GAINESVILLE, Va. -- Throughout all of Tiger Woods' struggles this year -- the missed cuts and the rounds in the 80s, the shanked approach shots and the chili-dipped chips -- one person has stood alone as the voice of reason, a sea of tranquility drowning in an ocean of discontent.
Following suggestions that the 79-time PGA Tour winner should play more or play less, that he should return to his old swing or reconstruct his new one, that he should change everything or change nothing at all, this person has steadfastly clung to the assertion that we should maintain patience in the wake of so many theories.
His name? Tiger Woods.
Let's not misunderstand this point: Just because Woods opened with rounds of 68-66 at his own Quicken Loans National, that doesn't mean all criticism has been proved to be invalid, nor does it mean that he can stick out his tongue and say "I told you so."
What these rounds have proved, though, is that he's been right all along while preaching about "the process" and insisting that he was never going to undergo monumental immediate improvements.
"As I've said," he explained after a second round that included six birdies and vaulted him up the leaderboard into a tie for fifth, 3 shots behind Ryo Ishikawa, "I have been through this before. When you make changes to the game, it takes a little time sometimes and you've got to be patient with it. I know what I'm doing out there. It's just a matter of time before things start to click in.
"That takes time. That's not going to happen overnight. People want the immediate fix, the one tip that's going to work for the rest of their life. It doesn't work that way. Takes time to build it."
So far this week, we've witnessed another step in the process about which Woods so often speaks.
When he first started struggling, the key was to make a solid swing here and there; then it was a handful of solid swings consecutively; then a stretch of holes; then an entire round; and now, for one of the only times this year, he's posted consecutive solid rounds, backing up a good one with an even better one.
Based on what takes place this weekend, the narrative will quickly shift to either Woods appearing in vintage form or unable to withstand prosperity. It's the old "He's done!" and "He's back!" debates which have proliferated through social media, so many observers wishing to offer ardent claims without that process fully developed.
Woods doesn't just roll his eyes at those who say he'll never play great golf again. When asked Friday for his response to those who have seen these two rounds and proclaimed him to be fully back to elite status, he offered something that could best be described as an audible harrumph, then countered, "Does that sound answer it?"
He is quick to point out that this is hardly the first time in his career that his game has been a work in progress. Following winless seasons in 2010 and '11, Woods claimed three victories in 2012 and five more in 2013. He became fond of telling anyone within earshot that a lot of people never thought he would win again.
With the criticism that has been heaped upon him this year, he hasn't become defensive or evasive or even gone on the offensive. He's simply preached patience, time and time again.
All of which leads to another question: Can that criticism serve as motivation?
"It could, but it doesn't," he insisted. "There's a lot of experts out there that think they really know a lot about the game. They've never been inside the ropes and never hit a shot. They really don't understand how this game is and especially at this level. The longer you play, you're going to have periods like this. Some guys' careers are 48, 50 years long. I don't think they all played well each and every year for 48, 50 years.
"This is my 20th year on tour. I've had spells where I played great and other spells where I played awful. It's just the nature of our sport."
For the entire year, Woods has been telling anyone willing to listen that we shouldn't get overexcited about the positives in his game and we shouldn't be too underwhelmed by the negatives. While the masses have gawked at the theoretical chalk outline surrounding his career, he's continually reminded us about the process.
Just as he wasn't ready to retire, as some had suggested when his game was at rock bottom, Woods is hardly ready to start celebrating after two good rounds this week.
He understands this is part of the journey. He understands the need for patience.
