It now just seems a matter of time before the kid is right and Woods loses the No. 1 ranking he has held for five years to Phil Mickelson. Indeed, that could happen on Sunday should Mickelson shoot another low round and win.

More troubling for Woods is that the future looks just as uncertain. He once seemed destined to pass Jack Nicklaus in major championship wins and be anointed as the greatest player ever, but now his standing in history seems as shaky as his tee shots.

While Woods has won an average of one major a year since turning pro, he's now 34 and it's been two years since he won his last U.S. Open. Where he was once the fearless young kid who could blow people away on Sunday, there are now young players seemingly everywhere like Rory McIlroy who can do the same thing.

What is really striking is how Woods seems in denial of what is happening around him. He talks vaguely about other players not being subjected to the same scrutiny he is, but mostly it's the same party line about how his swing is coming around and it's just a matter of time before all is well.

He may believe it, though it's hard to believe much Woods has to say anymore. His pledge to treat the game with more respect unraveled quickly at the Masters, and his pledge to treat fans better didn't last much longer.

While Mickelson signed autographs by the dozens after his round Saturday, Woods didn't sign any, not even for two young volunteers.

It was just like old times, except with a twist.

At least then he had the game to get away with it.