The Tiger Woods Thread

kiers47 · 19-06-2015 12:59pm

newport2 wrote: »

I was always a fan of his golf. His dominance ruined a lot of tournaments for me watching though, for years it was over before the final round started and the others were playing for second place. Much prefer watching 5-6 people go into the final round with a chance. That's no criticism of Tiger by the way. Whenever Messi's playing at his best the other team is still in with a shout!

Fair point.

Tbh i enjoy watching guys streak away from the field as much as seeing the close battles down the stretch.

Sports for me need 1 or 2 superstars to keep it interesting.

Boskowski · 19-06-2015 1:19pm

kiers47 wrote: »

I think it was hard not to be a fan for his dominance. It would be like being a soccer fan and not being a fan of Lionel Messi.

As David Feherty said in a piece on the golf channel before... of the 10 best shots he's ever been there to witness on course. Tiger has played 11 of them.

As much of a tiger fan that I am the best shot I ever saw someone playing was Oosthuizens albatross in the masters. Everything about it, the swing, the strike, the result - it was just pure.

Dolph Starbeam · 19-06-2015 1:23pm

Boskowski wrote: »

As much of a tiger fan that I am the best shot I ever saw someone playing was Oosthuizens albatross in the masters. Everything about it, the swing, the strike, the result - it was just pure.

Really? I don't think it was that special. The whole green slopes down towards the hole and every year a few shots go very close when that pin position is used.

Boskowski · 19-06-2015 2:44pm

YayaBanana wrote: »

Really? I don't think it was that special. The whole green slopes down towards the hole and every year a few shots go very close when that pin position is used.

I suppose that's true I'm just a big fan of Oosthuizens swing and a perfectly struck long iron that is long and true with a touch of draw is just a thing of beauty in my opinion. This one was all of that. Bit like a 30 yard bullet that just zips into the top corner ever so slightly clipping both crossbar and post. Goalie rooted to the spot watching in awe. I just love that kinda stuff and Oosthuizens shot is something I dream at night about doing myself. Some day maybe.

sky88 · 19-06-2015 3:05pm

newport2 wrote: »

I was always a fan of his golf. His dominance ruined a lot of tournaments for me watching though, for years it was over before the final round started and the others were playing for second place. Much prefer watching 5-6 people go into the final round with a chance. That's no criticism of Tiger by the way. Whenever Messi's playing at his best the other team is still in with a shout!

One of the things i do dislike about tournament golf if someone is playing so good the field has no chance at catching.

Its the same when rory won the us open you admire his great golf but as a spectacle its just hard to watch.

HighLine · 01-07-2015 6:36pm

Why can't Tiger take a swing like below into the actual event? So much slower and more controlled and guess what.... not a fairway missed.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/616292257415561216

Speak Now · 02-07-2015 2:51pm

HighLine wrote: »

Why can't Tiger take a swing like below into the actual event? So much slower and more controlled and guess what.... not a fairway missed.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/616292257415561216

Maybe he has today

-2 after 6. Driving accuracy 100%

pistol_75 · 02-07-2015 2:59pm

He's back

kiers47 · 02-07-2015 3:03pm

pistol_75 wrote: »

He's back

Haha you beat me to it!!! :rolleyes:

kiers47 · 02-07-2015 3:05pm

Just looking at shot tracker he has hit his first 6 fairways and green of par 3.

Good to see.

HighLine · 02-07-2015 3:10pm

And another bird on his 7th... after a fairly lengthy "Tiger line" 300+ yard carry over water to leave himself with a mere flick of a wedge. -3

HighLine · 02-07-2015 3:12pm

Maybe he listened...

https://twitter.com/JasonSobelESPN/status/616604540855545856

Speak Now · 02-07-2015 3:19pm

HighLine wrote: »

And another bird on his 7th... after a fairly lengthy "Tiger line" 300+ yard carry over water to leave himself with a mere flick of a wedge. -3

And then drives into the water on 17!!

Boskowski · 02-07-2015 3:25pm

I had a feeling he was going to be better this week. Apparently didn't hit a ball since chambers bay but went on holidays with his kids instead. If that doesn't relax you I don't know what will.

Speak Now · 02-07-2015 3:31pm

Isn't the Greenbrier where Stuart Appleby shot 59 to win.

ForeRight · 02-07-2015 4:11pm

Boskowski wrote: »

I had a feeling he was going to be better this week. Apparently didn't hit a ball since chambers bay but went on holidays with his kids instead. If that doesn't relax you I don't know what will.

We should try organise for Padraig to go on holiday with tigers kids

HighLine · 02-07-2015 4:56pm

Sounds like back to normal on the 6th hole.. all over the shop.

HighLine · 02-07-2015 5:40pm

But recovered well to finish with 3 birdies in a row for an opening 66 (-4).

WHIP IT! · 02-07-2015 5:47pm

Boskowski wrote: »

I had a feeling he was going to be better this week. Apparently didn't hit a ball since chambers bay but went on holidays with his kids instead. If that doesn't relax you I don't know what will.

You've never been on holiday with kids, have you?

markthespark77 · 02-07-2015 5:49pm

very good first round for him,considering how he has being playing lately.. it would have been a nice round to watch id say.

SaveOurLyric · 02-07-2015 9:53pm

Looking good for the Open now. Hard to see anyone challenging him in truth. Could even get him back in the running for a string of majors.

LinksLad · 03-07-2015 4:23am

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Looking good for the Open now. Hard to see anyone challenging him in truth. Could even get him back in the running for a string of majors.

One round a receptive course, four shots behind the leader. Where to begin....

I hope he's improved from the way below average player he's become, but honestly, really, are you talking about "a string of majors"???

Get a grip! (then re-grip)

Keegan Bradley dancing classes also available, apply within...

Polo Pete · 03-07-2015 4:32am

Boskowski wrote: »

I had a feeling he was going to be better this week. Apparently didn't hit a ball since chambers bay but went on holidays with his kids instead. If that doesn't relax you I don't know what will.

Eh do you have kids?

Rikand · 03-07-2015 7:47am

I'd imagine boskowski does have kids and that's exactly the joke

Boskowski · 03-07-2015 3:09pm

No kids, no. Really thought it sounded nice. But on second thoughts I get what others are on about.
It's just you never imagine the rich and famous having to deal with tired and nervy kids themselves. You couldn't see Tiger in a 7 seater, everybody on edge after a 4 hour drive, kids screaming at the back for McDonald's or a DVD or something while he sorts out the toll money slowly losing the will to live. You'd imagine that only happens to the likes of us.

Rikand · 03-07-2015 10:56pm

So conflicted

He just can't help himself

Russman · 03-07-2015 11:02pm

That looks like an even dodgier drop than the one in Sawgrass a couple of years ago !!

Rikand · 03-07-2015 11:18pm

Oh tiger.

That 4th shot on 17
That tee shot on 18

Rikand · 03-07-2015 11:23pm

Come on tiger!

Rikand · 03-07-2015 11:30pm

Sky giving tigers drop on 17 the once over

HighLine · 03-07-2015 11:30pm

Russman wrote: »

That looks like an even dodgier drop than the one in Sawgrass a couple of years ago !!

Yep.. for sure looked iffy when I saw it. Maybe he played a big cut... but even still, it wouldn't be at that point of entry.

ForeRight · 03-07-2015 11:34pm

HighLine wrote: »

Yep.. for sure looked iffy when I saw it. Maybe he played a big cut... but even still, it wouldn't be at that point of entry.

When you see his drive from behind it starts off straight down the middle so obviously tailed in at the end of its flight.
I don't really see the issue at all

slave1 · 04-07-2015 2:04am

I think....he's standing close to the ball with his iron shots, some of his iron shots were as good as ever, he's lost weight and looks in great shape, it's a great relief watched good Tiger

Boskowski · 04-07-2015 9:24am

Watched yesterdays round. First time in a while I could bear to watch the whole way and I must say - he said it himself a few times - he IS not that far off. His irons are as good as ever and he putted really well. (Wouldn't read too much into the one bad chip on what was it, 17?) Also his tee shots when played at - say 80% - are perfect. The trouble starts when he tries to open up and let fly off the tee.
You could actually see what the's trying to do. He gets himself into a state of confidence with good play and good tee shots and then he goes 'this is nice, I think I'll chance a ripper now' and 'fore right' it is. He could actually contend without the rippers, but seems he's not happy with that. I guess he's Tiger Woods after all.

Somebody made a sarcastic comment earlier on this thread (which I quite liked, cos its all so ridiculously extreme with the comments on him) back to dominance, string of majors, Open guaranteed. Well obviously not that, but I'd say he will be in the mix and I'm looking forward to it.

As for this week. It feels he is more about getting back to what he thinks is his game rather than winning a tournament. Hence the tee shot experiments. But I reckon he will be on the first page on Sunday night which is not bad for a fella trying to find his game.

Edit: Can we have a Tiger Woods thread please? Like we have one for Padraic and Lowry? We could turn even this one into it if the OP and the mods agree?

fullstop · 04-07-2015 10:13am

ForeRight wrote: »

When you see his drive from behind it starts off straight down the middle so obviously tailed in at the end of its flight.
I don't really see the issue at all

You don't see the issue?! The ball landed about 10 yards into the water and he wanders up and drops it beside where it splashed. There is no way in hell it crossed the hazard there, even if he did play a massive cut. Looking at the ball flights on protracer wil tell you that. But he'll get away with it as he always does.

SaveOurLyric · 04-07-2015 10:37am

He has manoeuvred himself nicely into contention just four shots off the lead with 36 to play, and will have all those ahead of him looking over their shoulders nervously. He is plotting his way nicely around this track - hitting it superbly when not trying to hit it all out, which just shows how much he has in reserve. Yet he is just exploring where that power limit is this week, as part of his structured strategy to peak at St Andrews. He may well pick up the winners cheque tomorrow, but really, its only a staging post to the bigger prize.

zuutroy · 05-07-2015 5:45pm

Very solid round today so far. If the putter wasn't ice cold he could have been among the clubhouse leaders.

Rikand · 05-07-2015 6:00pm

zuutroy wrote: »

Very solid round today so far. If the putter wasn't ice cold he could have been among the clubhouse leaders.

If he wasn't so keen to flash it with the driver at 600 mph he'd be there anyway

zuutroy · 05-07-2015 6:20pm

Yea I guess driver cost him 6 shots over the 4 rounds. Still...only missed one fairway today and that wasn't by much.

downthemiddle · 05-07-2015 8:12pm

Boskowski wrote: »

I had a feeling he was going to be better this week. Apparently didn't hit a ball since chambers bay but went on holidays with his kids instead. If that doesn't relax you I don't know what will.

Obviously this is not the holiday where he gets to explain to the kids why Mom smashed the back window of the car with a 7 iron.

TheNap · 06-07-2015 11:38am

I dont get Tiger . Why does he try smash to driver when it keeps costing him shots.

Surely there is more pride in competing for tournaments than driving the ball 350 yards

FixdePitchmark · 06-07-2015 11:49am

TheNap wrote: »

I dont get Tiger . Why does he try smash to driver when it keeps costing him shots.

Surely there is more pride in competing for tournaments than driving the ball 350 yards

Because that is his swing.

What looks like a smash to us is just a swing.

Not very easy to change tempo in golf.

Anyway he won everything there is with what looks like a smash. He can also smash irons over 240 yards with draw from rough to 8 feet for eagle putts .

Everyone has weak parts of their game . But score is all that counts.

I'd attribute much of his injuries to swing speed. But it won him hat loads too.

Changing swing speed is not easy at all.

Rikand · 06-07-2015 12:21pm

TheNap wrote: »

I dont get Tiger . Why does he try smash to driver when it keeps costing him shots.

Surely there is more pride in competing for tournaments than driving the ball 350 yards

You wouldnt have told Seve to not slash it with a driver. Even if you did, he wouldnt have listened..... that's just his way....

davo10 · 06-07-2015 1:37pm

TheNap wrote: »

I dont get Tiger . Why does he try smash to driver when it keeps costing him shots.

It's the rage against time, it happens to us all. We all believe we will continue to hit the ball like a 25 year old even when we are 50. We swing harder and buy the latest technology in drivers to prove to ourselves we can still hit it as far as we used to. It's in his nature to try harder to show he can still do it, asking him to stop is like asking Messi to run a bit slower so that he can control the ball better.

First Up · 06-07-2015 2:19pm

davo10 wrote: »

It's the rage against time, it happens to us all. We all believe we will continue to hit the ball like a 25 year old even when we are 50. We swing harder and buy the latest technology in drivers to prove to ourselves we can still hit it as far as we used to. It's in his nature to try harder to show he can still do it, asking him to stop is like asking Messi to run a bit slower so that he can control the ball better.

Not quite. Some players can leave their ego in the locker room, or at least in the bag. Tiger is a bit of a mess on that front.

davo10 · 06-07-2015 3:12pm

First Up wrote: »

Not quite. Some players can leave their ego in the locker room, or at least in the bag. Tiger is a bit of a mess on that front.

I disagree in this case, for 15 years he had been the best golfer on the planet and some would say, the best who ever hit the small ball. It's not easy to leave that behind in the locker room or the bag, that's why many of the best sports stars like to retire at the top before their powers fade and they become mere mortals. I don't like him personally but as I said, asking him to slow down and not try to hit the ball as far is to ask him to change his whole persona, he won't do it because if he did, in his mind it would be to admit that he just isn't able to cut it with the big boys anymore, that's a difficult thing to admit for a sporting great.

First Up · 06-07-2015 5:25pm

davo10 wrote: »

I disagree in this case, for 15 years he had been the best golfer on the planet and some would say, the best who ever hit the small ball. It's not easy to leave that behind in the locker room or the bag, that's why many of the best sports stars like to retire at the top before their powers fade and they become mere mortals. I don't like him personally but as I said, asking him to slow down and not try to hit the ball as far is to ask him to change his whole persona, he won't do it because if he did, in his mind it would be to admit that he just isn't able to cut it with the big boys anymore, that's a difficult thing to admit for a sporting great.

It goes beyond his golf. His ultra competitive psyche was nurtured by his military father almost from infancy and it manifests itself in all sorts of ways - Navy Seal training, his weight-lifting competitions with Steve Williams, his 10 hours a day workouts and many more - see Hank Haney's book for an inside look.

That may be his personality - even the essence of him - but on the golf course, it just isn't how to battle the inevitable decline that comes with ageing. He was 32 when he won his last Major; that is the AVERAGE age of Major winners. Tom Watson won his last aged 33, Arnold Palmer 34 - even Seve was only 31. If Tiger was going to win many or even any more, he should have done it by now.

Nicklaus was something of an oddity winning the Master at the age of 46 and he didn't do it by trying to bomb it as far as the young tyros. Nicklaus said that nobody played golf as well as Tiger did as a young man. But nobody played it better than Jack as an older man. Tiger is 40 in December; he better start getting used to it.

davo10 · 06-07-2015 6:29pm

First Up wrote: »

It goes beyond his golf. His ultra competitive psyche was nurtured by his military father almost from infancy and it manifests itself in all sorts of ways - Navy Seal training, his weight-lifting competitions with Steve Williams, his 10 hours a day workouts and many more - see Hank Haney's book for an inside look.

Brandel chamblee said the same thing, Gary Player responded by saying he was talking complete s**t. Player was the first golfer to advocate fitness, strength and conditioning as an essential part of a golfers training and practice. Fifty years ago people were saying the same thing as you are about Player.

First Up · 06-07-2015 7:00pm

davo10 wrote: »

Brandel chamblee said the same thing, Gary Player responded by saying he was talking complete s**t. Player was the first golfer to advocate fitness, strength and conditioning as an essential part of a golfers training and practice. Fifty years ago people were saying the same thing as you are about Player.

Absolutely not. Nobody in golf for the last thirty years has any doubt about the importance of strength, stamina and conditioning. Tiger's obsessions go way beyond that and a substantial part of his spate of injuries is due to him going way beyond what makes sense. S

Sports science has a pretty good handle on what works and what is counter productive and downright stupid and some of his reported adventures are most definitely in the latter category.

HighLine · 12-07-2015 2:27pm

Photo confirms what a highly respected publication the Daily Mail is

https://twitter.com/ESPNGolf/status/620220081042165761

The Tiger Woods Thread

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