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ATLANTA – In the middle of Rickie Fowler's media obligations after the rounds, he was interrupted by a roar that echoed East Lake.
"I do not know who it was. I just heard the roar, "Fowler said. Pressed on who could have caused such a reaction, he shrugged, no.
There was a time when only one player provoked this kind of noisy response from the masses, but in Fowler's defense it was a long time ago.
Tiger Woods has always cast an easily recognizable shadow on the game. The combination of signature red and black wardrobe on Sunday, wild punch pumps and emotional overflow, even steel glare. Everything was so obvious.
But for older PGA players, these moments are from another era, the folklore topics that veterans talk about, which at least partially explains Fowler's confusion.
The current generation has repeatedly stated that they would cherish the chance to compete with Tiger at his best, hear those roars and feel those moments. The champion of the 14 major events is not there yet, but his 28-foot for the eagle at the last hole on Thursday at the Tour Championship, rushed to the hole and ignited the gallery.
So, that's what greatness looks like.
Woods ended his day in the final with a total of nine points out of 31 after a slow start and was tied with Fowler at the top of the season-ending standings at 5 under par. He was previously in this position from Tampa to St. Louis and he was just as impressive two weeks ago at the BMW Championship when he debuted with a first round of 62 to a head share.
But Thursday in East Lake was different. It was better.
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"It was much better than the 62 at [the BMW Championship]Said Woods, who plays at East Lake for the first time since 2013. "The conditions were weak there. It is difficult to close the ball here. There is so much pursuit. If you drive the ball in the hubbub, you know you can not close the ball.
A better comparison could be his closing at the PGA Championship, it was certainly stronger, but there was something complete and clinical about his 65 years in East Lake.
On Wednesday, Tiger talked about getting all parts of his game up at one point. When he drove the ball well, his bet was interrupted. When he behaved well, his behavior let him down. You know, golf.
On Thursday, he looked like a complete golfer, a player of five tools whose only limit was to run out of holes. Statistically, he finished in the top 10 by shots: off the tee (eighth), the tee on the green (third), the fairways (fourth), the driving distance (eighth), the greens in rule (fifth)) , scrambling (first) and winning strokes: put (eighth).
"I felt in control today," said Woods without even trying to hide the sacred smile that crossed his face. "I had a lot of control over my shots."
Woods said throughout the season that as long as he was in good health, he was sure he would find a way to be competitive. Although he said his plan for the beginning of the year was to fight and win, he also admitted that from the year he was not sure how he was going to do that.
"The goal is to always win, but how will I do it when I have not had a match at the beginning of the year? In a way, I have to find a way to replenish it and give myself a chance with the little game I've had, "he said.
Woods' return to competitive relevance has sometimes seemed dazzling, especially when it is thought that he was not yet certain last year that his surgically repaired return could withstand the rigors of Tour's life.
He has reconstructed a game, exchanging putters and drivers during regular clips this season, in an attempt to match a new swing to a new and healthy body. Getting this elusive win would be the last piece of the puzzle, but he knows he has 24 hours left in his season.
There was a moment when the name of Tiger at the top of the standings was a reason for the field to even note day 1. This piece of his aura was also elusive, but part of his mystical sight.
Fowler will have no problem deciphering the roars on Friday when he will be paired with Woods in the final group of the day, that's what he and the other members of the current generation have chosen and one of the last pieces the return of Tiger.
"I'd already had the opportunity and I'm definitely better placed than at the beginning of my career," said Fowler, who has been paired with Woods a dozen times in his career. "There is a small level of comfort that you have to get used to playing with, especially in a big situation, in a final group. No, I'm looking forward to it now.
That's what everyone was looking forward to, so that these roars are as distinctive as the man who has produced so much in his career.
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