TIGER WOODS WINS ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

By mustang6560 on 3/26/12

What does pure joy feel like?

Winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational to end a two and a half year drought on the PGA Tour, to silence the critics and to restore order in the world of golf. That my friends, is exactly how Tiger Woods felt yesterday after his final putt dropped to lock up a five stroke victory.

It does feel good," he said, moments after his 2-under 70 gave him a 13-under total of 275 that was five strokes better than Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, who closed with a 74. "It feels really good. It's been a lot of hard work. I'm so thankful for a lot of people helping me out along the way. They all know who they are. It's been tough.

"It was just pure joy."

I’m not the biggest Tiger fan in the world, however, I was happy to see the former world number one win again. He played well all week and earned the victory one shot at a time. I was a little disappointed with his victory celebration. I wanted to see the patented Tiger fist-pump. Nothing screams “I whooped your butt” quite like a Tiger fist-pump. Instead, Tiger’s reaction was one of relief rather than excitement, which is understandable. The last few years have been tough on him (with his very public sex scandal, divorce, new coach, new swing, new caddie and injury problems) so I can only imagine how he feels.

I was excited about the Masters before the conclusion of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and I am even more excited now. The Shell Houston Open is this weekend, but everyone outside of Ernie Els is already looking ahead one week to Augusta National. Who will win the coveted green jacket? Will Rory McIlroy redeem himself from last year? Or will Tiger end his major drought and capture his fifth green jacket? What about three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson?

PGATour.com posted a litany of stats from Tiger’s win. My favorite is “There have been 72 different winners on the PGA TOUR since Woods last won; Sunday he won for the 72nd time in his career.” Coincidence? You tell me.

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