OT: Annual Tiger Woods Comeback Thread

[HALL85]

You all saw the leaderboard, Sunday at Carnoustie. That was the last major played. How can you say he can't win another major? He was right there.

Rory has also been right there a lot of times, recently. He too has not been able to close the deal. Yet, no one says he won't win another major.

Age is age, it's not nearly as important as self belief. That comes and goes. Look at Spieth right now. Think he'll never when another major?

It isn't about Tiger's age, it's about whether he'll find that inner confidence and strength to get it done. To me, when you're talking about someone who possessed as much of it as anyone who has ever played the game, you make the bet he will find it.

PGA sets up nicely for his iron game. He might contend this week. Odds makers certainly disagree with the naysayers. Despite that weekend in Ohio, only the following are favored over him:

Dustin Johnson 10/1
Rory McIlroy 12/1
Justin Thomas 14/1
Jordan Spieth 16/1
Rickie Fowler 18/1

Certainly possible for Tiger to win another major, but he's got several things working against him:

* Age: only two golfers won a major after the age of 45. He's 42 and has 12 more majors before he turns 45. Age is a number, but the odds go down dramatically at 45.
* Injuries: Half a dozen back and knee surgeries...it's taking him a long time to return to form with each procedure and he's likely to have another (especially the nature of disk injuries).
* Youth: Guys have his length and while there may not be a golfer as dominant as Tiger was, there are a group that are more physically able then him (Koepka, Stenson, Johnson, etc.) and then you have guys like Speith, Thomas, McIlroy, Fowler, that have the tools but haven't developed the mental consistency.
* Confidence: There is a huge difference of the Tiger today vs. 20 years ago. Guys used to dread being in his group on Sunday; now they savor it. Don't you think Molinari enjoyed going head to head on Sunday with Woods to win The Open? He's lost that edge.

Tiger is great for golf. I was at Shinnecock and when his group came through, fans were ten deep at the ropes. No other group had more than two deep, even Phil. For much of his career, he was in his own category. The last few years, he looked like one of the 100 golfers that are just playing to keep their card and hoping to find a way to win a tournament. Now he is playing as one of the top 30 golfers that think they should win each week. I think he squeezes out one more major along the way.

 

[angmo]

Nice. A whole page on Tiger. No doubt he is great for golf. Just as many people watch to see him lose as they do to see him win.

He's definitely tiptoeing around being a winner again. The thing is, the guys on tour now want him to be good, so they can say they beat Tiger when he was good.

He no longer has that aura of invincibility that used to make bums like Bob May and Rocco Mediate crumble at his charge.

He may win a tournament, doubt he ever wins a major again. He'll flirt with it and get a lot of people excited, then finish 5 strokes back again.

 

[Section124]

Bob May a bum? He took Tiger to a playoff in that PGA. Tiger had to play amazing golf to win that. Both guys were lights out that day.

And your post is ridiculous because both Bob May and Rocco took Tiger to playoffs in a major. Now Davis Love III used to crap his pants. Almost any other golfers would have been a better example.

 

[wisr01]

Bob May a bum? He took Tiger to a playoff in that PGA. Tiger had to play amazing golf to win that. Both guys were lights out that day.

And your post is ridiculous because both Bob May and Rocco took Tiger to playoffs in a major. Now Davis Love III used to crap his pants. Almost any other golfers would have been a better example.

Bob May only had 5 PGA Tour top 10s in his whole career and no wins. Calling him a journeyman would be kind.

 

[Section124]

Bob May only had 5 PGA Tour top 10s in his whole career and no wins. Calling him a journeyman would be kind.

Agreed. But his point was Tiger made bums like Bob May and Rocco crumble. Head to head they played him better than most in a major no less.

 

[Jtung230]

please see the golf outing thread.

 

[Caliknight]

Agreed. But his point was Tiger made bums like Bob May and Rocco crumble. Head to head they played him better than most in a major no less.

They did. But they were still weak. Put this current crop in the Tiger era or put him in his prime now and that major total looks a lot different.

He transcended the game at the time, but the comp was very, very average. A bunch of aged stars on their way out, and not a lot coming in.

 

[Section124]

They did. But they were still weak. Put this current crop in the Tiger era or put him in his prime now and that major total looks a lot different.

He transcended the game at the time, but the comp was very, very average. A bunch of aged stars on their way out, and not a lot coming in.

I agree with you. In hindsight, Tiger having the 3rd round lead in both those majors and having to take those guys to a playoff takes away from his legacy a little. I mean he hit some great shots and made unbelievable putts just to get to the playoff. Against journeymen at best. He was so much better than the players back then (and that includes Phil). He was just toying with them. He would have no margin for error in today’s game.

 

[Caliknight]

Conversely, you take DJ and put him in that era in his prime, he's racking up championships.

 

[Jtung230]

You two are funny. Phil just beat JT this year for his win. Recent major winners like Sergio, Willett, Walker, Reed and now Molinari. DJ choked away the US Open and missed the cut on the British Open. Just some facts for you.

 

[Caliknight]

DJ is the number 1 player in the world. Horrible example.

Randall Chamblee explained Tiger's situation perfectly. Every facet of his game is worse than it was. He simply isn't the player he was and the players now are better. It's obvious.

 

[soundcrib]

They did. But they were still weak. Put this current crop in the Tiger era or put him in his prime now and that major total looks a lot different.

He transcended the game at the time, but the comp was very, very average. A bunch of aged stars on their way out, and not a lot coming in.

OK I’m with you for a lot, but this is just hate speak. You can say this about any sport and any precedeing era. In fact it’s disrespectful to the great players of the 90s/00s era of golf. Please consider the equipment they used and the lack of science and technology behind the game at that time.

Golfers from that era or any era for that matter are far from weak.

 

[chase07470]

These kids are all great players but not one is dominating the game. DJ has exactly one major title. Spieth and Rory, the only two with more than two majors among the young guys, have won exactly one between them out of the last 13 played. So how great is any one of them?

What made Tiger, Jack and Hogan so dominating was they could win with their B games. Could those guys beat these kids when the kids have their "A" game? Not every time but they'd get their share.

All this talk about how great these kids are compared to other eras is a joke. JT is 5'8", Rory is 5'9" Spieth is no physical specimen...you think there weren't 5'8" guys ripping the crap out of the ball and putting lights out back in the day? Of course there were. But they were playing with small persimmon heads and balata balls that would spin like you wouldn't believe. It was much more of a shot makers game. You could work the ball a lot more but shots that now hit the margins of greens would miss back then by five yards.

What we've seen is what TW was able to do with his game in the first 8 months with a newly fused back, which neccesitated changing his swing and playing the game from different angles than he had before.

He's hampered by an inability to put in the work load he once did. Reported he spent an hour in a bath of ice and water following Sunday's round at Firestone to combat inflammation in his back.

Whatever happens, you have to tip your cap to the warrior in that guy to come back into the arena with all the physical issues and try to take these kids down. Still think he'll get another major.

 

[RU848789]

Conversely, you take DJ and put him in that era in his prime, he's racking up championships.

Are you implying that DJ, a guy who has exactly one major at an age (34) when Tiger had 14, is as good as Tiger was when he was dominant and winning those 14 majors in 11 years? If so, that's one of the dumbest comments you've ever made and that is no small feat.

 

[Caliknight]

Tiy don’t read well.

The more posts I read from Brick Tamland, the more I’m convinced he has no idea about anything. His understanding of sport is very elementary. Like his weather predictions. You can tell he was never an athlete.

 

[RU848789]

Tiy don’t read well.

The more posts I read from Brick Tamland, the more I’m convinced he has no idea about anything. His understanding of sport is very elementary. Like his weather predictions. You can tell he was never an athlete.

Who's Tiy? And your understanding of golf is near nil - I've forgotten more about golf than you'll ever know - although I will concede that you are much more knowledgeable than I am about golf clothing and fashion, in general. Congrats.

 

[HALL85]

These kids are all great players but not one is dominating the game. DJ has exactly one major title. Spieth and Rory, the only two with more than two majors among the young guys, have won exactly one between them out of the last 13 played. So how great is any one of them?

What made Tiger, Jack and Hogan so dominating was they could win with their B games. Could those guys beat these kids when the kids have their "A" game? Not every time but they'd get their share.

All this talk about how great these kids are compared to other eras is a joke. JT is 5'8", Rory is 5'9" Spieth is no physical specimen...you think there weren't 5'8" guys ripping the crap out of the ball and putting lights out back in the day? Of course there were. But they were playing with small persimmon heads and balata balls that would spin like you wouldn't believe. It was much more of a shot makers game. You could work the ball a lot more but shots that now hit the margins of greens would miss back then by five yards.

What we've seen is what TW was able to do with his game in the first 8 months with a newly fused back, which neccesitated changing his swing and playing the game from different angles than he had before.

He's hampered by an inability to put in the work load he once did. Reported he spent an hour in a bath of ice and water following Sunday's round at Firestone to combat inflammation in his back.

Whatever happens, you have to tip your cap to the warrior in that guy to come back into the arena with all the physical issues and try to take these kids down. Still think he'll get another major.

Have to agree with you here. I actually went back and looked at the competition (other major winners) during Tiger's run and I would say the talent is pretty comparable. I think we have a core group of very good young guys, but Tiger not only won 14 majors, but he dominated several of them.

My opinion of Tiger has morphed over the years. I was a huge fan when he had that rise to prominence and rooted for him to break Jack's major record. I really didn't care about the infidelity, but he turned me off on how he handled it but more importantly how he began to disrespect the game when he fell on hard times. The tantrums, cursing, complaining, obnoxious interviews, fan treatment....I had a hard time with that.

Now I'm kind of ambivalent about him. He is great for the game and attracts huge crowds and interest from the casual fan. Deserves respect also for putting the time and effort in to return and he does seem humbled from what he's been through, but my rooting interests have moved on to other players. Day, Speith, Fleetwood...are the guys I follow on the weekend. I just like Fowler's backstory and hope he breaks through as well.

 

[Caliknight]

Who's Tiy? And your understanding of golf is near nil - I've forgotten more about golf than you'll ever know - although I will concede that you are much more knowledgeable than I am about golf clothing and fashion, in general. Congrats.

Sure you do, Tiger. And knowing how to dress appropriately on a golf course isn't some great feat. It would only appear so to a guy who rolls in cargos and tee shirts. Thank God for private clubs. Keep you on the other side of the gate.

 

[RutgHoops]

Phil (5 majors), Vijay (3 majors), Els (4 majors), Goosen (2 majors), Harrington (3 majors). The idea Tiger played against weak competition/a weak era is silly. And that list doesn't include guys like Furyk, Love, Duval, Sergio, Justin Leonard, Adam Scott, etc. etc.

Its fun watching golf today with all the young American talent in the Top 10, but minimizing the level of player that Tiger pulverized in the late 90's-2000's is ill informed in my opinion.

 

[Jtung230]

DJ is the number 1 player in the world. Horrible example.

Randall Chamblee explained Tiger's situation perfectly. Every facet of his game is worse than it was. He simply isn't the player he was and the players now are better. It's obvious.

DJ is the perfect example here. Woods had 142 consecutive PGA Tour events without missing a cut, from 1998-2005.

No one disagrees with you that Tiger today is no where near the old Tiger. But Tiger would dominate these guys at his prime. Tiger was a great player because of his consistency. You can't be a dominate player if you are missing cuts.

 

[chase07470]

Guess who has made his way into the top ten of another major, on the weekend? The guy who will never win another major, that's who!

This game is day to day but TW is playing, right now, like he can win this thing. The iron play is sublime.

 

[chase07470]

He missed six putts, under 20 feet on the back nine, including one for eagle. He should be at most, two behind Koepka, just putting normally.

It's mental with him now. The game is there. Every time he gets up to the lead, he goes out of his way to not seize it. Today was the most glaring example, yet. He needs to win something, anything and the floodgates might very well open up.

 

[RU848789]

Looked like Tiger might go really low today, but his putter failed him again. Was 4 under through 8 and then parred the next 10, including an inexcusable 3-putt from 18 feet on 17 and missing a few other makeable putts. But he still shot 66 and is in the hunt at 8 under with Keopka at -12 right now and a ton of folks at -7 and -8 (Scott and Woodland are at -9).

 

[mikebal9]

He missed six putts, under 20 feet on the back nine, including one for eagle. He should be at most, two behind Koepka, just putting normally.

It's mental with him now. The game is there. Every time he gets up to the lead, he goes out of his way to not seize it. Today was the most glaring example, yet. He needs to win something, anything and the floodgates might very well open up.

You say this like 20 footers are supposed to be made. You do realize that putts outside 15 feet are made under 20% of the time on tour, right?

 

[chase07470]

You say this like 20 footers are supposed to be made. You do realize that putts outside 15 feet are made under 20% of the time on tour, right?

How about inside 10 feet? Three feet?

95% inside three feet.
Missed a couple inside 10 feet, that's 50%
Three outside 10 feet, none more than 20 feet. Should have made one of those.

That would put him at 11 under, two behind where Koepka was when I posted.

Hank Haney says all the time, "Tiger doesn't get it." Should practice putting all the time, yet he ignores it. Strange...and costly.

 

[Abro1975]

If Tiger could still putt he would be leading by 5 strokes. Yet he still has a shot.

 

[RickB113]

Tiger is so close. I agree he just needs to win something and the flood gates may open. Next year will be his year. Tiger is nowhere near the golfer he once was and he is still right there with the best. In his prime he would make Rory, JT etc cry at night.

 

[Jtung230]

I’m more interested in talking about Speith. He throws away the tournament with one hole. No idea what he was trying to do there.

 

[HALL85]

Tiger had a great front nine yesterday and he’s playing like a top 30 golfer. I don’t like his pairing with Woodland since he’s likely to fade. I don’t see “floodgates” opening if he wins one, but clearly he’s back in the hunt.

Watch out for Justin Thomas today. If you want to make a case for someone who should have gone low yesterday if he putted a little better, he would be it.

Great leaderboard for the final round.

 

[wisr01]

I’m more interested in talking about Speith. He throws away the tournament with one hole. No idea what he was trying to do there.

Agreed and I have to think it is some sort of mental issue. It seems like he goes for the HR recovery and ends up triple bogeying the hole to eliminate himself.

 

[Postman_1]

Ugh he cant find a fairway today.

 

[WhiteBus]

Ugh he cant find a fairway today.

He is finding the bottom of the cup however!

 

[Postman_1]

He is finding the bottom of the cup however!

Somehow, someway, Tiger Woods just shot 3-under 32 on the front side without hitting a single fairway. He makes the turn two shots behind leader Brooks Koepka.

Lets GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Tigerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[mikebal9]

10 putts in 9 holes. That works.

 

[Doctor Worm]

I know very little about golf. But I do know that if the length of the putt is 27 ft 10 inches, and you hit it 27 feet 9 and 15/16 inches, it doesn't go in.

And yes, Tiger is the only reason I care.

 

[Postman_1]

Tiger...Tiger...Tiger...

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I love how you guys keep ignoring the fact that there’s a guy right behind him, by a stroke, who has two more holes to play than Tiger so don’t go using up the “happy tissues” just yet.

 

[shields]

Go Brooke!

 

[shields]

Tiger may be done now the way Scott is playing.

 

[dvb91]

Win or lose, Tiger is back. He's proved to himself that he can compete with the best. He needed to show himself that he is there. I was thinking he might slip out of the running, but he righted to the ship and if a few puts fell, he'd be s co-leader right now.