Thursday 3 December 2015 16:56, UK
Robert Lee reflects on the news that Tiger Woods has no idea when - or if - he will be fit enough to return to competitive golf. And even if he can overcome his back problems, can he compete with the new generation at the top of the game?
It might be December, but we're looking forward to another busy week of golf with two European Tour events and one on the PGA Tour all being brought to you by Sky Sports.
However, the big talking point ahead of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas has been provided by the tournament host, Tiger Woods. At his press conference on Tuesday, it quickly became apparent that it might not be a case of "when" he returns to golf, but "if".
His body has been breaking down for some time. He had several knee operations and he's had serious problems with his back over the last couple of years. He had back surgery in March 2014, and you could argue that he came back too early after that. Tiger returned just over three months later at Congressional and he really struggled.
Compare that to Graham DeLaet, who had pretty much the same operation in 2011 and it took him the best part of a year to return.
Judging by what he said at Albany, Tiger's doctors must be very vague about his immediate future. I'm sure he still has the desire to achieve so much more in the game. But he gave a big clue when he said: "I've had a pretty good career in my 20s and 30s. If that's all it entails then I've had a good run." To me, that sounded like Tiger was preparing for the prospect of not being able to compete again.
There have been a number of players down the years who have done remarkable things after turning 40. But if Tiger, who turns 40 later this month, has to hang up his spikes, that's very early. He's certainly got a lot going on and he has plenty of issues to face up to.
Health the first priority
It will be so tough for him to come back, find a new coach and repair his game if his body won't let him do it. That's the first thing he needs to think about, just getting healthy. I assumed he would be out for six-to-eight months before giving it another go, but even that is looking doubtful right now.
There have been suggestions that his many swing changes have contributed to his injury problems, and the way he was swinging it last year didn't appear to be doing his back any favours at all. He lost his height, and his lower back looked to be pinching on the way down.
Tiger claimed his swing under Butch Harmon put too much stress on his knee, and there was more moving parts and less torque in his swing when he went to Hank Haney. Then he hired Sean Foley, and it looked such an effort for him to hit the ball. Tiger was working extra hard not just with his hands, but with his body as well.
But it's all conjecture, and it remains to be seen whether he can recover from this, both physically and mentally. If he does make it back, he'll doubtless be wary of aggravating his injuries. It takes a long time to get that out of your mind and get to a point where you can play golf without thinking about getting hurt.
He would also be coming back to a very different environment in the golfing world. We have some seriously good players at the top of the game right now, and the likes of Spieth, McIlroy and Day show no signs of going backwards. Tiger was the only show in town for a very long time, but that's not happening any more.
Changing of the guard
We've had an unbelievable year of golf and it has been great entertainment, but Tiger has barely been involved. There has been a changing of the guard, and everyone is now talking about the new "Big Three" of Spieth, McIlroy and Day.
There are several other emerging young talents in Europe and America, and to be honest, there are not many people saying that Tiger has been missed. Of course, there will be a period of reflection when he does call it a day and rightly so - he's the most amazing player I've ever seen.
Some of Tiger's biggest fans expect him to return to full fitness and get his game back to a level where he can take on the likes of Spieth and McIlroy, but I just cannot see that happening. I think that time has well and truly passed.
Tiger had an incredible run where he won 14 majors in 12 years but he has not won a major since 2008 and that's his yardstick. He had knee surgery after winning the US Open on one leg, and he just hasn't been the same since.
His legacy to the game is not in doubt, but as a player? Tiger won't want to turn up and play ceremonially. If he doesn't stand a chance of winning, or at least contending, then he's better off out of it. That sort of thing can be left to John Daly, who rolls up in loud trousers and it's seen as a great week if he makes the cut.
I will miss the player Tiger used to be, but will I miss him now when I'm watching Rory? Or Spieth? Or Day, or Dustin Johnson? Probably not.
No joy for Charl?
Heading back to the European Tour, we saw Charl Schwartzel begin the season in familiar style with victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship. Since he won the Masters, the only place he has won anywhere in the world is Leopard Creek, and he's done that three times in four years now.
After a lean and disappointing year, he got across the line on Sunday and talked about how this win could be a springboard for more to come, but the last two wins there didn't have that effect. Is this one any different? Time will tell.
I think he's got to change what he does, particularly in terms of his demeanour on the course. Everything seems to be such an effort for him, and he doesn't give the impression he is getting any joy out of his golf. I asked him about this a couple of times during the European Tour podcast on Monday, and he said he's aware of it and working on it, but basically he was very non-committal.
I see the same thing in Sergio Garcia. The young Sergio was a joy to watch, bouncing down the fairways with that mischievous look on his face, but those images are a distant memory now. Charl and Sergio just don't look like there getting anyting out of what they do, and you have to be able to pat yourself on the back when you're achieving things. There's no joy about them on the golf course.
Erase negative thoughts
Charl has to fix that. He's an amazing talent and he's only 31, and he's got to change and smell the flowers along the way if he wants to push on. He's got to find some satisfaction from his golf and eradicate the negative thoughts. He's got a great all-round game, but his mental attitude is holding him back.
This week we're off to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, featuring a great field and a great golf course - the Gary Player Country Club really takes some playing. Danny Willett had a superb weekend last year to win it, and pretty much any of the 30 players there this week have a genuine chance.
It's a great place to go just before Christmas. Andy Sullivan is going down there for the first tiume and it's a tough ask to win there on your debut. Andy almost won his fourth title of the year in Dubai and he's had a fantastic year. He's the polar opposite of Charl Schwartzel, Andy is a player who clearly finds the joy in his game and has no problem displaying it on the course. He has been a breath of fresh air this year.
Can Charl win back-to-back weeks? Well, he told me on Monday that he felt the course didn't fit his eye. He likes to fade the ball, when a right-to-left ball flight can come in handy around there.
But he won ugly last weekend, and that's hard to do. He was fighting with himself, and struggled tee to green. But he got the job done and you have to commend him for that. If he can find the form he showed on the first two days at Leopard Creek, he'll be right up there.
Robert's Sky Bet tips:
Nedbank - Branden Grace: He was driving it well last week and that's essential in Sun City. He didn't have the week he wanted at Leopard Creek, but he played well in Dubai and he'll love this course.
Australian PGA - Nick Cullen: He played well at the Australian Open and earned one of the three qualifying places for next year's Open Championship. He's in form and looks great value in a mediocre field.
