The media said Tiger would never win again, and they had no reason to believe they were wrong. His tee shots were disgraceful. His short game looked like a kid learning how to chip for the first time. He had several back surgeries and Florida law enforcement accused him of drunk driving last year.
No one believed Tiger would be able to compete on Tour ever again, let alone win.
Correction: One person believed he could come back; the only person who matters.