One of the ultimate sources of subjectivity in the world is the calendar. Every week is filled with days marked by unique experiences of particular individuals.
The possibility of opposite realities occurring at the same time exists each day, sometimes simultaneously. Today could be the worst day of my semester if I flunk my accounting midterm. At the same time, someone else could be experiencing the joy of welcoming a newborn child into the world.
While failing a test is objectively bad and becoming a parent is objectively good, I didn’t become a father and the newly minted parent didn’t fail my accounting exam. As a result, our opinions of the same day are polar opposites.
It should come as no surprise that Sept. 23 represents a completely different experience for sport fans, specifically those who follow professional golf.
On that day, Tiger Woods capped off a masterful performance in the Tour Championship and won his first golf tournament since 2013.
For some, that Tuesday represents a long time coming. They thought it was obvious that Woods would win another major tournament after his dominant seven-stroke win in the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational, and they were finally proven right —1,876 days later.
For others, Sept. 23 is the day they were proven wrong. They believed Woods would never reach his 80th PGA tour win. Scrutiny mounted as the mistakes Woods made in his private life became the topic of discussion in the tabloids and the weekly talk shows. The thought of Woods’ career ending short of 80 wins became more believable with each passing tournament as the world watched a man’s life spiral into the ground.
While it’s interesting to see the parity between how different golf fans viewed Sept. 23, these opinions are irrelevant compared to the way Woods will look back on that fateful Tuesday.
I don’t know Woods, but I think it’s safe to say he harbored self-doubt now and then because we all do. This was especially clear after his fourth back procedure in 2017, when Woods admitted to reporters at the U.S. Presidents Cup that he had envisioned a future in which he would never return to competitive golf.
Woods is nothing if not a competitor though, and he pressed on despite criticisms both external and internal. He kept failing but also kept trying, and his resilience was finally rewarded.
Love Woods or hate him, there’s something to be said about a conviction that strong.
As for what sports history will say about Sept. 23, 2018, it’s hard to say. It could be the rebirth of Woods’ already legendary career, or it could fizzle out and be the last time Woods is ever a winner.
However, I do know that sports are most interesting when there’s a thrilling comeback story to follow, and the game of golf is at it’s best when Woods is playing at his peak.