Running Tiger Woods thread

A 72 today was definitely respectable.

 

FWIW: Woods was lowest in his group today.

 

He's probably at the point where contention is a Jack-in-1986 or Tom-in-2009 proposition, but that's OK. The first time he's on or stalking the lead on the back nine at a major, the roof will come off.

 

With his current swing? Wholeheartedly agree.

 

He's not the longest off the tee anymore, there are dozens longer. So he's got to get more accurate or he will never compete for the lead in any tournament, let alone the majors.

 

Correct. The field was never this deep when he was dominating. He has himself to thank for that. I wouldn't count out a tremendous round here or there at his faves (Augusta, Pebble, St. Andrews). But it's going to be crazy difficult for him to win majors.

 

Plus, guys like Spieth, Day, DJ and Rory learned how to play with steel balls like Tiger. Not like early Phil, Davis Love, Lehman, Couples, etc. who folded a bit when Tiger shot up a leaderboard.
Consider this group -- guys who finished second or tied for second behind Woods for his 14 majors: Els twice, Duval once, Garcia once, Phil once, Goosen once, Montgomerie once and Kite (age 46 years old) once. The rest are DiMarco (twice), May, Bjorn, Micheel, Donald, Austin and Mediate. Schlub City.

 

That was one of the real routs. Worth noting that some of his own runner-up finishes came to guys who never had a sniff of another major, Rich Beem and Yang.

 

Wow that is some trivia; never really took much time thinking about the challengers. Saw replay of 2001 Masters with Phil, Duval chasing, that was pretty damn exciting still (even with Chris Schenkel commentary).

Whatever the merits of those today, Woods won 7 of 11 majors. Let that marinate. IMHO that's the best sign of his greatness.

 

I'll take a step out on a limb and say Tiger contends in at least 2 majors this year. When I say contends, I'll say Top 10.

My bets would be Augusta and the PGA (Quail Hollow).