Running Tiger Woods thread

Mickelson gets plenty of shit for his meh performance at the Ryder Cup, Tiger fanbois just choose to ignore it. At least he's won one in the last decade, unlike Tiger, who by the way, couldn't make a birdie for 17 holes against Francisco Molinari in 2012. If he'd have closed that match out in 14 holes, maybe Stricker and Furyk don't choke like dogs down the stretch knowing it's all on them.

Hal Sutton remains the dumbest fucking Ryder Cup captain in history, btw. Why he paired them together when they couldn't stand each other at that point (I think they've softened in recent years) we'll never know. HOWEVER, as horrible as Mickelson was playing that Cup, he was still amenable to playing with Tiger that day (they played a Nike ball because Tiger refused to play anything else) and in alternate shot, shooting your partner a look of death when he makes a garbage swing is about the most selfish bullshit you can pull.

 

It wasn't exactly a look of death, more of like "next spring at the Masters champions dinner (which was going to be on Phil's dime) I must remember to make a toast about this."

 

Still, some great team vibes for DAY 1 of the Cup. True leadership.

 

There's certainly going to be a what-if to his career, but calling what he did do "good" is a bit of an understatement. At worst, he's the second-best golfer ever. But did things the best golfer never came close to doing (considering Jack never won even 3 majors in a row, I don't think this is hyperbole). Prettty, prettttty, pretttty...good.

And the Nike clubs: Here are his results in majors from 2005 Masters to 2008 U.S. Open: 1, 2, 1, T4, T3, CUT, 1, 1, T2, T2, T12, 1, 2, 1. I'd say the Nike influence didn't do much of anything to hurt him.

What happened? Injuries. Scandal did something permanent to his confidence and persona. That combination.

My favorite thing about anti-Tiger folks is one of their main, weird complaints, is that no one man is bigger than the game and it was bad for the game that he got so much attention and why are you showing him when he's 9 shots off the lead when Tim Herron's having a very good tournament and is in the lead? Those same people are the ones who are most eager to tell us Rory rules golf and will rule golf and it's the Rory Era and do you think Rory can pass Tiger or catch Jack and isn't it wonderful how Rory's such a normal guy and so dominant? What happened to those concerns about one person being bigger than the game? I'm assuming they also complain when Rory's name is listed first when golfers have the same score, even though players listed below him are already in the clubhouse and should be listed above. Since that was an actual thing people got mad at Tiger/TV for.

Fanboi out.

 

Good point on Rory/Tiger. I think Rory is just as big of an a-hole. I guess to be at that level you have to be. I don't begrudge their cockiness. And I enjoy watching them both play. The media does go a little overboard in the coverage, but honestly, who gives a shit about Tim Herron? Only hardcore fans even know who he is

 

But us Minnesotans knew!

I should have added: Even I, who just spent 25 minutes watching highlights of Tiger's Saturday at the 08 Open and am the last non-institutionalized person on earth who thinks he could catch Jack still, can't see anything but total disaster happening at The Masters.

2008 US Open Friday & Saturday highlights - YouTube

 

Rory's assholishness may be underrated — dumping your fiancee by phone two days after invitations to your wedding go out is pretty fucking cold — but he's not in the same universe as Tiger in terms of being a dick. And I say this knowing it will be a detriment to his career. A raging dick would not have blown a four shot lead and shot 80 in the final round of the Masters, and cried on the 10th tee when he hit a house. Nor would a raging asshole have apologized for pulling out of the Honda with a fake toothache and admitted it was a lie. A raging asshole wouldn't be good friends with Sergio Garcia. I think Rory has the talent to win 14 majors, but not the murderous instincts. He is as open and forthcoming about his failings (the Caroline thing aside) in press conferences as any No. 1 golfer we've ever had.

 

I think it's time to retire the old canard that Tiger always tears up Augusta National. It's been 10 years since his last win there.

 

He hasn't broken 70 there the last two times he's played either, 2012 and 2013. Healthy both times.

 

Why are you up at 4 in the morning on anti-Tiger patrol, DD?

It makes sense for me -- I'm six hours ahead and always take the a.m. shift at Team Tiger HQ.

 

Lumpy is one of us.

/MN Real Talk