Pros advice

First we predicted he would make it into the US Ryder Cup team. Now we say it's no longer a question of if, but when Tiger wins major No. 15. But for an errant couple of shots – when his round derailed at the 11th at Carnoustie and finally stalled at the 17th at Bellerive, Woods really could have won both The Open and the PGA.

Let’s put that in perspective. Not even a year ago, he sat in a press conference before the start of the Presidents Cup and admitted he might never play competitively again. The back that had been so shredded, so scarred by surgery after surgery, couldn’t even bear a ride in a golf buggy. The road back looked so long.

Yet in the heat of battle, and the humidity of St Louis, it was the Tiger of old – a Tiger that intimidated, a Tiger that produced when the pressure was at its highest, a Tiger that will soon know what it feels like to win again.

Suddenly it seems unbelievable to remember that it has been 10 years since he last hoisted one of the four trophies that really matter. Even after Carnoustie, though, even after a season that has seen him soar from the depths of obscurity back into the world’s top 30, there have been doubters.

Brooks Koepka won the PGA, and deservedly so. His elevation as a man for the major occasion is complete. But this was a tournament that had still been destined to be forgettable, that had been blunted by stifling heat, indifferent greens and a worldwide audience carping about the coverage.

Yet Tiger produced a thrilling climax and has regained belief in the process. He knows he can produce when it matters most. His 64 was his lowest ever final round in a major. His total of 266 was the lowest in any major he has ever played. He’d started bogey, double bogey.

So let us rejoice. Golf is the better for him being back in the game. But it’s even bigger for him being near the top of the leaderboards.