Tiger shows positive signs @ Ryder Cup

For too long, the Ryder Cup was the only blemish on Tiger Woods' resume.

Now it may be what helps turn around the second chapter of his career.

Just seeing the joy on Woods' face when he learned he had jarred his approach shot on the 12th hole said it all -- when was the last time we saw Tiger smile like this? Not his usual expression in his previous five Ryder Cups, to be sure.

"I won't be needing this," Woods said with a laugh, as he tossed his putter back to caddie Steve Williams when the eagle had been confirmed.

Woods wouldn't need but 15 holes to close out his 4-and-3 victory over Francesco Molinari, rallying from an early two-hole deficit to pull away by winning four consecutive holes on the back nine. It closed out an impressive 3-1 showing for Woods -- amazingly, his first winning week in his sixth Ryder Cup -- to improve his overall Ryder record to 13-14-2.

"I played well today," Woods told the New York Daily News. "It was nice to turn my match around like I did. I've been close to playing that way for a little bit now but I'm really looking forward to the rest of the year."

While Woods' heroics weren't enough to prevent the Europeans from pulling off a pulsating 14.5 to 13.5 victory over the Americans at Celtic Manor in Wales, Woods performance -- and his demeanor -- may set the stage for Woods to do what only he can do: Top his first 14 years as a professional, when he won 14 majors and 71 PGA TOUR events.

Coming off his first winless season ever on the PGA TOUR and all the negative publicity regarding his marital infidelities scandal, Woods actually needed this Ryder Cup more than ever. That's why he convinced U.S. captain Corey Pavin to make him one of four wild-card selections after a season in which Woods had only two top-10 finishes (fourths at the Masters and U.S. Open).

It has often be said and written -- and with some justification -- that Woods used to approach previous Ryder Cups like someone would a trip to the dentist for a root canal. Playing on a team sport, with all the off-the-course events that he doesn't enjoy, went against all of Woods' singularly-driven motives. And there were times when he seemed to go through the motions.

But not this year.

Woods showed his commitment with lengthy practice sessions with new instructor Sean Foley last week while he missed THE TOUR Championship for the first time in his career.

Woods arrived in Wales excited and motivated to play well and get engrossed in the team atmosphere. With his divorce from Elin finalized just a month ago, Woods needed the camaraderie of his teammates like never before.

Woods parlayed that motivation into consecutive wins with partner Steve Stricker -- they were 4-0 at last year's President's Cup -- to start the Ryder Cup. Even when Woods was handed his worst loss ever in their third match, he showed a new side when he helped Stricker line up a putt from five different angles on the ninth green as darkness fell Saturday night. Never mind the team was losing five-up after eight holes.

"Tiger is into the Ryder Cup like I've never seen before," said NBC announcer Johnny Miller, who has never missed a chance to criticize Woods' previous nonchalant attitude in the Ryder Cup. "You really have to hand it to him, the way he's into these matches."

Woods' swing change is still a work in progress. But his play Monday, when he was 8 under after 13 holes, reminded everyone of the player who has been No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings for the last 278 weeks.

Woods may very well lose that ranking soon -- he leads new No. 2 Lee Westwood by just .33 points -- but that may be more likely due to Woods' abbreviated schedule the rest of this year. Woods will play just three more times: The World Golf Championship--HSBC Champions in Shanghai in early-November; the JBWere Masters in Australia the following week and then his Chevron World Challenge in early December.

There's little doubt that Woods is more excited about his game now than he was flying on the team charter to Wales last Sunday. And he's got to be more excited about his life, as well, after a week of bonding and competing with his good buddies.

He'll have almost four months to work on rebuilding his swing and his personal life before he emerges on the PGA TOUR, likely in February at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. That likely includes a move to Jupiter Island.

Woods' comeback isn't complete, but it took a giant leap forward at the Ryder Cup.

Imagine that.

-PGATOUR.COM