Thoughts on a day with Tiger Woods

I become a fan.

That was why I was so excited to be heading up to the Phoenix Open last weekend, not to work, but to be a fan. I wanted to enjoy the spectacular drives, the pinpoint short game and the unbeatable putting of one of the world's best golfers - a golfer that is a mere ten months older than me.

Perhaps that is what adds to the Tiger mystique. He seems like the kind of guy you'd meet at O'Malley's. He's the kind of guy you'd like to hang out with, play a round with or play basketball with.

So there we were at the Phoenix Open, waiting at the driving range for our first glimpse of the man. I have followed Tiger since high school, but have never seen him in person, hence my excitement.

At about 11:15 a.m., I noticed a large crowd surrounding the practice putting green. "Who else could that crowd be for?" I wondered.

I strolled up and there he was, knocking one-handed putts into the cup.

My traveling companions and I followed Tiger's every move on the front nine of the Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale. He wasn't playing well, but nobody seemed to care. After all, would you be disappointed if you had front row seats to a Chicago Bulls game and Michael Jordan only scored 12 points?

As Tiger and his playing partner made their way to the tee on 10, my friends and I took a break.

By the time we got back to the action, another favorite of mine, Tom Lehman, was approaching the 18th. So, I decided Tiger would be okay without me and I waited for Lehman to try and get his autograph.

Never doubt Tiger Woods. He will make you pay for such acts.

As I waited for Lehman, my friends and I heard a huge roar from off in the distance.

"That was an eagle," one said. We didn't know whose eagle it was, but it was big. A short time later, the truth began to spread.

Tiger hit a hole-in-one on the par-three 16th. And I had missed it.

Never again will I doubt Tiger Woods. Never again will I question his impact on the game. You could see his impact just by looking at the types of people around you.

They were all there Saturday. All races. All ages. And they all love Tiger Woods.

He passed about three feet from me on his way up to the clubhouse. I did not get his autograph. I guess you could say that I touched his aura.

And that was good enough for me.

Sports editor Craig Degel shares his thoughts on sports and life every Wednesday in the Wildcat.