There's Tiger. Then there's everbody else

[davepratt]

This is wacked. Currently an 8 shot lead at the Buick. Clearly a man among boys. Maybe they should switch the tour to a scramble format. Tiger vs everbody else.

[Richard]

What's scary is his calm demeanor this week, like he knows he is going to win and just hitting shots with no pressure. To me he looks zoned in like never before.

[davepratt]

What's scary is his calm demeanor this week, like he knows he is going to win and just hitting shots with no pressure. To me he looks zoned in like never before.

Agreed. It's like he's taking a walk in the park. Also, I noticed while he was walking down 18 he was laughing and joking with Cink's caddie. A class act.

[hogannut]

It is almost boring watching tournaments with TIger in them. It is a battle for 2nd place. You keep waiting for someone to challenge him and it has yet to happen. At this pace unless something changes he will have 125 wins and 40 majors. Remember if you took Nicklaus' 2nd place finishes he would have had 39 majors, so it is possible.

[The Troll]

It is almost boring watching tournaments with TIger in them.

I turned it on, saw the situation and went to the gym instead.

An impression performance nonetheless....

[Golden Bear]

It's tough to maintain interest when the leader has an 8-stroke lead. Watching a guy make great shot after great shot is fun to watch ... though not for hours on end.

On the bright side, the Qatar Masters is shaping up to be a shootout with a number of great golfers in the mix. So watch the European event for the drama, and the Buick for the showcase.

Turtle Bay could have a fun finish tomorrow, too.

[Up2PAr]

Perhaps the PGA should have A flight and B Flight.... Trouble is only one guy is good enough for the A flight.


Tigers thinking man I can't belive I made bogey on Par 3, 16 R1. What was I thinking how unlike me..... I got to get better.

He's like something out of a comic book but only better.

[golferboy]

Kinda boring to watch....but impressive at the same time....cant wait until the Masters......

[pa-ping]

You guys find watching the greatest golfer of all time boring . How many would have passed up the chance to watch Bobby jones , Snead , or Hogan . We are witnessing the best golf of all time . Sit back , relax and enjoy .He can only play like this for another 20yrs or so .:cool:

[Merlot]

:rofl: It is almost boring watching tournaments with TIger in them. It is a battle for 2nd place. You keep waiting for someone to challenge him and it has yet to happen. At this pace unless something changes he will have 125 wins and 40 majors. Remember if you took Nicklaus' 2nd place finishes he would have had 39 majors, so it is possible.

Its possible. Unless some young guys come out of the 'wood work' or current players suddenly start playing 1and a half stokes better every round scoring wise, this will happen.

There is no reason I can think of that would indicate Tiger cannot be this good or better for another 7 to 10 years. Injury or him simply quiting before his time is up is about all that will stop him. I believe he won't be satisfied untill he has atleast 10 more majors then Jack.

Maybe 6 or 7 years from now, when all the kids of fathers who tried to do a 'Earl Woods' flood the tour and start challenging Tiger.:rofl:

[swingpure]

You guys find watching the greatest golfer of all time boring . How many would have passed up the chance to watch Bobby jones , Snead , or Hogan . We are witnessing the best golf of all time . Sit back , relax and enjoy .He can only play like this for another 20yrs or so .:cool:

werd

Just being able to watch Tiger makes it all worth while. It is the Tigerless tournaments that scramble to hold my attention. I need Mikey to play well in those events.

[golfer40]

i would agree tiger is increable to watch no matter what the score is...

[Big Shooter]

Kinda boring to watch....but impressive at the same time....cant wait until the Masters......

So Tiger's got an 8-shot lead, would you rather be in the same group as him on Sunday, knowing that you're going nowhere (unless Tiger has a bad sandwich at the turn?) :$ OR play in the group before him, where it's more competivitve, and your maybe a lttle more focused? :confused:

[gatsby]

It IS difficult to watch if your desire is to watch a hotly contested match. If we are watching the the best of our era systematically and thoroughly defeat his competion, and know that he can do it, that is ,to me anyway, compelling enough to watch. The problem that I find now is that the Tigerless tourneys are pretty almost second class. Good golf,great golfers but in the back of your mind,you know that if Tiger was there, he might just walk away with that victory as well. Ah well, this morning it is a mere -27 and we might get up to -5 today. A veritable heat wave just in time for it to snow. Looking forward to Victoria Day. lol. Something might be opened by then. Regards

[SW20 MR2]

I love watching Tiger play. People in this generation have been able to witness some of the best athletes in history across all sports. We've been lucky to be able to watch guys like Gretzky, Lemieux, Bonds, Jordan, Federer, etc. These players - some arguably - were the best players ever in their respective sports. To be able to see them all with my own eyes is awesome. It may not be competitive, but to see them destroy their competition is quite the spectacle.

[GQuizzle]

unless Tiger has a bad sandwich at the turn

I don't think that would even phase him

[3whack]

As alluded to during yesterday's telecast, you have to feel sorry for the rest of the field when it comes time for the U.S. Open...the USGA will have it set up to try to make Tiger shoot 15-20 shots higher that week than during the Buick.

So, what will that do to everyone else?

And what about the poor Amateur schmoe that will be playing in the Golf Digest "can the amateur break 100" competition just before the U.S. Open?

The way they are talking about modifying the course for that week, 120 might be safe.

[davepratt]

As alluded to during yesterday's telecast, you have to feel sorry for the rest of the field when it comes time for the U.S. Open...the USGA will have it set up to try to make Tiger shoot 15-20 shots higher that week than during the Buick.

So, what will that do to everyone else?

And what about the poor Amateur schmoe that will be playing in the Golf Digest "can the amateur break 100" competition just before the U.S. Open?

The way they are talking about modifying the course for that week, 120 might be safe.

I feel sorry for the poor saps who are teeing off today on the back nine. There won't be a soul watching them finish up on the front nine.

[caddishack]

Tiger is a double edged blade for not only us the viewers but also the sponsors of the event and the advertisers. I watched yesterday and continued to the end and that just may be because it was my first chance to watch it in high def. Tomorrow I am not sure if I will invest the time to watch an outcome that is known. Advertisers must go nuts over this as they know that to have him show up for an event means more $$$, but when the lead is like this then I can't think that the ratings are worth what the advertisers are paying out.
I love watching Tiger but with leads like this my interest in sitting there watching is greatly diminished. I suppose it's ok to see the occasional great shot by other players and you know when they show someone so far out of the leads shot, that something wonderful is going to happen.

I wish him well but I too like to see a close competitive tournament with a possible chance of a tie breaker. Not happening this week.

[Golden Bear]

werd

Just being able to watch Tiger makes it all worth while. It is the Tigerless tournaments that scramble to hold my attention. I need Mikey to play well in those events.Then you're not watching many non-Tiger tournaments. If, for example, you were watching the Qatar Masters this weekend, you would have seen some fantastic golf -- a tight tournament, until Adam Scott pulled off a 61 in the final round (moving past Stenson who was ahead of Scott, but pulled off a mere 65). Easily the most exciting golf of the weekend.

Watching Tiger put on a show is great once in a while ... but when it's happening five or six times a year and the outcome is determined on Thursday ... it wears a little thin after a while.

Ultimately he'll likely earn the title of greatest golfer of all time ... unfortunately he's so good that it's become a weak era, not because of the quality of his competitors (though that's part of it), but because of the disparity between Tiger and his competitors. Add a second and even a third Tiger and it could be the greatest era of all time ... so hopefully another Tiger comes along soon. No one's on the horizon, though.

It's not something I'm complaining about -- I don't think anyone would complain about Tiger being too good ... it's just a reality that a tournament like the Buick has become a snoozefest and it's hard to find a reason to watch today. It's like watching a rerun of a Super Bowl. It might be a great game between two great teams ... but we've seen it before.

[Lefty17]

Watching Tiger's round yestereday and Adam Scott's today. Golf doesn't get much better!!!!!

[davepratt]

Hohum. Now a 10 shot lead after just one hole. Then you get this poor kid Justin Bolli who was tied for 27th and looking for a nice cheque to help pay the rent and he's now 8 over through 8.

[goshawk]

It's been interesting reading all the comments on the forum concerning Tiger Woods over the past couple of years. It's been pretty polarized. There are those who really enjoy watching him play, and there are those who won't watch a tournament on tv if he's playing, for whatever reason. Some love to watch him play as long as it's close, while others don't care one way or the other. Some want him to wipe out the competition, while some want him to lose regardless of who beats him. I've even seen comments that the tournament is over on Thursday so there's no point watching because the end is a foregone conclusion. I've heard people coming into my "local", notice that golf is on some of the tv's, ask if Tiger's playing, and when they're told he is, immediately lose interest saying he's going to win anyways.

I'm just wondering.....on those weeks when his entire game is on, should he just go through the motions until Saturday morning, then turn it on, just to keep it close? Would that make more people happier?

I don't think anyone would argue that he's the best in the game right now, worldwide. And he's always trying to improve. That's scary. Just suppose.......if he gets to the point where he's "on" every time he enters a tournament. Would people stop watching tournaments altogether because he's going to win every time he tees it up?

Just my thoughts on a painful Sunday afternoon.

[The Troll]

Just my thoughts on a painful Sunday afternoon.

I'm as big of an NFL fan as there is but if every Sunday the only game on was the 2007 NE Patriots vs. the 2007 Miami Dolphins I would find better ways to spend my day. :hyper:

Bad as it is that he routs the field he is also in every commercial....

[Chambokl]

Some people must be lying because the rating are higher when Tiger plays at the highest when he wins...so...

[goshawk]

Hmmmm, another one of those Tiger putts on 12. What's next!!??:p

[imAnewbie]

Like what Falso said "Im running out of superlatives" hahaha man I cant believe that shot where his ball was on a pile of mud and that is insane!

[caddishack]

well I did watch anyhow as it is winter and not much else doing. i suppose if it were the summer time, I would have just stayed outside and enjoyed the day.

[Golden Bear]

Some people must be lying because the rating are higher when Tiger plays at the highest when he wins...so...He draws a lot of casual fans who don't know the names of any other golfers. I doubt that those who are saying they tune out when Tiger is demolishing the field are lying. They're speaking for themselves -- I don't see anyone saying "people in general are bored when Tiger wins."

I don't like Celine Dion, but she sells a lot of records -- that doesn't mean I'm lying. It means someone else likes her. Well, some people like watching golf where there is no competitive drama as long as the poster-boy for the sport is guaranteed to win. My personal tastes don't need to apply to everyone -- but they do apply to me.

well I did watch anyhow as it is winter and not much else doing. i suppose if it were the summer time, I would have just stayed outside and enjoyed the day.Don't keep us in suspense -- who won? :hyper:

[LowPost42]

Ultimately he'll likely earn the title of greatest golfer of all time ... unfortunately he's so good that it's become a weak era, not because of the quality of his competitors (though that's part of it), but because of the disparity between Tiger and his competitors. Add a second and even a third Tiger and it could be the greatest era of all time ... so hopefully another Tiger comes along soon. No one's on the horizon, though.


I think that's the biggest 'knock'. Everyone loves to point out how all the other greats had to battle other greats to achieve what they achieved; they all had a 'nemesis' - at least one, sometimes more, whereas Tiger seems to have no nemesis.

It's my opinion that had Tiger been put in the mix with the old time greats, we'd see him whup them, too.

[Bellyhungry]

After the round yesterday, I bet some players probably thought 'you know, that Kelly Tilgman was onto something'.

As far as Tiger Woods goes; well, even God has His detractors, Tiger will have his share throughout his career.

[Golf_Goof]

One of the most best interviews I've seen in a while regarding Tiger was on Golf Central Sat evening. They were talking with Kevin Streelman who played with Tiger on Saturday, meeting him for the first time on the tee.

Streelman was almost gushing about playing with Tiger - clearly a bit humbled. He commented on Tiger's demeanor on the course, his personality with his fellow golfers and caddies, and his insane ability to hit long shots with pinpoint accuracy and distance control. It was nice to see another professional recognize Tiger's talent relative to himself and the rest of golfdom.

[GQuizzle]

What I liked about that interview was Streelman's comment regarding going out to play, have fun and learn as much as he could while playing with the game's best. A very humble stance that still displayed confidence in his own ability.

[Bellyhungry]

It is one thing for a rookie like Streelman to relish the chance to play with Tiger, it is quite another for a veteran like Cink or Durant to play with Tiger.

Here you are, playing for second place money. You have a bunch of commotion following the group and God forbids Tiget putts out before you because people will start moving as soon as Tiger is done with the hole, you simply can't focus. Also, you are grinding for second place money while trying to ignore Tiger, but you have Tiger Woods time and time again hit his shots inside yours or hit miracle shots one after another and you end up watching him rather than concentrating on your game. For 4-5 hours, you are pretty much plays mind game with your head.

At the end of day, people like Ryuji Imada shot a care free round because they have little distractions, meanwhile you shot over par and end up sliding down the money list.

[fireice]

For those that missed Tiger Woods on the #3 on the South Course this past weekend at the Buick Invitational. Enjoy some Tiger videos.
Day 1 (http://www.ottawagolfblog.com/2008/01/tiger-woods-shoots-67-day-1-buick.html)
Day 3 (http://www.ottawagolfblog.com/2008/01/tiger-woods-day-3-buick-invitational.html)
Day 4 (http://www.ottawagolfblog.com/2008/01/tiger-woods-winner-of-buick.html)

[hogannut]

Anyone watching Golf Central last night? Tigers stats for the last 32 events are 16 wins, and 277 strokes under par. Phil's stats over the last 32 events. 5 wins and 157 under par.