The Man lost it this time.. but it won't be long before he strikes back

The Man lost it this time..

That's right, the Man, being so invincible all this while when he was holding a lead going Sunday, faltered this time around. A figure so intimidating off the tee Sunday, especially when he teed off in the final group, especially when he was holding an outright lead, or at least a share of the lead, but last Sunday, the script was completely twisted and overturned by a native South Korean ranked 110th in the world, a player who took up the game only at the age of 19 and best part was, the latter was forced to take up the game after he figured out that golf was the only sport which he reckon can be performed without further aggravating his leg injury where he torn a muscle while trying to become a body-builder 18-20 years ago.

The Man was human after all. On a breezy Minneapolis day, the Tiger mystique was shattered. But that was not the point that we should have discussed, I mean, losing and winning is part and parcel of the game, any game for that matter, lose a game doesn't make you a choker same as winning a tournament doesn't make you a legend. It all came down to your own perception and assessment, how fast can you sink the frustration of being the 2nd best when the whole world expect you to hold the Wanamaker for the 5th time and how fast can you stabilize yourself and being competitive again for the next challenge. That for me, is worth talking than talking about how the Man lost it Sunday rather than the South Korean winning it Sunday.

The Man will bounce, no doubt about that, one can only be fooled if one thought that the Man has lost the edge, the mojo of intimidation, an aura of invincibility (hey, the Man is human after all, not a bloody angel), we don't have to go far back than 4 weeks ago, when the Man missed the cut at the Major (Turnberry anyone?) for just the 2nd time of his illustrious career, he came back and made a statement, a rather strong statement in deed. Back to back tour victories in Michigan (Buick) and Ohio (WGC-Bridgestone) just completely shut the hell out of the critics, and why don't we go far back as in 2007, a missed cut in Winged Foot, followed by a 2nd place at the Western Open, then you go figure, 7 straight victories which include a PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

The point that I was trying to make is, don't shut the Man of his ambitious pursuit of equalling and beating the Bear's record of 18 grand slams, even the most vicious Tiger critics acknowledged that given time, the Man will surely strikes back, and this time, he'll come back with a vengeance.

See you in Shanghai from 5th to 8th November for the WGC-HSBC Championship, and watch out for the Man..