Well that was quick: Tiger Woods, after three dismal rounds in his vaunted “comeback tour”, has withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic after posting a ghastly opening round 77 due to “back spasms”.

Yeah, right.

I posted here about the challenges Tiger would be facing coming back after his long hiatus from back surgery. Simply put, in that time the golf universe has changed beyond any kind of measure even someone of his accomplishments could ever imagine. The good golfers have multiplied in spades. They are young, fearless, hit the ball incredible distances, and have the best equipment and workout / fitness regimens in the world. And while undoubtedly they respect Tiger for everything he has brought to the game and made possible for them, they look upon him as nothing more than an artifact of days long gone by and never to be seen again.

The fact that Tiger says with a brave face that he’s preparing for Augusta and is only entering tournaments with the idea of winning is not just laughable, but pathetic. It’s all talk, designed for mainstream media ass-kissers who write as if Woods is still a force to be reckoned with. They’re just about as clueless about Woods as he himself is, afraid to admit that the object of their affection is nothing but a mere shell of the golfer and the presence he once was.

I was texting my Goodboys pal Killer last week about how Tiger looked at the Farmer’s Insurance Open. In my view he looked rusty for sure, but even more so, I didn’t like his gait as he would walk from one hole to another. He looked like someone with a stiff back – not necessarily in pain, but certainly in discomfort. The Great White Shank is all about telling the truth, whether it be politics, golf, or his own situation in any way, manner, shape, or form. Anyone who has followed this blog for the past eleven years knows no one is exempt from the truth, not even yours truly.

I said in my earlier piece that I thought Tiger was one awkward swing from retirement. For all we know, that time has come. Just don’t expect Tiger to man up and tell the truth about what he’s actually feeling and thinking. And that’s because it would require him to actually sound and seem human. Look, we all have flaws; his is being unable to reveal to those who, if not liking him, nevertheless respect him for all he has done and brought to the game of golf, the reality of his ability to play golf. If he can no longer play with the “big boys” he ought to just come out and say so.