Tiger Woods day

by SetupDeterminesTheMotion Wed 30 Nov 2016, 10:40 am

So today's the day, the Tiger returns.

So how well or how bad will he be ?

With such a small field, he couldn't have comeback into an easier tournament.

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 10:46 am

Good luck to the lad.
Never like to see anyone struggle, especially when they've been such a huge influence to millions in the game.
To do otherwise smacks of jealousy and small minded pettiness.
I understand if folk don't like him particularly but to wish him ill speaks volumes about the people who do so.
Not a big fan of the mealy mouthed, strop master Andy Murray, but I always want him to do well.

by super_realist Wed 30 Nov 2016, 10:52 am

Hope he stinks the house out. I don't enjoy anything about his game. Mad axeman swing, zero course management, self obsessed, humourless, sullen face and terrible interviews. Nothing to like about the guy as far as I can see and golf has been better without the focus on him all the time.

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 10:53 am

super_realist wrote:Hope he stinks the house out. I don't enjoy anything about his game. Mad axeman swing, zero course management, self obsessed, humourless, sullen face and terrible interviews. Nothing to like about the guy as far as I can see and golf has been better without the focus on him all the time.

And 14 majors....

by Davie Wed 30 Nov 2016, 10:57 am

Does it start today or tomorrow?

by super_realist Wed 30 Nov 2016, 10:57 am

What has 14 majors got to do with it? I didn't like Sampras's majors either. Well done on winning them, but it doesn't make me like them any more.

by 1GrumpyGolfer Wed 30 Nov 2016, 11:01 am

Davie wrote:Does it start today or tomorrow?

Tomorrow. PGA Tour has it listed as Dec 1 - Dec 4

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 11:05 am

More to do with the course management as much as anything (loved the 2 iron stinger round Hoylake).

by super_realist Wed 30 Nov 2016, 11:23 am

He'd have had 20 plus majors if he had any course management.

As usual his bravado got the better of him, he just HAS to hit it further than anyone else.

Good luck with that now, McIlroy, Day, Johnson etc will be able to build a Tesco between their ball and his.

by McLaren Wed 30 Nov 2016, 12:24 pm

Tiger using a Bridgestone ball, which isn't much of a surprise as they used to make the Nike balls when they first came out. And apparently getting 300-310 carry, even DJ won't be that far ahead.

As I always say, if Tiger were white (and Spanish) think of the love he would get on this board. Wink

by super_realist Wed 30 Nov 2016, 12:26 pm

That's nothing to do with it Mac.
How about if he was a nice person with an interesting personality? That would be a good place for him to start rather than trying to change the colour of his skin.

Reverend Gerry Watson gets similar dislike on this board, and he's white, so stop trying to put this down to race. 9C is an arse because of WHO he is, not WHAT he is.

by JAS Wed 30 Nov 2016, 1:08 pm

McLaren wrote:

As I always say, if Tiger were white (and Spanish) think of the love he would get on this board.

Brilliant!! Wummery of Trussmanesque quality ;-)

by kwinigolfer Wed 30 Nov 2016, 1:33 pm

MontysMerkin wrote:Good luck to the lad.

Not a big fan of the mealy mouthed, strop master Andy Murray, but I always want him to do well.

Not sure why his performance in an exhibition is significant in any way.
Will be much more interested when he tees it up in competition without the parachute of a $six-figure payday even if he stinks the joint out.

And love Andy Murray and always wish him well, couldn't care less about his exhibition results though.

by **navyblueshorts** Wed 30 Nov 2016, 1:52 pm

It'll be interesting how he does. I can't see him ever getting anywhere near where he used to be, but I'm not sure I want to see him make a fool of himself really. I've never liked the public persona we see, but if he can play good golf I'd happily watch. Well, I would if I could afford Sky...
I agree with S_R re. golf's focus since he's been away, but I have to wonder if that Woods obsession that the media had/have was anything to do with Woods. To me, I think it was the media so I'm not sure I can blame Woods for that, even it irritated the **** out of me.

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 1:56 pm

kwinigolfer wrote:
MontysMerkin wrote:Good luck to the lad.

Not a big fan of the mealy mouthed, strop master Andy Murray, but I always want him to do well.

Not sure why his performance in an exhibition is significant in any way.
Will be much more interested when he tees it up in competition without the parachute of a $six-figure payday even if he stinks the joint out.

And love Andy Murray and always wish him well, couldn't care less about his exhibition results though.

Take it you think he's doing it for the lolly? If so, he's lost his dough quicker than Daly in a Blackpool casino...

by McLaren Wed 30 Nov 2016, 2:30 pm

Here is the man himself teeing off in the pro am

https://twitter.com/MoynihanCharles/status/803963266644983808

Obviously just yanking a few chains above with my previous comment but on a serious note, I will never understand why golfers who were in the 40+ demographic when Woods came about just never took to him. Fellow pro's are still in awe of what he achieved but a certain type of golf fan seems to despise him for no apparent reason.

by Davie Wed 30 Nov 2016, 2:36 pm

I think there are 2 aspects .. lots despise his for the reasons s_r has laid out .. other dislike him for what isn't exactly his fault, but the media obsession with him at his peak (and even since then) has often made the coverage near unwatchable

by kwinigolfer Wed 30 Nov 2016, 2:47 pm

Monty,
No, that's not it. But this exhibition is more of a publicity stunt where he is the chief beneficiary.
I'll take his "comeback" seriously when he starts playing in tournaments with a 36-hole cut, even more seriously if he starts making a few.

Whilst would replace word "despise" with "are ambivalent", completely agree with Davie's post.

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 2:48 pm

I think it's easy to forget the impact he had when he came on the scene. Black! Massively long and powerful (they were all moaning at the time about having to 'tiger proof' courses)! Incredibly rich (richest sportsman in the world at the time?)! On track to smash the record books! I mean what's to like for white middle income earners, who are crap at golf, stuck in dead end, crappy jobs with a fat ugly wife and children. No bitterness there at all. Shocked

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 2:51 pm

kwinigolfer wrote:Monty,
No, that's not it. But this exhibition is more of a publicity stunt where he is the chief beneficiary.
I'll take his "comeback" seriously when he starts playing in tournaments with a 36-hole cut, even more seriously if he starts making a few.

Whilst would replace word "despise" with "are ambivalent", completely agree with Davie's post.

Sorry, didn't really follow what the tournament is. One of those limited field jobs I s'pose?
Still hope it goes well for him... Would love to see him tee it up with the rev, coco, etc in the final round of a major.

by **navyblueshorts** Wed 30 Nov 2016, 3:20 pm

MontysMerkin wrote:I think it's easy to forget the impact he had when he came on the scene. Black! Massively long and powerful (they were all moaning at the time about having to 'tiger proof' courses)! Incredibly rich (richest sportsman in the world at the time?)! On track to smash the record books! I mean what's to like for white middle income earners, who are crap at golf, stuck in dead end, crappy jobs with a fat ugly wife and children. No bitterness there at all.

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 3:24 pm

by McLaren Wed 30 Nov 2016, 3:26 pm

Monty

I reckon you are pretty sport on. Hug

by Shotrock Wed 30 Nov 2016, 3:40 pm

Monty ...

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 3:47 pm

I think in light of recent events in America, there may be a kernel of truth in it. And to be honest it probably explains some aspects of TWs public persona (not that he should be there to be 'liked', he is, after all, just a golfer, more that the constant undertone of being unworthy and an outsider may over time cause some psychological issues.) I would expect that this siege mentality will probably manifest itself in Lewis Hamilton (if it hasn't already).

by MontysMerkin Wed 30 Nov 2016, 3:54 pm

navyblueshorts wrote:
MontysMerkin wrote:I think it's easy to forget the impact he had when he came on the scene. Black! Massively long and powerful (they were all moaning at the time about having to 'tiger proof' courses)! Incredibly rich (richest sportsman in the world at the time?)! On track to smash the record books! I mean what's to like for white middle income earners, who are crap at golf, stuck in dead end, crappy jobs with a fat ugly wife and children. No bitterness there at all.

by pedro Wed 30 Nov 2016, 6:12 pm

Monty, your tin foil hat is top notch quality!! thumbsup

PS: Who benefits from 'tiger proofing' courses? Headscratch

In any case I think Tiger will do OK. I predict him to jump at least 150 spots on the OWGR... Tiger Woods day 1347041234

by Be_the_ball Wed 30 Nov 2016, 9:51 pm

Personally I hope he plays well and progresses his game back to a decent level. I don't want to know anything about him when he's off the course. But when he has a club in his hands he's one of the most exciting players (no pun intended) thats ever played the game.

by robopz Wed 30 Nov 2016, 10:31 pm

MontysMerkin wrote:I think it's easy to forget the impact he had when he came on the scene. Black! Massively long and powerful (they were all moaning at the time about having to 'tiger proof' courses)! Incredibly rich (richest sportsman in the world at the time?)! On track to smash the record books! I mean what's to like for white middle income earners, who are crap at golf, stuck in dead end, crappy jobs with a fat ugly wife and children. No bitterness there at all.

by beninho Thu 01 Dec 2016, 8:23 am

I think he is gone as a top class golfer, how many players come back from such serious injuries and make it all the way to the top, especially now that the top players are getting younger.

The guy was a supreme driven golfer, and can be regarded as easily one of the best players ever or argued as even the best. He was involved in dragging golf into a different era, and his influence can be shown on players such as Mcilroy, Spieth and Day who all looked up to him when they were very young players starting out.

He may not be likeable, but thats based purely on the persona people see on TV during interviews. I do not know anyone that is friends with him and I would assume no one on this board does, so its hard for anyone to make a real conclusion on him. Then again people thought he was just a dull golf man, before it was revealed he was a serial shagger of hookers, waitresses and porn stars!

by Roller_Coaster Thu 01 Dec 2016, 9:02 am

I hope he does well. Unlikely this time out or for a few more events, and I guess the odds are against him ever doing it consistently, but I would like him to get back there or thereabouts.

That said, I bet he knobs up his drive on the first. There have been a few corkers down the years.

by **navyblueshorts** Thu 01 Dec 2016, 9:22 am

MontysMerkin wrote:...I would expect that this siege mentality will probably manifest itself in Lewis Hamilton (if it hasn't already).

LH is simply a c0ck. If he needs a siege mentality, it's because he's an out-and-out c0ck and doesn't like it when people tell him his attitude stinks. Which it does. It has nothing to do with his colour, just that he's a c0ck.

by **navyblueshorts** Thu 01 Dec 2016, 9:36 am

MontysMerkin wrote:I think it's easy to forget the impact he had when he came on the scene. Black! Massively long and powerful (they were all moaning at the time about having to 'tiger proof' courses)! Incredibly rich (richest sportsman in the world at the time?)! On track to smash the record books! I mean what's to like for white middle income earners, who are crap at golf, stuck in dead end, crappy jobs with a fat ugly wife and children. No bitterness there at all.

Actually, it isn't easy to forget that at all. Well, I haven't, but then I have a memory span a bit longer than a goldfish.
The very fact he was as popular as he was, with both whites and blacks, suggests your overly-simplistic pigeonholing of all white golfers as being "crap at golf, stuck in dead end, crappy jobs with a fat ugly wife and children" as a poor and lazy stereotype. Maybe a bit of self-deprecating humour Wink

? I'm sure the lazy stereotype is OK for some (i.e. the 'typical' ANGC member maybe, that sort of thing), but it's just that, lazy, and doesn't remotely explain Woods' popularity with that mixed demographic.

by monty junior Thu 01 Dec 2016, 12:10 pm

It's been a morning of TW Masters videos, here's hoping the great man has a decent start today. This is an ideal tournament to return at, i just hope he is relatively healthy.

by robopz Thu 01 Dec 2016, 12:14 pm

Roller_Coaster wrote:I hope he does well. Unlikely this time out or for a few more events, and I guess the odds are against him ever doing it consistently, but I would like him to get back there or thereabouts.

Yeah... I'm with you on this one. IMO if he really does have his back in shape to the point he can play, and more importantly practice at the level needed for that level, he's got a very good chance of getting back to at least close to the 2012-13 version.

But there's the rub. No back issues are the same and I had a chronic one requiring surgery (similar to TW's) and I was healed. But from knowing others who weren't so lucky, its something they'll have to live with forever. It's seemed to me with everyone I know... it's more a case of either they "got it" or "they didn't" with the surgery. Some had successful secondary surgeries... but few. And we KNOW TW's surgeries weren't the fix the first and second time. MAJOR red flag for me.

by super_realist Thu 01 Dec 2016, 3:43 pm

McLaren wrote:Here is the man himself teeing off in the pro am

https://twitter.com/MoynihanCharles/status/803963266644983808

Obviously just yanking a few chains above with my previous comment but on a serious note, I will never understand why golfers who were in the 40+ demographic when Woods came about just never took to him. Fellow pro's are still in awe of what he achieved but a certain type of golf fan seems to despise him for no apparent reason.

What makes you think it's for "no reason"?

by monty junior Thu 01 Dec 2016, 4:33 pm

I never get the impression his peer's don't like him, they always speak highly of him and what he has done for the game. He and Phil don't like each other much but then apparently a lot of the tour aren't fond of Phil despite his "nice guy" public persona.

He tee's off in an hour drumroll

by super_realist Thu 01 Dec 2016, 4:40 pm

Probably the same as your own club. Especially at my St.Andrews club there's a lot of people I don't like.

by I'm never wrong Thu 01 Dec 2016, 6:32 pm

3 under after 7 and a short putt for a birdie at 8. Looks
As though he is swinging less than he did, but I'm no expert.

by I'm never wrong Thu 01 Dec 2016, 6:41 pm

...and then he drives it into the bondu.

by Be_the_ball Thu 01 Dec 2016, 7:30 pm

He seemed to be hitting it well in the warmup

https://youtu.be/diZoYdcWKCg

by Be_the_ball Thu 01 Dec 2016, 7:42 pm

I'm never wrong wrote:...and then he drives it into the bondu.

I hope you're happy!?!?

Pffft!!

by kwinigolfer Thu 01 Dec 2016, 7:56 pm

Not watching it but trying to follow via Tiger Tracker. Sounds like his irons are mostly really good and short putting spot on. No snakes yet though (thru 13) so he'll probably say he didn't make anything. Even so, sounds as if he's playing reasonably well, doncha think?

by super_realist Thu 01 Dec 2016, 8:09 pm

3 shots off being 2nd, or 3 shots off being last. Far too early to make any concrete statements about where he is.

Hopefully closer to last by end of the week.

by I'm never wrong Thu 01 Dec 2016, 8:15 pm

Be_the_ball wrote:
I'm never wrong wrote:...and then he drives it into the bondu.

I hope you're happy!?!?

Pffft!!

Where do you get that idea from?
No, more like "commentators' curse. "

by Be_the_ball Thu 01 Dec 2016, 8:20 pm

I'm never wrong wrote:
Be_the_ball wrote:
I'm never wrong wrote:...and then he drives it into the bondu.

I hope you're happy!?!?

Pffft!!

Where do you get that idea from?
No, more like "commentators' curse. "

I know INW, im joking. Put the mockers on him!

by Davie Thu 01 Dec 2016, 8:33 pm

First nine holes he did look to be swinging smoothly and it seemed to be working. Driver didn't look very accurate though I've not seen the stats - looked to me like he was missing a lot of fairways but somehow a few birdies came along .. then a couple of dropped shots and the mad axeman seemed to be making a bit of a return - if I'm honest though he is doing better than I expected. The crucial thing will be how he handles a few more dropped shots ... be it chunky chips or a few wild iron shots.

Maybe I'm being over fussy but I don't like the way the TV coverage puts him at the top of any ties .. neither alphabetical or holes played seems to be the tie breaker - but if your name is Woods you go top of any tied positions, just to keep him up the leaderboard

by kwinigolfer Thu 01 Dec 2016, 8:42 pm

Anyone have any idea how Justin Rose looked on his comeback?

by super_realist Thu 01 Dec 2016, 8:45 pm

Double bogey from 9C. "needs more reps" Yawn.

"heck it was fun to be back playing again, thanks bobby, 'preciate it" G.F.

Now he's only one shot off being last Laugh

by golfermartin Thu 01 Dec 2016, 10:26 pm

At least he's guaranteed to be top 20!

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