Is Tiger Back?

    When Tiger chipped in from the rough at 16 for a birdie yesterday, I'm sure almost every sports fan got goose bumps watching the red and black clad Woods fist pump and yell in celebration (2012 Chip in).  I'm also sure that these same sports fans reminisced back to Woods' chip in at the 16th at Augusta in 2005 in the same red and black and celebrated with the same fist pump (2005 Chip in).  Though these two shots were very similar (almost identical), the man who hit them is not near as similar.
     In 2005, Tiger Woods was number one in the world, and seemed like he was playing at a whole other level compared to the rest of the field.  He hit the ball longer, putted better, and if he had the lead on Saturday night, he won.  Plain and simple, he was the best golfer in the world, and it really wasn't even close.  In 2012, Tiger Woods is ranked 4th in the world, propelled upwards by his latest win.  He's won two events (The Memorial on Sunday and The Arnold Palmer in March-Jack's and Arnold's tourneys respectively), but has also missed a cut, withdrawn from a tournament, and finished 40th in the years only major so far (The Masters) and in the "Other Major" (The Players).
     At times this year, Tiger has looked brilliant.  He's been just as dominant as he was before he wrecked his Cadillac at his Florida home, before he was exposed.  His putter has worked, he's hit fairways, and, most importantly, he's got his swagger back.  But, at times, he's looked like he did for most of the last few seasons.  Not trusting his swing, not hitting fairways, and putting like Mr. Haverkamp from Caddy Shack.
     After his win Sunday, Las Vegas has put Tiger's odds to win the US Open at 6/1.  Thats 6 better than Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy (both at 12/1), and 9 better than Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood (both at 15/1).  In this coming US Open, I expect Tiger to win his first major since that November day, beating the field and getting one closer to catching Jack at 18 majors and 8 away from getting Sam Snead's record of 82 career wins.