Tiger's Triumph and the Narrative Quality of Sports

I always enjoy watching the Masters. There is something magical about the combination of strategy, athletic prowess, and a beautiful setting. I was busy Saturday and was unable to watch most of "moving day." When I checked the leaderboard that night, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Tiger was two shots back of the lead and in the final group.

I then learned that he would be teeing off at 6:30 am Pacific Time. It was already past midnight, but I quickly set an alarm to ensure that I would not miss the chance to watch Tiger. I hoped that I would not be disappointed and regret waking up early.

What followed Sunday morning was breathtaking. I held my breath as Tiger continued to hit great shot after great shot. Still, it was not until the 15th hole that he finally took the lead. It seemed like something out of a movie when he sunk the putt on the eighteenth green to secure his fifth green jacket and his first major championship since 2008. 

After sinking the winning putt, Tiger celebrated as the crowd chanted, "Ti-ger! Ti-ger! Ti-ger!" He embraced his family as the chants continued. He walked toward the clubhouse to claim his title and the crowds surged, each fan hoping to be one of the few to exchange a high-five with him. His competitors congratulated him with enthusiasm as he neared the end of his walk. It was evident that everyone wanted to be near Tiger in his return to glory. That is why I set my alarm for 6:15. I longed to witness and be a part of this great American story. 

I was captivated by the emotion he displayed after winning, and I immediately got the chills. I began to reflect on how much time I spend watching sports. Sunday was one of the days that makes that commitment worth it. 

There is a narrative quality to sports that always draws me in. I love stories, and sports offers an endless stream of comedies, tragedies, and feel-good narratives. 

We watch sports to satisfy our craving for good stories. Sports games, seasons, and careers have clear beginnings and ends. We can follow the ups and downs and debate them with our friends. Sports cause us to analyze decisions and reflect on their results. We make character judgements based on how athletes handle pressure, adversity, and success. For dedicated sports fans, the narratives we witness influence our perspectives on the human condition. 

Whatever one thinks of Tiger and his life choices, it is hard not to celebrate a great man rediscovering his greatness. We all want to believe that people can overcome adversity and succeed despite bad decisions and overwhelming misfortune. 

Tiger's triumph is the latest example of how sports can remind us of the capabilities of mankind. It will be fascinating to see if this highlight will be followed by another chapter of dominance from Tiger. Despite having my doubts given his age and the quality of his competition, I will be watching. Although success may be improbable, I have no doubt that I will be captivated by whatever story unfolds. That is why I will not hesitate to set my alarm for 6:15 the next time a narrative is in the making.

What sports narratives have impacted your perceptions of what we are capable of?