Yes it does. The prime example is David Duval. He was number 1 as Tiger was coming up. Probably Tiger would not have been able to beat him. He fell totally apart. Still trying to rebuild his game. Plays well then falls back. Daly was probably better then Tiger but wine, women, gambling, food and song destroyed him.
Duval would be a perfect Steve Blass example. Nick Faldo to some extent and Ian Baker Finch to some extent though maybe injuries were reponsible - he won the British Open and a few others.
Ian was told if he said anything else even slightly bad about Tiger on CBS - he would be fired.
Tiger’s other problem is age and putting. Putting usually goes first because of the hands. He is only 34 but it can go early.
Phil Mickelson is 40 but his fitness and playing seem to be improving due to hard work. The word was Thursday or Friday Tiger rushed to his SUV with no practice. Phil finished late in the day and was off to the practice range to work on things. Tiger used to be a workaholic.
Mickelson’s iron play and short it wedge irons are probably the best in the game. The wedges require “touch” like the putter. Tiger was a great putter but if he loses that - he is over.
Golf is very much a you can lose it overnight sport. It is incredibly competitive, the young kids are amazing and it is produce or die. It requires physical, timing and tempo on the swing, great “touch” or feel and mentally it is very very hard.
Tiger may be imploding like Blass or how David Duval imploded.
More on Duval who is actually making progress. I think his family is more important to him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Duval
I still maintain since the PGA began testing for steroids and PEDs after he won USOpen at Torrey Pines-San Diego, “le tigre” has been declining in performance and his previously bulked up body. The news of his Canadian doc who was helping him rehab after that USOpen being busted for steroids have certainly been hushed.
Not to diminish the after effects of his whoring, but the lack of PEDs have negatively affected him.