There is no one else like Tiger MyZA

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, explains why Tiger Woods is still the biggest thing in golf.

Tiger Woods and Henrik Stenson shake on the 18th after finishing first and second respectively in the Bridgestone Invitational. Photo: ZUMA / Rex Features

Forget the other 72 players in the Bridgestone Invitational field. They never had a chance.

Tiger Woods probably even overshadowed the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend in nearby Canton once he put the nation’s cable networks on 59 Watch Friday and subsequently posted what would have to be called a disappointing 61, if there is such a thing.

Last weekend at vaunted Firestone Country Club was a good reminder of just how big Tiger Woods is, just how big he is when he wins and just how close we are to a full-fledged return of TigerMania at any given moment.

Tiger matters. More than anyone else in golf, Tiger matters. All Tiger all the time, it’s more than just a saying. It’s our reality.

There is no doubt that Tiger owns the Bridgestone Invitational and this course. His latest stroll through 72 holes at Firestone, capped by a final-round 70 for a seven-stroke victory, was simply a continuation of his domination. Pardon my urge to add, Duh!

What matters at Firestone is that Tiger just inserted himself back into the role as Overwhelming Favorite at this week’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill. It’s a brute of a course with thick rough and tree-lined fairways, not terribly unlike Tigerstone – er, Firestone.

Just when we thought a new era of golf champions was upon us, thanks to Rory McIlroy last year and Adam Scott and Justin Rose this year, we’re headed to the PGA and the two hottest players in the game are Tiger and Phil Mickelson. – Gary Van Sickle