OT: Annual Tiger Woods Comeback Thread

[Caliknight]

I said he played well. After missing the cut last major, this was imperative. But he didn’t win. And faded when it mattered most.

He had a nice run. 2nd greatest ever. But it’s the younger guys game now.

 

[RickB113]

I said he played well. After missing the cut last major, this was imperative. But he didn’t win. And faded when it mattered most.

He had a nice run. 2nd greatest ever. But it’s the younger guys game now.

It is not the younger guys game now though. Tiger in his prime would pummel these guys. Tiger at 42 is at the same level as them. DJ and Thomas missed the cut. He beat most of the “young guns” this week. He is no better or worse than those guys. He can win any week or miss cut just like Spieth Rory JT DJ etc.

 

[brianoc]

I think it is clear that barring additional major wins Jack is clearly the greatest ever.

 

[WhiteBus]

I think it is clear that barring additional major wins Jack is clearly the greatest ever.

Was never a doubt in my mind.

 

[Fabrizi]

Was never a doubt in my mind.

It wasn't in doubt 10 years ago? Please. 42 year old Tiger showed today that it could happen.

 

[Fabrizi]

I said he played well. After missing the cut last major, this was imperative. But he didn’t win. And faded when it mattered most.

He had a nice run. 2nd greatest ever. But it’s the younger guys game now.

Faded? Another stupid comment. He had two bad drives and one really bad decision. Everyone, except Molinari, had similar mishaps. Sometimes on Sunday you have to be aggressive, sometimes you play consistent and let the field struggle. Tiger did not fade today. I'd be shocked if he doesn't win one more major.

 

[WhiteBus]

It wasn't in doubt 10 years ago? Please. 42 year old Tiger showed today that it could happen.

It could happen once but he isnt getting 4.

 

[RU848789]

Cali you’re an idiot. You said he would never compete again. He has barely been back and he is already competing at a top level. He will continue to get better. Keeps taking steps forward. There is nothing about your argument that is correct. Nothing.

Exactly. Cali is incapable of admitting when he is wrong. He was wrong on saying Tiger won't compete again and then he was wrong on his "new" position that he won't be able to compete with the top players.

He's still right that Tiger hasn't a tournament or a major, but assuming he stays healthy, the tournament wins will come and maybe a major or two, although that's certainly not a given. Pretty sure my prediction that he'll return to the top 5 is going to come true.

Cali - just stop with the "competitiveness" arguments, which you're simply wrong on, and stick with your "Tiger won't win another major" position, which is a reasonable one. I may just take you up on the major bet if Tiger continues to improve and shows he can stay healthy for an extended period.

 

[RU848789]

It could happen once but he isnt getting 4.

Serious question. Back in 2008, when Tiger won his 14th, did you think he was going to win 5 more and break Jack's record? Like many of our generation, I loved Jack and wasn't fond of Tiger (have friends in the golf world who said he was an arrogant dick) and didn't want Tiger to beat his record, but I thought he was just too good and was going to do it by the time he was 40. And then the scandals and injuries hit and 10 years later, no more majors. But he truly seems humbled and has obviously been through a ton, so now I wouldn't mind seeing him win one or two.

 

[RUScrew85]

Wow. The Donald Trump of the Knight Report. Hunker down with your hatred of all things Tiger and ACC. Fake news if it doesn't jibe.

Some dick always drags in politics... Sad!

 

[RUScrew85]

It wasn't in doubt 10 years ago? Please. 42 year old Tiger showed today that it could happen.

Mr. Tigers Woods Dad, I thought you died.

 

[WhiteBus]

Serious question. Back in 2008, when Tiger won his 14th, did you think he was going to win 5 more and break Jack's record? Like many of our generation, I loved Jack and wasn't fond of Tiger (have friends in the golf world who said he was an arrogant dick) and didn't want Tiger to beat his record, but I thought he was just too good and was going to do it by the time he was 40. And then the scandals and injuries hit and 10 years later, no more majors. But he truly seems humbled and has obviously been through a ton, so now I wouldn't mind seeing him win one or two.

No. When he won his last major he was playing on a bad leg. Came back toosoon from a previous surgery, made it much worse. Add in he wasalready having back issues and annouced he would not play the rest of 2008. Getting 4 didn't and still doesn't seem possible.
Never thought he would be humble or media friendly but at least that has changed. However, now 10 years later there is a entire new generation that he has to beat.
Also saw 4 shots today where his swing is too violent. He is facing further injury.

 

[RU848789]

No. When he won his last major he was playing on a bad leg. Came back toosoon from a previous surgery, made it much worse. Add in he wasalready having back issues and annouced he would not play the rest of 2008. Getting 4 didn't and still doesn't seem possible.
Never thought he would be humble or media friendly but at least that has changed. However, now 10 years later there is a entire new generation that he has to beat.
Also saw 4 shots today where his swing is too violent. He is facing further injury.

Well the knee surgery knocked him out of the rest of 2008, but I don't recall significant back problems in 2009, where he did have a strong year, with 3 top 10's in majors, although no wins. But I could definitely see doubting him given the knee problems and moreso by late 2009 when the scandals hit, but before then it just seemed like he'd keep winning majors, at least to me. Certainly never thought that possibly his last major was going to be in 2008.

 

[WhiteBus]

Well the knee surgery knocked him out of the rest of 2008, but I don't recall significant back problems in 2009, where he did have a strong year, with 3 top 10's in majors, although no wins. But I could definitely see doubting him given the knee problems and moreso by late 2009 when the scandals hit, but before then it just seemed like he'd keep winning majors, at least to me. Certainly never thought that possibly his last major was going to be in 2008.

Tiger will look back and one day regret changing his swing after so much success. He wanted to get bigger, stronger, better after dominating. He may never admit it but his new swing killed his body. And the lesson learned today is to go back to flexibilty and be great around the greens. Molinari has worked on both since moving to the U.S. Like Rose he isnt a body builder like Tiger and Rory. His swings were solid but not overdone. Tiger made two great shots today but were extremely violent but he got away with them. The wood from 6 IIRC ended great but watch his follow through. Right foot comes way off the ground. Than from the bunker on 10. Great ending but a crazy swing and it was downhill from there.

 

[RUScrew85]

Look it's obvious Tiger when playing his best can still be one of the best - the issue is can he still do it consistently? Is he doomed to inconsistency because of past injuries, swing changes and age - or is he really coming back to prominence after a what 6(?) year injury induced bad period.

We shall see. He sure looked good for about 6 or 8 holes today but towards the end he dropped off - bad choices bad shots (bad golf). The historically good Tiger didn't ever drop off when he was this close. So is he on his way to a few more years of great play - or will he occasionally catch lightning in a bottle and make the occasional run?

I think supporters and critics can both find something in this tourney to support their beliefs. Lets see how he does over the next 12 months.

Even if he does get back to the top - he's 42. Most golfers - heck even Jack - start to see their performance drop off in the mid 40s - so it's unlikely you'll see 5 years of domination coming up.

Personally I think what you saw today is likely the best he'll play. Occasionally he'll play like he did this weekend but the wire to wire tournament dominations I think are in the past. And there will be more better than average golf than there will be top 10 golf for him from here on out.

None of that should take away from what he accomplished over 40 years of golf.

Even Jack's run ended.

 

[Caliknight]

It is not the younger guys game now though. Tiger in his prime would pummel these guys. Tiger at 42 is at the same level as them. DJ and Thomas missed the cut. He beat most of the “young guns” this week. He is no better or worse than those guys. He can win any week or miss cut just like Spieth Rory JT DJ etc.

Sounds like an arfument for being one of the guys.

 

[Caliknight]

Exactly. Cali is incapable of admitting when he is wrong. He was wrong on saying Tiger won't compete again and then he was wrong on his "new" position that he won't be able to compete with the top players.

He's still right that Tiger hasn't a tournament or a major, but assuming he stays healthy, the tournament wins will come and maybe a major or two, although that's certainly not a given. Pretty sure my prediction that he'll return to the top 5 is going to come true.

Cali - just stop with the "competitiveness" arguments, which you're simply wrong on, and stick with your "Tiger won't win another major" position, which is a reasonable one. I may just take you up on the major bet if Tiger continues to improve and shows he can stay healthy for an extended period.

It’s a $100. Just make a bet. Some of you guys are boring as hell. All talk. Just bet.

 

[chase07470]

Tiger blowing the back nine lead in a major is a step in the process of winning a major and becoming a top ten player. Once it was clear he had his health and could play at this level, been surprised at what a process it's been to get back mentally. But he's narrowing in on it and think he's definitely a favorite to win the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. Course will largely eliminate the bomb and gouge crowd. If he can get in position off the tee and let that splendid iron game take over...look out.

 

[Caliknight]

Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[chase07470]

Shell of wherever he once was. Too many younger, better players who hit the ball further than he ever did.

The game has changed since he changed it.

^^^Annoying knucklehead, still talking, still being a knucklehead, on his life's journey as a knucklehead.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

The networks were happy...According to NBC Sports, coverage was up 38 percent from 2017----British Open earns highest TV rating since Tiger Woods' Grand Slam win at St. Andrews in 2000.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/br...er-woods-grand-slam-win-at-st-andrews-in-2000

 

[WhiteBus]

The networks were happy...According to NBC Sports, coverage was up 38 percent from 2017----British Open earns highest TV rating since Tiger Woods' Grand Slam win at St. Andrews in 2000.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/br...er-woods-grand-slam-win-at-st-andrews-in-2000

And yet Mr. Tiger Hater thinks no one would be interested in a Tiger/Phil $10 million match. Pure ratings gold.

 

[Caliknight]

Faded? Another stupid comment. He had two bad drives and one really bad decision..

Exactly. Faded. The Tiger of old was running away at that point. He just doesn't have that magic anymore. Too much young talent now that isn't afraid of him, has incredible talent, and is coming into their prime.

It's great for the game. Golf has never been more fun to watch.

 

[rurichdog]

I wonder if Wayne Gretzky can come back and rack up another 100 points and hoist another Stanley Cup?

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Based on your signature, you are an expert at *** licking.

Well played....well played...but it’s LITERALLY been a DECADE Since his last major championship. Get over it AJ ready lol!

 

[Caliknight]

I wonder if Wayne Gretzky can come back and rack up another 100 points and hoist another Stanley Cup?

Michael Jordan back for another championship first.

 

[Section124]

The Tiger of old never won a major without the 54 hole lead. He showed yesterday (as well as earlier this year) his game is not consistent enough to win. Plus old age/health makes it more difficult. The good thing is he gets the casual fan back watching. I just don’t expect him to close out a major or top level tournament. The Open will be his best chance going forward to win a major. 2020 at St. Andrews will be the one to watch.

 

[Caliknight]

WHere is The Open 2019? Old guys seem to do better that major than more so than any other.

 

[Section124]

WHere is The Open 2019? Old guys seem to do better that major than more so than any other.

Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Rory will be motivated for that one.

 

[Jtung230]

Well played....well played...but it’s LITERALLY been a DECADE Since his last major championship. Get over it AJ ready lol!

All joking aside. No one is saying he’ll dominate. Most of us think he can win one more major. Not sure that qualifies as *** licking.

 

[gordel1]

Woods was one of the greatest players ever, seems to be a bit of a dick as a person though. Did anyone notice the tip of the hat that he does now to acknowledge the fans like Phil always did ? Seems like he was told to do it to make himself more likable, doesn't seem sincere to me. I also think he will struggle more in tournaments where he needs to use the driver more and not be able to hit irons off the tee like he did at the Open last week.

 

[RUScrew85]

Woods was one of the greatest players ever, seems to be a bit of a dick as a person though. Did anyone notice the tip of the hat that he does now to acknowledge the fans like Phil always did ? Seems like he was told to do it to make himself more likable, doesn't seem sincere to me. I also think he will struggle more in tournaments where he needs to use the driver more and not be able to hit irons off the tee like he did at the Open last week.

Many hyper-driven guys are kinda dicks. Tiger was a widely known dick in his youth - look what he did to the mother of his children. But many folks who are dicks in their youth mellow out with age. Tiger's probably learned a lot over his 40 years and is starting to mellow as well. He's accomplished quite a bit and maybe he's starting to appreciate the scenery a little more.

 

[RU848789]

The Tiger of old never won a major without the 54 hole lead. He showed yesterday (as well as earlier this year) his game is not consistent enough to win. Plus old age/health makes it more difficult. The good thing is he gets the casual fan back watching. I just don’t expect him to close out a major or top level tournament. The Open will be his best chance going forward to win a major. 2020 at St. Andrews will be the one to watch.

Disagree. His game is still best suited for the Masters, IMO, where you can be a bit loose with your drives (on some holes) and still not be penalized too much, given that there's no rough to speak of. That course puts more of a premium on accurate (and smart) irons into the green and, of course, chipping and putting - yes, he's been inconsistent, especially with the putter, but I think he'll figure that out. The Tiger of 2008 would've made at least 5 or more putts than Tiger did last week and likely would've won, just based on putting.

 

[WhiteBus]

Many hyper-driven guys are kinda dicks. Tiger was a widely known dick in his youth - look what he did to the mother of his children. But many folks who are dicks in their youth mellow out with age. Tiger's probably learned a lot over his 40 years and is starting to mellow as well. He's accomplished quite a bit and maybe he's starting to appreciate the scenery a little more.

This, all of this.
During his post interview he was in a good mood. Talked about how glad his kids were there to see him play. Proud of the way he played.
10 years ago if he lost the lead in a major on a Sunday he would have stormed off the course and passed on doing any interviews. He has changed and I don't think any of this is fake.
People tend to change after hitting rock bottom.

 

[Section124]

Disagree. His game is still best suited for the Masters, IMO, where you can be a bit loose with your drives (on some holes) and still not be penalized too much, given that there's no rough to speak of. That course puts more of a premium on accurate (and smart) irons into the green and, of course, chipping and putting - yes, he's been inconsistent, especially with the putter, but I think he'll figure that out. The Tiger of 2008 would've made at least 5 or more putts than Tiger did last week and likely would've won, just based on putting.

Normally I would agree about the Masters, but he lost by 16 stokes this year. I know it was early, but I just don’t think he has the touch to putt there anymore. Tiger had the chipping yips and now changed putters. He seems to be a little better, but touch goes the older you get. I think The Open is best due to being able to hit knockdown irons and slow greens. That is a equalizer for him.

 

[Caliknight]

It's his putting, as predicted. The first thing to go at age. The short game will continue to falter as time goes on, then his length. He will be on the senior tour at that point.

This is assuming he stays healthy.

The British Open (not calling it The Open) is his best chance at a major going forward.

 

[dvb91]

The Tiger of old never won a major without the 54 hole lead. He showed yesterday (as well as earlier this year) his game is not consistent enough to win. Plus old age/health makes it more difficult. The good thing is he gets the casual fan back watching. I just don’t expect him to close out a major or top level tournament. The Open will be his best chance going forward to win a major. 2020 at St. Andrews will be the one to watch.

His interview after the round kind of hints why he hasn't won a major without the 54 hole lead. Since there were groups behind him, he felt that he had to continue to be aggressive as the thought someone would go lower than -7, where he had the lead. If he was in the last grouping, he'd know where his competitors were and what he'd have to do to match or better them. TBH, I was a bit shocked he didn't play more defensively (or more like Hoylake), especially after 10. I think that was his downfall, as he hit a marvelous shot out of the bunker to give himself a shot at birdie. He just misses, which would've given him a 2 shot advantage, then goes to 11 and looks a gift horse in the mouth (fortunate bounce off spectator when the ball was going way offline) by going for a flop shot when he really should've chipped out to the left (i.e. take double bogey out of the equation).

Sometimes, when watching golf, we forget we're getting a god's eye view, with us basically knowing what's going on on the course. We, as viewers, could see everyone was basically falling away and -7 had a very good chance at winning, but Tiger was trying to go lower. Give him credit for going for it, but seemed to be a lack of situational awareness, which he was much better at previously.

 

[RUbytheshore]

On the 11th hole (third shot) Tiger caught the ball high on the club face, causing the shot to come up short and roll back. Had he hit it a groove or two lower he probably saves par. IMO he played the right shot to save his chance for the win... just didn’t execute cleanly out of the rough.

 

[Knightmoves]

Many hyper-driven guys are kinda dicks. Tiger was a widely known dick in his youth - look what he did to the mother of his children. But many folks who are dicks in their youth mellow out with age. Tiger's probably learned a lot over his 40 years and is starting to mellow as well. He's accomplished quite a bit and maybe he's starting to appreciate the scenery a little more.

Tiger is now mellow on air, IMO, because he knows that he can’t get away with his former arrogant, stuck up demeanor now like he could when he was on top of the golf world. Remember when he would only speak to one media person after his round who would lob soft balls to him during post round interviews? Somehow that demand has now been removed from his repertoire.

He appreciates the current scenery because he is a decided underdog on the PGA tour and can’t get his own way with the media anymore.

He made his own bed. A phony from the beginning.

 

[Jtung230]

Tiger is now mellow on air, IMO, because he knows that he can’t get away with his former arrogant, stuck up demeanor now like he could when he was on top of the golf world. Remember when he would only speak to one media person after his round who would lob soft balls to him during post round interviews? Somehow that demand has now been removed from his repertoire.

He appreciates the current scenery because he is a decided underdog on the PGA tour and can’t get his own way with the media anymore.

He made his own bed. A phony from the beginning.

He can do whatever he wants with the media but chooses not too. Let’s be clear. Every network can’t wait to broadcast the next event Tiger competes in.