Woods Wins First PGA Tournament in 30 Months

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (THE NEW YORK TIMES)

Published: March 25, 2012                    at 7:00 PM ET      

Woods goes to No. 6 in the world, his first time back in the top 10 since May 22. He had gone 923 days — dating to Sept. 13, 2009 — since he last won on the PGA Tour at the BMW Championship.

Getting his personal and physical (several leg operations) life back in order--Tiger Woods "looked" like the Tiger Woods of old--when he was storming the golf courses with record wins. 

This win makes it the 7th time he's won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Tiger's smile on the 18th said it all.

The lessons here are on many levels and are magnified by the fact that it is Tiger Woods making a comeback.  Michael Jordan's comeback to basketball doesn't compare--how could it?

The primary lesson is one of focus on new  and old priorities and managing the distractions.  It can be done. 

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/03/25/us/ap-glf-bay-hill.html?...

How "Comeback Candidates" relate to recruitment, recruiters and hiring managers is an interesting conundrum.

How would the Tiger Woods' type candidate manage in a competitive job market that values youth over older; recent accomplishment over an interrupted career with public disgrace; several operations and time off due to rehab; and finally, bad press?

My guess is most would not even give such a candidate the time of day. Any exceptions? Maybe there should be because the talent Tiger Woods displayed on Sunday was remarkable, but not really for Tiger Woods. It is my position that the Tiger Woods type exist out there and are being passed over for supposed shortcomings. I say take a risk--you may be happily surprised with the outcome.

I've put ex-offenders into HP, Xerox and IBM and they were valued hires. If you can look past the shortcomings, bad luck and bad decisions you will discover a candidate worth keeping. Like Tiger Woods they strive to overcome because being a high achiever is part of their DNA.