OT: Annual Tiger Woods Comeback Thread

chase07470

All-American
Oct 16, 2010
10,118
8,378
113
All-time WGC wins (updated) ...
18: Tiger
17:
16:
15:
14:
13:
12:
11:
10:
9:
8:
7:
6:
5: DJ
4:
3: Ogilvy, Mickelson
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,311
12,435
82
Big cat in the hunt. I like the fact that he is getting more rounds under his belt before the Masters.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
Big cat in the hunt. I like the fact that he is getting more rounds under his belt before the Masters.

If he could hit the fairways consistently , he would really give himself a great chance, but man, he is soooo erratic off the tee. His swing looks harder and faster than ever.
 

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,611
16,589
113
Big cat in the hunt. I like the fact that he is getting more rounds under his belt before the Masters.

I attended the Valspar early today and followed Rory’s group and Sergio’s group. Saw Tiger on #1but the crowd was too big to follow his group. A pretty difficult course on a chilly day with swirling winds.

I have no question that he can compete on the tour and can win this season.
 

RickB113

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2005
2,271
1,383
0
If he could hit the fairways consistently , he would really give himself a great chance, but man, he is soooo erratic off the tee. His swing looks harder and faster than ever.
He is fine. Actually drive it solid today. Short game is back. So close to winning again. It’s on!!!
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
96,662
70,408
113
Don't look now but Tiger's leading (-5) at the Valspar. Yes it's very early in Round 2.

Funny comment from Phil on the Dan Patrick Show. Asked about Tiger's statement that he was energized by his win and what he thinks of Tiger's chances he said something like...He's outdone me my entire career so I expect him to do it again.
 
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knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
96,662
70,408
113
Extraordinarily weak field. If he can't finish top 3ish here, well...

Spieth, Rory, Garcia, Rose, Scott, Kuchar, Reed, and Stenson. You're right it's not a particularly deep field but there are some big time winners playing. It's more like right now Spieth, Rory, Stenson, and Reed are all playing well below what we've come to expect.

The guy I'm interested in watching this year is Paul Casey who's currently T1. He went from 3rd in the world rankings in 2009 to nowhere to be seen on the US Tour. Over the past couple years he's had some good finishes including a couple lately and has been climbing back up the ladder to 17th.

I had a friend who while in Vegas put some bucks on him for The Masters. 30-1. 3 consecutive Top 6 finishes there. First time I've gambled in anything other than a pool in a long time. I won a Masters pool with Garcia last year so I'm going for 2 in a row.
 

RickB113

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2005
2,271
1,383
0
Extraordinarily weak field. If he can't finish top 3ish here, well...
What??? Ummmm. Spieth, McElroy, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Charlie Hoffman. I am not saying it is the strongest field, but there are some great players struggling with the course. Tiger is almost back. Spieth wet his pants playing with him this week. It is only a matter of time. I actually now believe he will get back to number 1.
 

chase07470

All-American
Oct 16, 2010
10,118
8,378
113
What??? Ummmm. Spieth, McElroy, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Charlie Hoffman. I am not saying it is the strongest field, but there are some great players struggling with the course. Tiger is almost back. Spieth wet his pants playing with him this week. It is only a matter of time. I actually now believe he will get back to number 1.
Me too. Only injury will stop him. His game is very much intact.
Dream scenario unfolding for golf fans. Old Tiger Woods vs the young guns...going to be glorious.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,427
44,445
113
Extraordinarily weak field. If he can't finish top 3ish here, well...
Just stop. Now you're being ridiculous. If Tiger stays healthy you know he will be a top 5 golfer again - not dominant like he was, as he's too old for that, but highly competitive, will win some tournaments and maybe even another major or two. If he can stay healthy. Let me repeat - if he can stay healthy. That's the only real question here.
 

RickB113

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2005
2,271
1,383
0
Bottom line is nobody expected Tiger to have this kind of club head speed. He is driving it right there with the long hitters. His short game among the best in the world. Which by the Cali you said would be nowhere near as good as it was. That was flat out wrong. He just has to continue to keep tightening things up. He is right on track. The intimidation will be real again on Sundays when he is in the mix playing like this.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,311
12,435
82
I hope the old Tiger golf game comes back but not the old personality. Much easier to root for now.
 

RutHut_rivals

All-Conference
Aug 11, 2017
4,483
4,903
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I hope the old Tiger golf game comes back but not the old personality. Much easier to root for now.
Good point. I really doubt that the old personality returns. I would think he realizes that the next few years will be his last hurrah and he'll try to enjoy it. He won't be dominant again but it will be fun watching him compete.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
96,662
70,408
113
Good point. I really doubt that the old personality returns. I would think he realizes that the next few years will be his last Harrah and he'll try to enjoy it. He won't be dominant again but it will be fun watching him compete.

It seems to me he's interacted with his playing partners more in the last 2 tourneys than I've seen him do in the 20+ previous years. I agree his outlook has changed. I look back to the past 2 Ryder Cups where as an ***'t he had to have a totally different relationship with the players. Perhaps that has caused him to take down the wall he built around himself. It'd be nice to think he realized he doesn't need to be the d!ck he was to others for two decades.
 

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,611
16,589
113
Good point. I really doubt that the old personality returns. I would think he realizes that the next few years will be his last hurrah and he'll try to enjoy it. He won't be dominant again but it will be fun watching him compete.

Tiger was signing fan autographs after his practice round on Tuesday this week at Valspar. Looks like he has dropped the arrogant approach and is embracing those outside the ropes. This will win him many more fans who didn’t like the old Tiger.

Rory, OTOH, blew off the fans on Tuesday at Valspar while other players were signing kids autographs. Rory played poorly this week, as did Speith and Stenson. Even top players go thru periods of playing poorly. Golf Analysts are saying that Speith may have a putting problem that needs to be fixed.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
96,662
70,408
113
Tiger was signing fan autographs after his practice round on Tuesday this week at Valspar. Looks like he has dropped the arrogant approach and is embracing those outside the ropes. This will win him many more fans who didn’t like the old Tiger.

Rory, OTOH, blew off the fans on Tuesday at Valspar while other players were signing kids autographs. Rory played poorly this week, as did Speith and Stenson. Even top players go thru periods of playing poorly. Golf Analysts are saying that Speith may have a putting problem that needs to be fixed.

From what I've seen calling Spieth's putting a problem is an understatement. He's still a great lag putter but seems lost from 10' in. Rory isn't far behind. Stenson didn't have a birdie Thursday for the 1st time in 180+ consecutive competitive rounds.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
Adam Scott had fallen off in recent years as well. Probably a combination of age plus rule against the long belly putters now. And Stevie no longer on his bag.

Funny, McElroy was dominant for only about 2-3 years, then Spieth seemed to surpass him, now Dustin Johnson has zipped right by both of them. Will be interesting to see how long he stays #1. He has little charisma though, which doesn’t help the Tour.
 

RutHut_rivals

All-Conference
Aug 11, 2017
4,483
4,903
0
Adam Scott had fallen off in recent years as well. Probably a combination of age plus rule against the long belly putters now. And Stevie no longer on his bag.

Funny, McElroy was dominant for only about 2-3 years, then Spieth seemed to surpass him, now Dustin Johnson has zipped right by both of them. Will be interesting to see how long he stays #1. He has little charisma though, which doesn’t help the Tour.
When you're an animal and can hit the ball as long as him, I don't think you need charisma to be a fan favorite. Definitely a contingent of fans who like the robot like approach like Steve Stricker, etc.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
Tiger now tied for the lead at -7, after starting the day 4 back .

TIger's line through 9: 3/7 fairways hit 6/9 GIR 12 putts
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
TIGER a stroke back , tied for 2nd with Rose and Snedeker behind the unknown Canadian Conners.. Appears to be in the next to last group tomorrow with Snedeker. Tiger missed a bunch of 10 foot putts that could have put in the lead, but hitting it well. Drove the ball pretty good. His short game sharp. . Driving very long. Setting up for a great Sunday, and in a few weeks, maybe the highest TV ratings MASTERS ever. He is still the straw that stirs the drink on the PGA.
 

chase07470

All-American
Oct 16, 2010
10,118
8,378
113
Quick assessment of where he's at...

His drive on 14 was the fastest swing recorded by any golfer on the PGA Tour this year.

Let that sink in.

Remember all the nonsense about chipping yips? He's gained four shots on the field chipping and is in the top five in the field this week.

Really all that's left is to see if the Sunday closer guy is still intact. This will be the 70th time Tiger Woods is at/within 1 of the lead after 54 holes on the PGA Tour. Incredibly, he has gone on to win 62 of the previous 69 instances.

Vegas has him at 2-1 to close this out.
 
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RickB113

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2005
2,271
1,383
0
This is the most excited I have been for a round of golf in years. Regardless of what happens his play is showing signs of being elite again. If he can tighten up his drives he will get back to number 1.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
TV ratings this afternoon will be off the charts.

"But what about Sunday? How will Woods respond to the pressure of trying to return to the winner's circle after such a long layoff? Forget about just getting ready for the Masters in April. Tomorrow could be epic. Count three-time major winner Padraig Harrington among those who expect Woods actually will be sharper when it's crunch time."

"With nine holes to go, everything goes out the door and you forget about everything and you just think about how do I get this job done?" Harrington said. "Every one reverts to type under pressure and we like Tiger's type."
http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2018/03/10/tiger-woods-round-3-valspar-championship-highlights

My sister is vacationing on Singer Island, West Palm Beach this month, her and her friends golf. So they decided to make 4pm reservations at The Woods in Jupiter, Tiger's restaurant. They got the last reservation. That place might go crazy if he wins, or even close with a few holes to go. lol.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
96,662
70,408
113
Quick assessment of where he's at...

His drive on 14 was the fastest swing recorded by any golfer on the PGA Tour this year.

Let that sink in.

Remember all the nonsense about chipping yips? He's gained four shots on the field chipping and is in the top five in the field this week.

Really all that's left is to see if the Sunday closer guy is still intact. This will be the 70th time Tiger Woods is at/within 1 of the lead after 54 holes on the PGA Tour. Incredibly, he has gone on to win 62 of the previous 69 instances.

Vegas has him at 2-1 to close this out.

Don't know where you were but Tiger definitely did have the chipping yips his last go round on the tour. As Notah Begay said, for a year all he could do was chip and putt in his back yard. A "yard" that has 4 full greens all set up with different conditions. He brought in a former greenskeeper from Augusta National to put it together. Credit to him for working thru those issues and maybe more so getting his driving under control. Swing speed is great but doesn't mean squat if you are playing your second shot from the trees.
 

chase07470

All-American
Oct 16, 2010
10,118
8,378
113
Don't know where you were but Tiger definitely did have the chipping yips his last go round on the tour. As Notah Begay said, for a year all he could do was chip and putt in his back yard. A "yard" that has 4 full greens all set up with different conditions. He brought in a former greenskeeper from Augusta National to put it together. Credit to him for working thru those issues and maybe more so getting his driving under control. Swing speed is great but doesn't mean squat if you are playing your second shot from the trees.
No yips. He had a technique issue. Yips very rarely go away, it's a nerve issue.

Chipping is total commitment to making the shot you decide to hit, before you hit it. When you don't have confidence where the club head is and start changing your mind/making adjustments during the motion, you can get lost quickly/lose all confidence in your technique. Once you get the technique sorted out, meaning you have the club head on plane throughout the motion, the confidence comes right back and so do the results.
 
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