841 replies to this topic

[Zomp]

WBV, though I agree with you that Tiger was probably hurt (and I hate both Tiger and Phil), I'm not sure the money and FedEx point angle is a valid point for your argument. He's got more money then he knows what to do with and its always been about winning tournaments with Tiger, specifically majors.

[WayBackVazquez]

WBV, though I agree with you that Tiger was probably hurt (and I hate both Tiger and Phil), I'm not sure the money and FedEx point angle is a valid point for your argument. He's got more money then he knows what to do with and its always been about winning tournaments with Tiger, specifically majors.

I agree the prize money for the tournament wouldn't be a huge factor (though 75 grand for 6 holes ain't bad), but FedEx points (and Ryder Cup points) though, I sure do believe he cares about. FedEx cup winner gets $10 million, and you can bet he doesn't ever want to have to be a captain's pick in international competition again.

[Lupe Whalewatch]

45 FedEx cup points in March...yeah, run with that.

[terrynever]

Cell phone cameras may have played a role in Mickelson's WD:

http://espn.go.com/g...mera-phone-rule

[Zomp]

Tiger has the putter going today so far.

Don't want to jinx him but this is the best I've seen him off the tee in a long time.

Good chance at 7 to pick up a 2 putt birdie.

[cshea]

TIGER FUCKING WOODS

[johnmd20]

TIGER FUCKING WOODS

That was one of the best shots I have ever seen. Really amazing.

[Dave Stapleton]

TIGER FUCKING WOODS

Reminiscint of the Tiger of old right there.

[Dave Stapleton]

That was one of the best shots I have ever seen. Really amazing.

That's exactly what Jack said.

[cshea]

That was one of the best shots I have ever seen. Really amazing.

Reminded me of his chip on 16 in the '05 Masters. Unbelievable. All the annoucers are talking about how he'll be lucky to get it within 6 feet, and he knocks it right in.

[Comfortably Lomb]

Reminiscint of the Tiger of old right there.

That was old Tiger.

[Greg29fan]

Tiger isn't going to lose to Rory Sabbatini.

[cshea]

It might be over now.

[Dave Stapleton]

Jack just said it again. Gutsiest shot he's ever seen. This sport is so much better when Tiger plays well.

[bball831]

[patinorange]

Center cut.

[bball831]

How the hell do you not have a boom mic out there to pick up that conversation?

[Greg29fan]

fuckin awesome

[SouthernBoSox]

Felt much more tigerish than his last win, as weird as that sounds.

[Average Reds]

Felt much more tigerish than his last win, as weird as that sounds.

Doesn't sound weird at all.

The last win was Tiger winning like any player on tour. This was Tiger winning like Tiger Woods wins. He looked to be in near-total control of his game from tee to green and he pulled out the gutsy shot(s) when he needed them.

Been a long time since we've seen Vintage Tiger.

[WayBackVazquez]

Except that he's won at least as many of his 73 PGA wins like he did at Bay Hill, intimidating his Sunday partner and winning by FIVE STROKES. You may think that's how any old PGA winner does it, but I don't.* Sorry for all the haters, but I guess the best player in the world is still a quitting, injury-faking, wife cheater.

Edit: average reds, I'm not calling you one of the haters. But Clears Cleaver, I may be looking your way.

* So far there have been 24 PGA events played this season. Only 2 have been by more than 3 strokes, and none bigger than Tiger's 5-stroke win at Bay Hill (in one of the biggest non-major tournaments).

Edited by WayBackVazquez, 03 June 2012 - 11:34 PM.

[OldSaintJohn]

Eh. McDowell looked Tiger right in the eyes and dropped a bomb for eagle on 6 at Bay Hill, and Tiger played the last 10 holes +1. Not entirely sure there was a lot of intimidation going on that day.

Dufner and Z. Johnson ran away from the field last week, I'm not sure anyone would say that those two guys intimidated the other 70.

Devil's advocate, I know, but let's not act like Bay Hill was vintage Sunday Tiger, because it wasn't.

[WayBackVazquez]

He won by five strokes on the PGA tour. He shot the low round on Sunday. He dominated the tournament.

[OldSaintJohn]

He missed the low round by two strokes. Yeah, he blew the field out of the water, but so did Carl Petterssen a few weeks back. I just don't think that one had to do with intimidation and being vintage Tiger, that's all I was saying.

[WayBackVazquez]

Okay, the low round in the last 16 groups. And yes, ONE other win on the PGA tour was by five strokes. One out of 24. Nearly every story you read about his win at Bay Hill will say "vintage Tiger." You can describe it how you will, but he's won tournaments lots of ways, and most of them were more like bay hill than today. Either way, it won't be the last. This year.

Also, seriously? McDowell "looked him in the eye" and eagled 6 (as Tiger birdied it) to tie him on the round at that point. And then dropped 2 strokes in the next three holes. Okay, he wasn't intimidated, fine. Tiger is better. As he has been for the last 15 years consistently.

He hit an amazing shot today. He's done that a bunch. He's also gotten the majority of his wins when he was leading after 54 holes. I suppose you could call either "vintage Tiger." I'm just not buying he crossed some barrier today.

Edited by WayBackVazquez, 04 June 2012 - 02:29 AM.

[Average Reds]

He hit an amazing shot today. He's done that a bunch. He's also gotten the majority of his wins when he was leading after 54 holes. I suppose you could call either "vintage Tiger." I'm just not buying he crossed some barrier today.

My poorly articulated point was that I felt like Tiger was more confident over the ball today and in complete control of his game tee to green, regardless of what the rest of the field was doing.

This was not to dismiss what he did earlier in the year at Bay Hill. He had a great week at Arnold's tournament, and he won going away. Today was terrific confirmation that his game - especially his short game - is back and the "vintage Tiger" comment (at least mine) was more about the moment he provided on 16 than anything else.

[johnmd20]

Edit: average reds, I'm not calling you one of the haters. But Clears Cleaver, I may be looking your way.

Uh oh, Clears had better watch out now that you're on the case. You might even make him cry. Seriously, who made you the judge and jury and executioner of everything Tiger Woods? And you couldn't be any bigger of a dick about it. Personally I couldn't be happier he is playing well and winning, it's better for golf and it is without a doubt more fun to watch. Watching him yesterday was awesome and I was absolutely rooting for him. Yet you called me a hater b/c I called him a drama queen and a quitter. One can be a fan and also speak the truth.

The US Open has already gotten a lot more exciting now that Tiger appears like he'll be in the hunt. Rory McIlroy is doing too much hanging out with his girlfriend and not enough work on the golf course. He has SUCKED since March. He better pick it up or else he will be a non-event at the Open. Here's hoping both Tiger and Rory are in the hunt in two weeks.

[SouthernBoSox]

I guess when I said it felt more tigerish, it had more to do with it being late on Sunday, Tiger being in contention, and being CERTAIN he was going to some how win.

It wasn't because he was dominant or whatever. It was because at the end of the day you felt he was going to get it done one way or the other. I personally haven't felt that way watching Tiger in a long time.

[FL4WL3SS]

So yeah, I was on the 18th green for Tiger's birdie putt which we knew was the winning putt as soon as it dropped. One of the coolest sports experiences of my life - being able to watch Tiger win a tournament live and tie Jack on the all-time wins list.

I saw a clip of Tiger's putt on 18 on golf channel this morning and I'm definitely somewhere in the background, pretty awesome. We didn't see the chip in on 16 since we were camped out on 18, but we heard the roar and then it was pretty surreal to hear the chatter make it's way to the 18th green "Tiger just chipped in on 16, he's got a 1 stroke lead!"

I said it to the group of people I was with "As soon as Levine bogies a hole, he'll fall apart and you'll see Tiger jump up" and it's exactly what happened. I said Friday afternoon that I thought Tiger had a great chance of winning and it was palpable all weekend at the course. There was definitely a buzz both Saturday and Sunday; the excitement at the course was awesome when he started to make a charge up the leaderboard.

I'm still pretty excited about the experience... I also still may be drunk.

[Greg29fan]

Bay Hill felt like much more of a "Vintage Tiger" win than this one. To me, Vintage Tiger is taking a lead into the final round and then maintaining or extending the lead. I don't think of Tiger as really a big comeback guy - I know he did it yesterday and back in 2000 at the Pebble Beach for two, but almost all of his big wins have been accomplished by taking leads into the final round.

[Comfortably Lomb]

Bay Hill felt like much more of a "Vintage Tiger" win than this one. To me, Vintage Tiger is taking a lead into the final round and then maintaining or extending the lead. I don't think of Tiger as really a big comeback guy - I know he did it yesterday and back in 2000 at the Pebble Beach for two, but almost all of his big wins have been accomplished by taking leads into the final round.

This comes up a lot but I think when he's "on" he just doesn't generally need to come from behind. When he's not on he's less likely to mount a comeback.

---------------

As an aside, I just don't get the Tiger hate coming from some in this thread. He's a lot more interesting now than he ever was when he was pretending to be a squeaky clean one-dimensional robot 5 years ago. There's some serious underlying anger in some posts in this thread - its weird.

[WayBackVazquez]

Uh oh, Clears had better watch out now that you're on the case. You might even make him cry. Seriously, who made you the judge and jury and executioner of everything Tiger Woods? And you couldn't be any bigger of a dick about it. Personally I couldn't be happier he is playing well and winning, it's better for golf and it is without a doubt more fun to watch. Watching him yesterday was awesome and I was absolutely rooting for him. Yet you called me a hater b/c I called him a drama queen and a quitter. One can be a fan and also speak the truth.

The US Open has already gotten a lot more exciting now that Tiger appears like he'll be in the hunt. Rory McIlroy is doing too much hanging out with his girlfriend and not enough work on the golf course. He has SUCKED since March. He better pick it up or else he will be a non-event at the Open. Here's hoping both Tiger and Rory are in the hunt in two weeks.

My bad. I didn't realize you were a fan who was just keeping it real when you were accusing him of setting up a long con on the practice tee on Sunday a couple of months back before he faked an injury in a tournament where he was -6 through twelve holes. I guess I got confused when you said "I don't ever mind rooting against Tiger."

[bostonbeerbelly]

Rory - 2
Tiger - 1

Rory - 2
Tiger - 2

[DannyHeep]

This comes up a lot but I think when he's "on" he just doesn't generally need to come from behind. When he's not on he's less likely to mount a comeback.

---------------

As an aside, I just don't get the Tiger hate coming from some in this thread. He's a lot more interesting now than he ever was when he was pretending to be a squeaky clean one-dimensional robot 5 years ago. There's some serious underlying anger in some posts in this thread - its weird.

Why can't we say he's a douchbag and a great golfer?

Why can't we say he's great for the game, and enjoy him getting close and losing rather than winning? Maybe we just don't give a fuck about him?

Seriously some of you Tiger lovers are equally to blame for the ballwashing. He's the best golfer of all time, I don't think there is any arguing that point. He'll likely break Jack's record of 18 majors.

He's a also a douchebag(or not, depending on your view). You can hate the man, and respect his talent, that isn't a one or the other choice. You can have both.

[WayBackVazquez]

Why can't we say he's a douchbag and a great golfer?

Why can't we say he's great for the game, and enjoy him getting close and losing rather than winning? Maybe we just don't give a fuck about him?

Seriously some of you Tiger lovers are equally to blame for the ballwashing. He's the best golfer of all time, I don't think there is any arguing that point. He'll likely break Jack's record of 18 majors.

He's a also a douchebag(or not, depending on your view). You can hate the man, and respect his talent, that isn't a one or the other choice. You can have both.

I have absolutely no problem with someone not liking the guy, rooting against him, or hoping he breaks both kneecaps on the way from the practice tee. What I take issue with is when the passionate hatred for the guy causes people to invent fake injuries and/or brainwash themselves into believing (and repeatedly stating) despite all evidence to the contrary that he's just an average golfer, he'll never win on tour again, Brandel Chamblee says he's a doodyhead, so it must be true, etc.

I root against the Yankees; I wish they'd lose every game they play. But if I went around stating that I actually believe they'd never win another game, I'd deserved to get mocked for it when they did. Certain people in here make outrageous statements that are grounded in neither fact nor logic, and then take umbrage when someone deigns to disagree that Tiger has become John Daly.

[DannyHeep]

That's a good point, is anyone really doing that? He had a run there where he wasn't at his best that is for sure.

For me I just thought he needed to get his head straight. Golf is one of those sports that has a large mental aspect to it, Tiger had a lot of shit to think about, time can fix that. He seems to be back in the right mental state, and the physical issues are behind him. I think he'll have a good year, and take down a major.

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Bay Hill felt like much more of a "Vintage Tiger" win than this one. To me, Vintage Tiger is taking a lead into the final round and then maintaining or extending the lead. I don't think of Tiger as really a big comeback guy - I know he did it yesterday and back in 2000 at the Pebble Beach for two, but almost all of his big wins have been accomplished by taking leads into the final round.

Exactly. That was "vintage" Tiger. Leader on Sunday who would grind out par after par, rarely give shots back and force you to come after him. Which led to guys being forced to take risks in an attempt to gain ground and invariably led to them falling back. That was what always impressed me the most about him, that when Sunday rolled around, his game really changed - he'd start hitting stingers and leave the driver in the bag unless someone was making a move on him and he had to reach back and get aggressive.

[SumnerH]

Bay Hill felt like much more of a "Vintage Tiger" win than this one. To me, Vintage Tiger is taking a lead into the final round and then maintaining or extending the lead. I don't think of Tiger as really a big comeback guy

That's absolutely right. I know that as of a couple/3 year ago, he'd never lost a Sunday lead at a major (that might have changed since)--but he's also never won a major that he didn't lead (or share the lead) going into Sunday.

[Dan Murfman]

2009 he led going into the final round of the PGA and shot 75 to lose to YE Yang. Only time he lost a 3rd round lead in a major.

[FL4WL3SS]

That's a good point, is anyone really doing that? He had a run there where he wasn't at his best that is for sure.

For me I just thought he needed to get his head straight. Golf is one of those sports that has a large mental aspect to it, Tiger had a lot of shit to think about, time can fix that. He seems to be back in the right mental state, and the physical issues are behind him. I think he'll have a good year, and take down a major.

He's already having a good year - if you think he's going to take down a major that bumps it up to a great year. If he finishes the year with 2 wins and 1 major, that's a fantastic year.

[cshea]

Nice little story out of the US Open qualifiers yesterday. Casey Martin qualified for the US Open. It'll be his first appearance in a major since the '98 Open.

[cshea]

Dustin Johnson wins the St. Jude Classic in Memphis this week. I had my fingers crossed that we'd get a Rory-DJ playoff, but Rory fell apart on 18. Good to see DJ playing well after missing a few months with a back injury.

[Zomp]

Can DJ play his way into the Ryder Cup top 10 in points? Last time I looked he was way down the list.

[cshea]

Can DJ play his way into the Ryder Cup top 10 in points? Last time I looked he was way down the list.

He's in 10th after winning this week. Current standings:

Bubba, Dufner, Phil, Kuchar, Mahan, Tiger, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, DJ.

http://www.rydercup....m_standings.cfm

Edit: As of now, that's a good looking team. A lot of young guys that can bring some energy to the course and get the crowd going. I assume Steve Stricker gets a captain's pick if he doesn't qualify. Hopefully Phil doesn't shit the bed again.

Edited by cshea, 11 June 2012 - 08:08 AM.

[DukeSox]

I'm going to Friday at the Open. First time attending a pro tournament. What would be the best experience -- camp at a couple holes and watch guys play through? Follow Tiger/Phil/Bubba? Spend half the day following them and the other half camped out? Any other advice for a first-timer?

[SouthernBoSox]

Well, the Phil, Bubba, Tiger group is going to be a complete shit show.

I'd rather sit at a hole for a while, but I hate enormous crowds.

[Zomp]

When I go to tournaments, I usually get there VERY early (as early as they allow) and get to the first tee. I watch all the groups. Then I go to a Par 3 in the middle of the course, try to get near a green, and watch them there.

Some tournaments, after that you can get to 18. Not sure about the open.

[Freddy Linn]

I'm going to Friday at the Open. First time attending a pro tournament. What would be the best experience -- camp at a couple holes and watch guys play through? Follow Tiger/Phil/Bubba? Spend half the day following them and the other half camped out? Any other advice for a first-timer?

If I was going on Thursday/Friday, I would walk the entire course early so that I would know it on the weekend. Then I would park it.

If you choose that route (versus going early straight out to a par-3), one strategy is to camp out on a somewhat random hole where guys hit their approaches - even better on a dogleg par-4 or a reachable par-5. Fewer fans/better views, and closer to the ropes when the goat rodeo horde following Tiger/Phil/Bubba arrives.

I don't know the layout, but check out the range and the putting green if you have a chance.

[WayBackVazquez]

I don't like trying to follow a group. You just end up not ever having a good view. On Sunday in '08 at Torrey Pines, we futzed around in the morning and then grabbed a seat in the stands at 18 early and got to see every group finish up. That was one of the more enjoyable days I've had at a tournament.

You've got to take turns getting beers/food though in order to save your spot.

[Lupe Whalewatch]

Newly crowned US Open champ Webb Simpson skipping next month's Open Championship to be with wifey for birth of child #2.