No Achilles problems with Tiger woods

What a difference eight days made. When last we had Woods over a golf course, on March 11 at Doral, he needed a cart to make it on the car park, he slipped in a black Mercedes, he cracked open the window anf the husband gave a PGA Tour official a two-word answer: left leg. Later, in a statement released by his camp, he clarified: left Achilles.

Oh, that left Achilles. Exactly the same left Achilles that Tiger injured through the third round from the 2011 Masters. Exactly the same left Achilles that forced him to miss two majors last season.

Predictably, the response two  Mizuno JPX-800 Irons Sundays ago ranged in the absurd (He or she is out for the season!) for the understated (It's just a precaution!). A day after the WD, Tiger tweeted that they received good news through the doctor, who's was only a mild strain, and said although have the ability to hit balls later inside the week. He did on Friday, and pronounced himself fit to carry on his 2012 season. Rarely it is possible to dull week with Tiger.

Woods keeled over and had a fantastic laugh, as did the few hundred fans huddled across the first tee. 10 minutes later, after having a perfect drive and a razor-sharp iron shot, he tapped in from 2 feet on an opening birdie. Cancel the career obituary.

It's dangerous to overanalyze an exhibit round. The score he and partner Justin Rose shot in the best-ball format (9-under 63, with Woods making six birdies by himself ball) is insignificant. The very best players in the world should make birdies if the pressure is minimal, the stakes low.

But don't underestimate might know about saw from Woods on Monday. He wore the identical natural-motion Nike shoes which he had pre-Achilles scare. He walked with no limp. He never flinched Taylormade R11 fairway wood at impact, never grimaced after having a tee shot. He looked, well, normal -- that's regarding the best thing you can say in this, his final week of competition before the Masters.

I did the smart thing and the prudent thing this time, not performing through it, Woods said afterward. Hence, I'm back here as fast as I am.

It's important to remember this became only Day 1 of seven consecutive events of competition. Starting Thursday, he will play the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, a celebration he's won six times. Woods looked fine on Monday, but exactly how will his brittle body discount golf clubs be supporting on Saturday, or on Sunday? Could he feel his Achilles then?

The belief that he's even trying to play this week answers that question, resoundingly. You don't risk injury using the Masters now a couple weeks away.