'Tigermania' roars into France as Ryder Cup showdown looms
"Tigermania" is back after crowds mobbed Tiger Woods like a rock star to see him snap a five-year win drought, and it's about to hit France in a major way at the 42nd Ryder Cup.
Like the Beatles in America in 1964 or Michael Jordan and the US basketball team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Woods will be the star attraction this week at Le Golf National.
The 14-time major champion, back on top form after spinal fusion surgery, leads holders the United States against Europe starting Friday, the Americans seeking their first victory on European soil in 25 years.
"The comeback is for real and it's nice for him to prove that to the world," Britain's second-ranked Justin Rose said. "The weekend is a pretty good introduction into the Ryder Cup for sure."
Woods won the Tour Championship on Sunday at East Lake for his 80th career US PGA Tour title, two shy of Sam Snead's all-time record, and his first victory in 1,876 days, an emotional triumph highlighted by a spectator stampede surrounding a police-protected Woods in a rush to see him on the 18th green.
Fans chanted "Ti-ger, Ti-ger" and "U-S-A, U-S-A" and Woods fought back tears before making the final putt to become a champion once again after once fearing he might never play again.
"I was having a hard time not crying on the last hole," Woods said, his voice choking at times. "I just can't believe I pulled this off.
"It hasn't been so easy the last couple of years. It's hard to believe I was able to do it again."
Nagging back injuries led to four operations since 2014, including a "last chance" spinal fusion that has helped him to regain the form of glory days at age 42.
"It's certainly up there with obviously all the major championships I've won," Woods said. "I just didn't know whether this would ever happen again. It means a lot. It really does.
"Eighty is a big number. I've been sitting on 79 for about five years now, and to get 80 is a pretty damned good feeling."