Will Tiger win at Chevron?

I watched the very end of the Australian Masters last week and caught a glimpse of the “Old Tiger”. I have not watched every round Tiger has played this year. However, what I saw in those final few holes told me he will be ready to roar again in 2011. In fact, I would not be surprised if he ends the year with a victory at the Chevron World Challenge in early December.

So, how did I come to this realization? Well, it is my humble opinion that Tiger like every other player has streaks of brilliance that lead to victory. This entire year, except on a few occasions, he had trouble developing any kind of streak. Streaks lead to momentum which leads to victories. Last week was different. He found one of those streaks at the end of his final round.

Tiger closed the final round with a 7 under par 65. Which, by the way, included two eagles and two birdies over the final six holes. That’s the Tiger Woods who people are used to seeing. I believe it’s the Tiger Woods who we will see much more of next season. Tiger in all of his greatness still needs confidence to win just like everyone else. With streaks of golf like he displayed last week, his confidence will grow. As his confidence grows, so will his success. Athletes like Tiger do not forget how to win, as some have suggested. He just needs to remember what it feels like to play well. He needs to find his “spark” on the course.

So, if Tiger raises the trophy in victory in a couple of weeks at Chevron it would not be surprising. For a guy who is known for his dramatics on the golf course, a win at Chevron would have the golf world abuzz going into next season. Everyone will be on the lookout for Tiger again if this happens.

                                  Photographer: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images via Bloomberg