Give him time, and Tiger might be better than ever
There was a headline a couple weeks ago questioning whether Tiger Woods would ever be the same after his knee surgery, broken leg and eight-month layoff.
You probably won't be seeing that concern again for awhile after his astounding, comeback victory at the Arnie.
And as good as he was that weekend, Woods isn't quite there yet.
Twice on the back nine on that final Sunday, he chose the wrong club. That's a mental mistake you won't see him make a month or two from now when he has a better feel for his club selection and distance.
He's obviously putting very well already, which you would have thought would be the last thing to return, and that has to be frightening for the Masters field.
We should never be amazed by anything he does, but look at what Woods has accomplished already.
In his first action at the Match Play, he was merely OK, but at Doral a couple weeks later, after saying he needed more reps, he went 71-70-68-68, posting four subpar rounds in his first stock tournament.
The results weren't up to to typical Tiger standards, but 11 under ain't exactly horrible for his first real outing.
At the Arnie, he got slowly better each day, with his short game nothing less than brilliant. What needs fixing - at least for him - is the easiest to fix, his club selection and shot-shaping from the rough and fairway.
What he did get on that Sunday at Bay Hill was the opportunity to fine tune in contention, and he was forced to play from behind. There's no better way for him to take his game into Augusta.
And yet, Woods is probably at 70-75 percent of what he's going to be by the British Open or maybe the PGA.
If he can steal one at the Masters or U.S. Open, this could turn out to be a brilliant season.
It's true that he might not be the same as he was before the knee surgery.
He's got a chance to be better.
Hanging around
It's taken me awhile to warm up to Zach Johnson, but the way he stayed in it at the Palmer with his short drives and accurate shots has forced me to take another look.
He has the proper amount of reverence for the meal ticket known as Tiger Woods, but he's also not intimidated because he knows he can't possibly play that game.
He's proven that you don't have to hammer it 350 to win the Masters, or any other tournament for that matter, which gives a little hope to everyone who doesn't bomb it every time out.
Live coverage
ESPN will air from 3-6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with a replay from 7-10 p.m.
You can also see Amen Corner live at masters.com starting at 9:45 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Trivia time
The PGA pros at Chevy Chase in Wheeling sent over this nugget: Can you name the six players in the 2009 Masters field who have made the cut in each of the last five years?
Answer below.
Long shot selection
Jeev Milkha Singh (100-1).
Pick to stick
A.J. Pierzynski played Augusta over the winter, taking hitting coach Greg Walker with him on short notice.
Broadcaster Ed Farmer couldn't make it, so he's paying Pierzynski back for playing without him by stacking three sparkling, miniature, crystal championship trophies in Mark Buehrle's locker.
The national championship trophies celebrate the Florida Gators, Pierzynski's beloved team. Buehrle lockers next to Pierzynski, so he has to see them, but Farmer won't give the trophies to Pierzynski.
Stay tuned because this one's only just begun.
The good guys
The Chicago Wolves host their annual Fan Appreciation Night during the season finale Saturday against Rockford at the Allstate Arena.
One lucky fan will win a trip for two to Mexico's Riviera Maya, and hundreds of other prizes are up for grabs. For more info, visit chicagowolves.com.
Home of the brave
During the first intermission of the Wolves game Saturday (Comcast Ch. 100), Rosemont police sergeant Scott Becker will marry DeeDee Glaser. They met at a Wolves game in April 2007.
The good cause
Fans can buy colored eggs for $2 on Easter Sunday at the White Sox game vs. Minnesota, until the end of the fourth inning. It's a chance to win prizes or autographed memorabilia, with all proceeds going to White Sox Charities.
The quote
White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper on Jose Contreras: "Is he going to be what he was a few years ago? I don't think he'll throw that hard again, but everyone gets older and you learn to pitch better and smarter, and you have better location. That could be Jose. He could be very good again.''
Best headline
Sportspickle.com: "Next year's Road to the Final Four to be built with stimulus money.''
The answer
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Stewart Cink, Retief Goosen and Stuart Appleby.
And finally ...
Golf legend Gary Player: "I've always said, when you finish second, only your wife and your dog remember it. And that's only if you've got a good wife and a good dog.''
brozner@dailyherald.com