Has Tiger Woods returned? That is the question on the lips of every discerning golf fan ahead of the 112th U.S. Open which begins on Thursday.
The leading lights of the golfing world will descend on the Olympic Club in San Francisco, to try and claim the second major of the year.
The 14-time major champion will step out alongside fellow Masters champions Phil Mickleson and Bubba Watson, in a star-studded pairing that will attract the majority of attention for the first two days.
Woods has not won a Major since the U.S. Open in 2008. As a result of his well-documented personal problems coming to light, the once fiesty character shrank further and further into his shell with every attack from the media. His marriage fell apart, as did his game.
However, last week he reminded everyone who might have forgotten, just why the best golfers can never be completely written off, reliving some of the old magic to win his 73rd PGA Tour win, equalling the tally of Jack Nicklaus as he triumphed by two strokes at the Memorial in Ohio.
Many consider this to be a turning point for Tiger, and he is now number four in the world rankings. The question remains though whether he can reclaim the form on the biggest stages, where the eyes of the entire golfing world are upon him.
Crucially, his putting was better than it has been for years. Putting gives any golfer confidence and is where tournaments are won and lost – just ask Lee Westwood, whose only barrier to winning a Major is his performance on the green. He made fewer mistakes, posting only half as many bogeys at the Memorial tournament, as he did at the Masters earlier this year.
Woods’s joy at his first win since 2009 was palpable. His fist-pumping celebrations as he worked his way to victory rolled back the years.
Speaking to the media after his Memorial triumph, he said: “I hit the ball great today. What was so exciting about today is that I didn’t really miss a golf shot. I hit the ball just as good as I have in years. That was fun when I needed it the most.”
Phil Mickleson, a four time Major champion, still has not got the U.S. Open trophy on his mantlepiece, and his preparation for the tournament could not have been worse. After posting an opening round 79 at the Memorial, he withdrew blaming “mental fatigue” (despite the fact he returned from a family holiday just days earlier).
However, it has come to light in the last few days that his withdrawal might have been a protest against the use of mobile phones, and the constant snapping of cameras by the audience, which allegedly distract the golfers.
Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler have also expressed their annoyance at the permittance of mobile phones on the course. However, they are professional sportsmen, paid vast sums of money. They should be able to grit their teeth and play through it, given that it is a level playing field for everyone.
As far as hopes of the defending champion goes, nobody is expecting Rory McIlroy to repeat his feats of last year, when he romped to victory in Maryland. The Ulsterman is in poor form having missed his last three cuts, while relinquishing his World Number One ranking to Luke Donald last week at the BMW PGA Championship.
Conversely, some of his closest competitors are in fine form heading into the championship, with the likes of rookie sensation Rickie Fowler and tour veteran Matt Kuchar, as well as the re-emergence of Tiger.
One player who will strongly fancy his chances is Luke Donald. The World Number One was in stellar form as he strolled to victory in the BMW Championship at Wentworth. His driving accuracy and iron play has improved, and he is considered to be one of the best putters around.
The field is wide open. Now we have to hope that the players will produce performances that live up to the tournament’s glittering reputation. If Tiger can roar again, the icing will be on the cake for the world of golf this June.