Woods has posted back-to-back top 5 finishes, bolstering interest in the sport GETTY IMAGES
The PGA Tour is "bubbling with scintillating storylines" with The Masters just two weeks away, according to Mark Cannizzaro of the N.Y. POST. Tiger Woods is "seemingly back" after recording his second straight top 5 finish yesterday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and Rory McIlroy's win at Bay Hill "could propel him to win the Masters for the first time and complete a rare career Grand Slam." Three-time Masters champ Phil Mickelson is "overflowing with confidence" after winning the WGC-Mexico Championship two weeks ago -- marking his first victory since the '13 Open Championship. Meanwhile, players like Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day are all commanding attention. Cannizzaro: "Golf is on fire. Tiger Woods poured gasoline on the sport and lit the match" (N.Y. POST, 3/19). In DC, Barry Svrluga writes Woods' performance during the last two weeks -- he tied for second last week at the Valspar Championship -- "instantly overrides whatever any other character in this game can generate." Golf is "in a better place than when March started," in part due to the wins by McIlroy and Mickelson. Svrluga: "More important than any of that, Tiger Woods is playing the role of Tiger Woods. ... These two weeks have changed the way the Masters might feel. It can't get here fast enough" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/19).
THE BUZZ IS BACK: NBC's Jim Mackay said it is "great" to have Woods back and in contention at tournaments. He said, "Everybody is so excited. It does so much for the game, so much for the excitement. I just think golf's in the best place it's been in for years and years, with not only Tiger and what he’s doing but having Rory right back in the mix." He added, "It's crazy how good golf is right now” ("Goilc & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 3/19). ESPN's Trey Wingo tweeted, "Phil has won, Tiger appears on the verge and Rory takes Bay Hill. Reminder Mcilroy is a green jacket away from being the 6th to win the Grand Slam. Masters is gonna be 🔥🔥🔥." London Times' David Walsh: "Watching Tiger Woods in genuine contention on the back nine at Bay Hill is a joy to behold and an important moment for the game" (TWITTER.com, 3/19). In Tulsa, Guerin Emig writes, "Tiger is teasing us, isn't he. We're so close to falling in love with golf again, like it's 1997 or something" (TULSA WORLD, 3/19).
TOO DEPENDENT ON TIGER? NBC Sports Bay Area’s Ray Ratto said the fact that the PGA Tour is "so desperate" to have Woods back "screams to me they had a seven-year window to develop other stars and they completely failed." Ratto: "There is a difference between being a good golfer -- which Jordan Spieth is, and there are about 20 other truly great golfers in that genre. But nobody has electrified anybody." The S.F. Chronicle's Ann Killion: "The whole golf industry is built up thanks to Tiger Woods, so they need their savior to come back. Without him, nothing's been happening” (“The Happy Hour,” NBC Sports Bay Area, 3/16). ESPN's Jeremy Schaap said, "Most people just need Tiger. They're just interested in Tiger. He has always been the guy who has lifted all boats. His impact on the sport is undeniable on ratings." ESPN's Kate Fagan: "I do care more about golf now that Tiger is back, but I don't think it makes me care more about golf going forward. I'm not more invested in the PGA Tour or more committed to watching golf. I'm simply paying attention to Tiger" ("OTL," ESPN, 3/16).
STRONG LEMONADE & ICED TEA: NBC yesterday drew a 3.6 overnight rating for the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, marking the event's best Sunday figure since '12, when Woods' win led to a 4.8 overnight. That '12 event was the first Tour win for Woods since he took a break following his sex scandal. Woods won in '13 as well, but the final round of that event was pushed to Monday on Golf Channel due to weather. The 3.6 figure is up 140% from a 1.5 last year, when Marc Leishman won by a stroke over Kevin Kisner and Charley Hoffman. The best figure for the Bay Hill event since Woods' win in '12 was a 2.1 overnight (in both '15 and '16) (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
