Tigers return

Just days away from the first of four major's, the golfing world descends upon Augusta as it usual does this time of year for the masters. The famous green jacket is up for grabs again in what can only be described as one of sports truest levelling tournaments. Being tagged an under dog or book makers favourite really has little affect at Augusta as previous years winners will show being world number one going into the tournament has very little impact.

Of course the current world number 1 is Tiger Woods, its been a long time since he was world number 1 but he is back to the top of the game and what he needs most is a major to crown his return. If I would have asked you 5 years ago what would all the talk be going into the 2013 masters surrounding Tiger Woods. You might have said something like is he going to break Jack Nicholson record of most majors won. Instead and perhaps unfortunately it is can Tiger win his first major since 2007 and his first since returning to the sport.

Prior to 2009 when his martial infidelities came to light I thought of him as one of the greatest sportsman to have ever lived regardless of era or sport. I thought of him as a role model both on and off the course and one of the most positive influences on any sport. He changed the culture of golf breaking down racial barriers which had restricted black African American golfers particularly in the USA. I thought it was just a matter of time until he became the most successful golfer of all time.

He still could become the most successful after all he is currently ranked the best golfer in the world and is only 4 major titles away from Jack Nicholson's record. However remarkable Tiger plays and what ever tournaments he wins his legacy will always be tarnished. He could have been the greatest sportsmen of all time linked with names like Mohammed Ali and Michael Jordan. I think Tiger can be put alongside names like mentioned for the excellences he has displayed on a golf course. At times when watching Tiger he is able to making shots that no one else can or likely will, can consistently play at a level no one can keep up with and just make the difficult look easy.

Before 2009 and when we learnt more about his private life I had him alongside or even above those names for the things he did away from the sport. Like the cultural barriers I have mentioned he broke down, giving new life to a sport that was becoming unpopular and dated and most importantly being a true positive role model. These accomplishments do not just vanish, he will always be known for these things he did away from the course but he is scared by the negative things as well.

While Tiger can never take back what has happened and as I mentioned his legacy will always be scared, I'm a romantic and like most have a soft spot for seeing sport played at its best. No one in the world has ever been able to or will this week match Tiger if he is playing at his best. That's why I will be supporting Tiger this week and I hope he can return to the excellence he has portrayed on the golf course in the past. After all this will help even the harsh critic forget all the negatives.