Tiger shows his teeth, but not in the smiley sort of way. Martin Vousden on the Honda.

Thought for the Day:
If you lend someone £20 and never see them again, it was probably a wise investment

Something stirs
Whenever we look forward to a dramatic season in which the world’s best will slug it out against each other, particularly in the majors, we are invariably left disappointed. So it is with a certain sense of resigned fatalism that I nevertheless wonder if 2012 could be one of those rare, stellar years that will not only bring excitement and drama for the moment, but establish the template for several years to come.

Rory McIlroy has just won the Honda Classic and in the process become the world ranked number one player – and it wasn’t unexpected. So far in Europe he has played six events, only once finished outside the top-10 (and that was 11th), won once and been runner-up twice. Right now his average game will see him in contention and if he plays to his potential, he wins. He currently heads the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and is fourth in the US Tour’s FedEx Cup rankings, after only two events in America.

But to add a little more spice to that already sumptuous menu, in that Honda Classic he was chased hard by joint runner-up Tiger Woods, who fired a best-of-the week 62 on the last day, his lowest round for three years and one which lifted him from 17th place overnight. Almost as impressive was the 63 from Lee Westwood, that vaulted him into fourth. And sitting at home, no doubt watching with interest, was Phil Mickelson, whose last two events have produced a win and a second place. Rarely have we seen so many of the world’s best golfers playing to such an exalted level at the same time. All we need to put the final garnish on top is for Luke Donald to wake from his temporary slumber and mix it with the guys who are doing their best to push him even further down the world rankings.

Tiger’s travails
The one sour moment of watching the Honda Classic is that, throughout his superb last round, which included two eagles, four birdies and, just as importantly for him, no dropped shots, Tiger Woods didn’t smile once. We saw the familiar fist pump but most of the time he looked about as happy as a banker who has just been told he won’t be getting a bonus this year. It follows on from a mean-spirited and truculent performance at a press conference a week ago when he was asked how he felt about revelations in a book written by his former coach, Hank Haney. Responding to a question he said: ‘I’ve already discussed everything,’ when in fact he had done the exact opposite and refused to talk about the issue at all. And when a reporter pressed him he said, his voice dripping with contempt and sarcasm: ‘You’re a beauty, you know that?’ Have a good day.’

No-one likes to see a great champion struggle to recapture former glory, and there is no doubt that Woods has endured a ghastly two years. But he needs to remember that his problems have been self-inflicted and are the responsibility of no-one but himself. Moreover, long before his private life was held up to the sort of scrutiny that would test anyone’s resolve, he often played like a champion but rarely showed himself capable of the demeanour of one, ignoring the example set by people such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and above them all, Bobby Jones.
Tiger Woods in his pomp and playing at his best is a rare and magnificent sight but he is making it ever more difficult to take any pleasure in his triumphs.

The misery continues
Speaking of sour-faced multi-millionaires who demean rather than enhance their profession, let us consider Ian Poulter. This usually ruthless matchplay competitor was dumped out of the Accenture Match Play Championship in the first round, beaten by Sang-Moon Bae by the not inconsiderable margin of 4&3. As a consequence, TV commentator Bruce Critchley made the not unreasonable suggestion that perhaps Poulter had a few too many off-course distractions – he has his own clothing company which he publicises at every available opportunity and has devoted a great deal of time to the building and furnishing of a new mansion in Florida. Ian’s response had all the restraint, manners and rationality we have come to expect from this egotistical peacock.

He Tweeted: ‘I would love some of our commentators to do a day in my shoes with family, gym and practice sessions. They haven’t got a F&@ “£% clue how hard we work. They sit on there (sic) ass talking crap. That’s really difficult. Well Bruce Chritchley (sic) talks complete ****** most of the time anyway. Sorry sky sports (sic) viewers for having to listen to his c**p every week.’
If I had the choice of listening to Critchley or being exposed to Poulter’s foul outpourings I know which I would choose.

Oh God, no.
The FedEx Cup, the four event ‘finale’ to the US Tour season is to continue until at least 2017 after the title sponsor announced a five-year extension deal. US Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said of the disastrous quartet of events, which no-one understands: ‘It has had the effect of pulling our season together. We’re going to try to make some adjustments in the next couple of years to do that with the FedEx Cup in a more impactful way.’
The man should be shot; if not for continuing with a disastrous idea then for crimes against the English language.

Quote of the Week:
One minute it’s fear and loathing, but hit a couple of good shots and you’re on top of the world. I’ve gone crazy over this game.
Jack Nicholson