Just chomp it like Tiger

One of the craziest spectacles you are about to witness on golf courses around the word is that of old men and women chewing gum on the fairways as they race to emulate the success of the greatest golfers to have played the game, Tiger Woods.

He chewed gum for all of the four rounds that culminated in his historic victory at the Masters last weekend.

In one of the many interviews we have seen recently, Tiger tries to explain, I think, that he chews gum to avoid eating too much while playing. As one does, when one gets hungry during a round of golf. Right?

Pull the other one, Eldrick.

That gum is laced with a winner’s potion. And whoever manufactures that gum is about to become very, very rich. Imagine a chewing gum called Tiger Gum? No, that sounds obscene to baby boomers. Let’s just call it Tiger Chewing Gum or TCG.

A marketer’s dream. Gum that builds a golf swing and leads to a state of placidity.

Of course, Phil Mickelson, who also noshed his way through the fairways – and the rough – might have a different take, as he did not win the green jacket last weekend.

Maybe he needs to have a word with Woods to get him to whisper in his ear the secret ingredients in the TCG.

Talk about confounding the naysayers. Until last weekend many who will most definitely now be hiding in their bunkers, had condemned Tiger to the scrap heap, declaring on public platforms that he would not win another golfing tournament, let alone a major.

Granted, the last time he won one was in 2008, two years after his father died.

During that period he struggled with injuries and some serious personal demons. Those who dared declared him a perennial loser, including some comments which taunted him to release a press statement thick with his final epitaph, announcing his exit from the sport he loves so much.

Two years ago the golf fans’ redeemer re-emerged. Strapped around the neck with those “things” that make sturdy athletes look menacing. The phenomenon was back.

The world of business pursed its lips. According to Nielsen ratings, television viewership of golf increased by 93% in the first four events in which Tiger was playing and the Bridgestone golf ball sales have soared by 115% since his return.

When Tiger plays, ticket sales soar, television viewership figures increase and merchandise sales go through the roof. Indeed, Nike’s share price grew by 1% the day after Woods won his 15th major.

Before I can be accused of bias, let me confess, and place on record, that Tiger is no saint.

He is a big sinner to his fans. Correction, they are not fans. They are disciples.

How else do you explain the reason they give him get-out-of-jail cards long before he commits his first sin?

For example, before the incredulous win last Sunday, Tiger had committed the cardinal sin in his last game at the World Golf Championships (WGC), succumbing to the temptation of losing to a Danish youngster called Lucas Bjerregaard, shattering, in the process, millions of hearts.

The defeat was even more wretched because earlier in the day he had defeated Rory McIlroy and sent hopes throughout the world that he would win this tournament.

Yet the silent prayers among the faithful disciples after that dreaded game ricocheted and could be heard across the globe.

The excuse that playing 36 holes in one day might have taken its toll on his “fragile” back became the hymn sheet, determining in the process, the universal hope that he would bounce back.

At The Masters. nogal. Talk about faith.

Brother, make no mistake about it; there was deep sorrow after that defeat at the WGC. Name-calling on WhatsApp groups. Expletives, too.

But the forgiveness psychological vouchers were placed on “enter” soon after the defeat. We move on when it comes to Tiger. We forgive him.

And when the villainous hero stood on the first tee at the Masters, the universal prayers stood right there next to him and willed his first shot into the heavens.

Tiger chose a three wood, took a couple of practice swings and finally struck the ball with ease and grace.

The universal prayers carried the ball down the middle of the fairway. Those who were at the Augusta National clapped and shouted: “Great shot, Tiger”.

He acknowledged the applause with a nod. The disciples watching TV around the world smiled on the inside. Their prayers had been answered. Universal hope had willed the ball in the right direction. Game on.

And he did not disappoint after that first shot. In fact, when the day finished and Tiger was two under par, the faithful all said: “He’s in with a big chance.”

This despite that he was four shots behind other leaders who had finished six under. And one of those was none other than the big swinging Brooks Koepka who has three majors to his name.

But the faithful said this is the Masters and Koepka had not won the green jacket. Tiger himself helped the faithful get even more encouraged when he uttered the famous line: “I have a library of this course in my head.” To which the faithful must have said: “And we have studied all the books in that library to help you meander your way through the slopes and magnolias of Augusta.”

One of my friends sent a message from Augusta on day two, saying that he was happy to be witnessing history. This was day two, and he was already witnessing history. But we were all feeling it. I even posted a message to our group that Tiger knew his way around the course and was really managing the risk very well. Talking like this was a bank making sure it does not lend recklessly. Such is the power of Tiger and the aura that he commands.

Francesco Molinari, the leader by two shots playing in Tiger’s group on Sunday, seemed as if he was shatterproof until the pressure of the roars from the disciples finally got to him when he entered the second hole of the feared Amen Corner at Augusta.

The reliable and seemingly unflappable Molinari dumped his ball into the water on the par three 12th.

The “Ohs” that accompanied this uncharacteristic act from Molinari reverberated throughout the course. Everyone knew that Tiger was ready to pounce. And pounce he did.

This was made even sweeter when the other two contenders ahead of him, Koepka and Ian Poulter, had also joined the swimming club just prior to Molinari.

Tiger took advantage of these fellow players’ mistakes and went on to win this his 15th major.

The faithful continue to believe that Tiger will eclipse Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major haul. They will not enter into a debate with anyone. Tiger himself is gunning for this record, but is very guarded talking about it.

But universal prayers and hope seem to be keeping Tiger roaring and motivated.

The crowd loves him. He makes them happy. He makes them sad. Forsake him they will not.

Most importantly, he keeps the sport relevant. And the tills continue to ring.

It must be the TCG.

Just chomp it.