of the golf world!

Apparently, a lot of people still hate the hell out of Tiger Woods for cheating on his now, ex-wife Elin a couple of years back – and I, for one, find it absolutely laughable that some poor souls have nothing better to do than to hold on to some silly hatred for a pro golfer that had extra-marital affairs. While in one sense, it’s laughable Eye On Sports readers, it’s also a sad statement about the depths of which people take their hatred toward others, even those they don’t personally know, in today’s ‘judge-first, ask questions later’ era.

My personal opinion is that whatever Woods decides to do with his personal life is his business, if he isn’t breaking the law and why should anyone care about what he does off of the golf course when he’s undeniably been the biggest driving force the sport of golf has ever seen.

Here’s a sample of the ‘hate’ I found online at various web sites since Sunday’s victory.

week in week out, we see guys fold like lawn chairs on sunday. woods got lucky. That's about it.

 - Danny

This $%# win means nothing. Sure Woods will gain some mo for Olympic, but golf is a very cruel game. I guarantee that he still doesn't believe in his swing enough to win at that track. The 2nd at 16 Sunday was every bit as much about luck as it was skill. At Olympic Woods won't get away with errant tee shots like he did Sunday at 16. 

 - provee

This is Not Considered a Win, enless Tiger wins the U.S. OPEN or a Major tournament not these bubblegum games.

 - JSure

He is done.......weak field at Memorial. He'll choke come US Open.

 - mthold

Once again Eye On Sports readers, I’m thinking Woods’ detractors need to get a life!

Tiger’s Troubles!

Eye On Sports says Tiger
Woods may never regain his
former, world-wide dominance.

Sure, he’s in the midst of rebuilding his career – and his personal life after both fell apart shortly after his Thanksgiving Day debacle nearly three years ago, but I’m going on record right now to say that Woods will likely never regain the dominance – and intimidation factor – that he once held over every other golfer on the face of the planet.

Don’t go having a cardiac arrest or anything Eye On Sports readers, but dare I say, Woods looks … ordinary.

What's your take on Woods and his struggles to regain his previous form? Sound off in the comments section.

Tiger’s Trek to the Top!

Tiger Woods may not have won this past weekend at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, finishing two strokes behind winner Robert Rock after leading the field heading into the final round.

While a 54-hole lead for Tiger was once considered money in the bank, no one that witnessed last weekend’s event doubts that Tiger is well on his way back toward the top of the golf universe.

Hell, even Rock, who won for just the second time in his European Tour career, was mostly surprised to have beaten Woods – and second place finisher Rory McIlroy.

"It's pretty hard to believe that I managed to win," Rock said. "I'm very surprised. It's difficult playing with Tiger. You expect almost every shot to threaten to go in. There was a lot of pressure and I couldn't afford any lapses in concentration at all. It was hard work, but I'm very happy now."

Elin Woods Puts the ‘Psy’ in Psycho!

Okay sports fans, whether you like professional golf or not, you’ve probably got your thoughts on the whole Tiger Woods cheating scandal, even though today, the story is old news for the divorced dad of two.

Having said that, now it seems as though Woods’ ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, is up to some extremely strange behavior that many folks apparently see as borderline ‘psychotic’ and undoubtedly foolish at the very least.

According to a TMZ report this week, Woods’ now famous ex-wife, purchased a $12 million home in North Palm Beach, Fla., only to have the entire thing flattened like a pancake – because she didn’t like it.

The house, which formerly had six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, is now just a pile of scrap thanks to Woods ex – and many people see Nordegren’s actions as those of a self-serving lunatic, which now fuels the thought that hey, maybe Tiger had reason to cheat on this ‘nutjob’ of a former nanny.

If you don’t believe me, just check out some of the comments from around the ‘Net!

Alex - This is what happens when you get money that you didn't earn. You have no appreciation for it.

Ann - San Francisco, California - This story makes me sick to my stomach. What a waste! There are millions of people in this country who can barely make their rent or mortgage payments each month and this woman bulldozes a perfectly good $12 million home. What a crazy world this is.

Lynnie The Pooh - Why couldn't she contact Habitat for Humanity and let them take what materials they could use to build homes for others? I am sure that mansion would have produced a LOT of materials to be recycled into other homes t that are needed.

Vivian M - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Why didn't she do something constructive vs destructive and donated the house to a charity like St. Jude for children or any other worthy charity? She has issues!

Paul Henry - Stockton, California - What an idiot!

Jason M Tustin, California - I was on her side until now. Now she's just another hooker wasting someone else's money.

Andrew G - Orlando, Florida - Tiger isn't looking like the idiot now.

Craig - What a wasteful idiot. Maybe he was cheating on her because she's nuts.

Heather - La Fayette, Georgia - And I'm struggling to buy groceries....What a spoiled brat!

Clearly, according to public opinion – Elin Nordegren puts the ‘P’ in psycho!

Another American Phenom

With Tiger Woods coming off a massively exciting close to the 2011 season and apparently primed to get back to his title-winning ways in 2012, golf is back in the news in a big way on U.S. soil.

However, it looks like Woods will have to make room in the golfing universe for the most recent phenom to make waves in the sport that Woods made popular worldwide.

American teenager Lexi Thompson is quickly making a name for herself – and if the remainder of her career is anything like the blistering start she’s gotten off to – then Woods will likely also have some company when he hits the Hall of Fame in oh, three decades or so.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Thompson made golfing history when she became the youngest winner on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tours.

That’s right golf fans, the 16-year-old Thompson is clearly the ‘real deal’ after winning both, the Dubai Ladies Masters earlier this month  and the Navistar LPGA Classic in September. The youngster who hails from Coral Springs, Florida, is the youngest winner of an LPGA Tournament and second youngest to ever win a tourney on the European Tour.

Young phenom or not, Thompson is taking all of her success in stride –and even says she feels ‘honored’ to be able to play professionally (you hear that NBA ballers).

"There's not really any pressure," Thompson told reporters following her win in Dubai. "I'm just playing the game and doing what I love. Playing every week in these tournaments is an honor for me, so I'm just coming out and relaxing and doing my best."

Tiger’s Back, To Win at Least One Major in 2012!

Love him or loathe him, apparently Tiger Woods is quickly regaining the form that once made him the greatest golfer on the planet – and if you don’t believe me, just ask his own brethren who all agree that Woods looks fantastic.

“It looks like he's getting a lot of confidence back again,'' Stricker said. “It looks like the Tiger of old, really, and it's great to see. We need him out there playing, and playing well.''

“I think he is really 80, 90 percent back to his form again,'' Choi said. I'm very happy about playing with him tomorrow. Tiger is a good friend. He's got a very strong will. He's got the right mental attitude right now, and I think it's going to be a very fun day tomorrow.

“I watched him play a couple of holes today, and I was very impressed at the way he was swinging, at his rhythm, at the power he had,'' Choi said.  “It almost seemed like watching the old Tiger back in the day.''

I’m going on record right now to say that the fired-up Woods wins at least one major in 2012 – and possibly two.