Tiger is on the prowl

by Paul Madden

It had been suggested that knee surgery would stifle the success of the worlds greatest golfer. But after just three tournaments back in the mix Tiger Woods has already claimed his first post-surgery victory, claiming the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill last weekend. It was his sixth victory at the invitational, his 66th PGA Tour victory in total.

All the sixes would suggest bad omens for anyone else with designs on claiming the Augusta Masters next month as Woods has been installed as outright 7/4 favourite to claim his fifth Green Jacket.

Woods position as Number One in the world had been in doubt with world number two and bitter rival Phil Mickelson starting the season in fine form. His latest victory would suggest he is not likely to give up the Number One slot without a fight.

At Bay Hill he equalled his own record of overturning a 5-shot final day deficit to claim the title beating fellow American Sean O'Hair by one stroke thanks to a 15-foot putt on the final hole.

While Woods will be glad to have a victory under his belt so early into his comeback there are a number of factors that will stand between him and his 15th Major victory, not least the troublesome knee.

Padraig Harrington, although notoriously slow at this stage of the season, has one three of the last six Majors. His confidence in the big pressure situations could be a telling factor.

The new wonderkid of golf, County Down teenager Rory McIlroy is already being talked about as a potential multiple Major winner and 2008 Augusta Masters champion Trevor Immelmann has suggested the 19 year old has sufficient skill and aggression to win the title on his debut.

With World Number Two Phil Mickelson returning to form there is every possibility that the bookmakers are putting too much faith in Woods rediscovering the heights of days gone by. Mickelson has won two of the last five Masters at Augusta, Woods has won just one.

There is no question that Woods will win a 15th Major, he may even win a 16th. But at 33 years old if the next one doesn't come along soon it is difficult to see him reaching Nicklaus' record of 18.

His first Major came at Augusta in 1997 and after claiming the US Open in 2002 he had won eight Majors. Since then twenty four majors have come and gone and Woods has won six, one in four on average, one a year. So IF he returns to the form he had before his injury catching Jack Nicklaus' record should only be a matter of time.