On Monday, the 48-year-old attracted a sizable crowd to a practice round for the PGA Championship on the same course where, during the Tiger Slam in 2000, he overcame Bob May.
Louisville, KY: He is now a middle-aged guy, playing in the ever-longer twilight shadow of his own brilliance, having become exactly twice as old as he was before.
Layers of muscle and layers of scar tissue have replaced the billowy blouse and baggy slacks he wore in 2000 when he famously finger-pointed a birdie putt into this hole. After an incredible performance half a lifetime ago, Tiger Woods is back at Valhalla Golf Club.
Even still, Woods is still the player that everyone wants to see, even though he poses less of a threat to winning.
Our focus will probably shift to another player during the weekend in this 106th PGA, but during Monday’s practice round, Woods was the only one to draw large crowds to stroll about this undulating grassland course located east of Louisville, Kentucky.
This specific fan base probably could care less about LIV Golf or the PGA Tour’s internal drama.
As he went among them, maybe for the final time at this course, the people just wanted to be close to the elderly legend.
As Tiger made his way from the 12th green to the 13th tee on Monday, a Louisville Metro Police officer said, “You the man, bro.”
The officer let out a sigh and uttered, albeit silently, “O.K., I got that out of the way.” The policeman appeared to have to check this box.
On Sunday, Woods took a tour of Valhalla’s front nine. On Monday, he covered the back nine by himself without any playing companions; however, ESPN pundit Andy North accompanied Woods on the 18th hole.
That came after a warm-up session held last week. After 27 years with Nike, Woods was sporting his new clothing line, Sun Day Red.
At the gallery, Woods grinned blandly as supporters yelled remarks that he had undoubtedly heard a thousand times before. Every now and then, he would wave to acknowledge the applause.
He finished his practice and spent the next three and a half minutes signing autographs.
He was primarily here to work, collecting intelligence on a track he knew but had altered over time.
