Tiger

[Lloyd Braun]

Just got back from Muirfield, what a scene!

A final round 65 is just unfair. I have now seen Tiger in person twice, and anyone who has can say it is a real treat. Watching the flight path of his approach on 18 I will not forget.

[wkrq59]

Every time I see hm play on TV I see something new that amazes me. That shot on 18 to seal the tournament was absolutely awesome. He is the best golfer I have ever seen and maybe the best ever.:D:D

[Masterofreality]

Let's not forget his earlier chip in for the eagle and his absolute refusal to miss any putt that counts. The guy has a mental toughness, confidence and ability to execute in the biggest moments that make it seem effortless- while we all know how difficult it is.

Even Nicklaus in his prime never pulled off the number of signature shots that Tiger has throughout his career. I almost expect that in some tournament, he'll ace the 72nd hole- if that's what he needed to win.

[Titanxman04]

It was one hell of a round and comeback by Tiger. I love the PGA. Rarely will I root against a golfer (Lefty) and you just want to see good golf all around, but it's so much fun watching Tiger make those big come backs. The PGA just wasn't as fun without him.

[drudy23]

maybe the best ever.:D:D

Maybe????????

[Nigel Tufnel]

Tiger was brilliant on Sunday. I was up at Muirfield on Saturday and had the unique opportunity to follow Geoff Ogilvy for most of his round. Watching the guy shoot a 63 with those course conditions was amazing. He just strolled around the course like he was playing the local municipal course. Of course, he got shellacked by 14 on Sunday. I don't know what happened because the tv coverage didn't show it...but he quad bogeyed 14 and was done after that.

Wonder if Jim Furyk had dreams about that short birdie putt on 15 yesterday.....

[Emp]

There is still a case to be made for Nicklaus's longevity at this point in time.

If Tiger stopped right now, fell off his game, or retired early after passing Jack's majors and PGA win total, I would put them both on the same level. I don't think that is going to happen, but I would want to see another solid 6-8 seasons from Tiger to believe he had separated himself from Nicklaus in a convincing way.

That is not to say that I am not a huge fan of Tiger, or that I regard him as anything less than a phenom.

Jack greeting Tiger coming off the green, it just looked like a bond and a mutual respect between them, knowing that they are the two best ever to have played a very old individual sport.

[X-band '01]

Just as the Memorial has become Jack Nicklaus' tournament and Bay Hill has become Arnold Palmer's tournament, I wonder what tournament will someday be Tiger's tournament.

As far as Phil goes, I wonder how he'll do at St. Jude and the US Open (Bethpage) while his wife Amy continues to undergo cancer treatment.

[wkrq59]

Just as the Memorial has become Jack Nicklaus' tournament and Bay Hill has become Arnold Palmer's tournament, I wonder what tournament will someday be Tiger's tournament.
As far as Phil goes, I wonder how he'll do at St. Jude and the US Open (Bethpage) while his wife Amy continues to undergo cancer treatment.

If his love for his wife is as strong as it appears to have been all these years (just from watching the interplay on TV) I don't see how he can not be mentally distracted. Knowing all that is involved in chemo and/or radiation, he's bound to be hurting. Even if she insists "Go play," I'll be very surprised to see him do well, let alone win. And I can't imagine him being able to even make the cut at Bethpage. Those said, I sure as hell hope he wins at Memphis and is able to play well at Bethpage. I'm no particular fan of Phil but any man who is going through what he is, deserves all the support he can get. My prayers to both of them, especially Amy.:)

[PMI]

Just as the Memorial has become Jack Nicklaus' tournament and Bay Hill has become Arnold Palmer's tournament, I wonder what tournament will someday be Tiger's tournament.

As far as Phil goes, I wonder how he'll do at St. Jude and the US Open (Bethpage) while his wife Amy continues to undergo cancer treatment.

Tiger already hosts the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. It's in honor of his father, a former military man, thus all military people (as well as children under 12) get in for free. He expressed in a press conference for the members several times that he wanted this tournament in the DC area (and at Congressional) for the long haul for his dad. Although some of the old members don't necessarily agree, I think the AT&T is one of the best things that's ever happened to Congressional. Tiger helped spring for brand new greens and better renovations which in the long run will make this already great course even better (also, throw your money on him to win the 2011 US Open there because the course will be just how he wants it by then.)

[vee4xu]

I spent all day Thursday, much of Saturday and all afternoon Sunday at Muirfield. The entrance at the 12th green is .7 of a mile from my house, so never any traffic worries. I have been going to the tournament every year since 1993. For the first time yesterday, I parked myself on the 18th green and watched the last 17 groups finish their rounds. Two things from yesterday stand out. First, when Tiger eagled 11 the roar at 18 was very loud. Now, number 11 green is about a half mile from 18 green. Second, I watched player after player after player hit second shots into 18. About 75% of them hit it into the trap on the left of the green. Another 20% hit the shot long and had to chip downhill on a green that was like a marble tabletop. The other 5% hit it within 15-20 feet for birdie. One guy made them all look silly when he hit a 7-iron 184 yards, uphill and within a foot of the hole for a tap in par to win it. I sat there for over three hours and it was worth it just to see that one shot. Amazing! Woods plays at a completely different level. The final tally was several double bogey's, countless bogey's, a few pars and three birdies. Two of the birdies were Tiger and Furyk.

We stayed for the trophy presentation and it was really cool.

[gladdenguy]

That is a great experience vee. Thanks for sharing. Love reading stuff like that.

[nuts4xu]

Tiger has a way of making the game of golf look like a game of Golden Tee.

The way he can execute the right shots at clutch moments is simply awe inspiring.

I am jealous Vee. I would love to have been there just to see that last approach shot. How frigging awesome that must have been.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I spent all day Thursday, much of Saturday and all afternoon Sunday at Muirfield. The entrance at the 12th green is .7 of a mile from my house, so never any traffic worries. I have been going to the tournament every year since 1993. For the first time yesterday, I parked myself on the 18th green and watched the last 17 groups finish their rounds. Two things from yesterday stand out. First, when Tiger eagled 11 the roar at 18 was very loud. Now, number 11 green is about a half mile from 18 green. Second, I watched player after player after player hit second shots into 18. About 75% of them hit it into the trap on the left of the green. Another 20% hit the shot long and had to chip downhill on a green that was like a marble tabletop. The other 5% hit it within 15-20 feet for birdie. One guy made them all look silly when he hit a 7-iron 184 yards, uphill and within a foot of the hole for a tap in par to win it. I sat there for over three hours and it was worth it just to see that one shot. Amazing! Woods plays at a completely different level. The final tally was several double bogey's, countless bogey's, a few pars and three birdies. Two of the birdies were Tiger and Furyk.

We stayed for the trophy presentation and it was really cool.

Great story......I've gone back and forth on what is better when watching golf: 1) being there to see a shot like that one on 18 by Tiger in person; or 2) being able to get a bird's eye view of Tiger's chip in on 11, Davis Love's 48 foot birdie on 14, Furyk's missed birdie putt on 15, Furyk's incredible up and down on 16, Tiger's birdie on 17 and his amazing shot on 18.

I love going to the Memorial tournament....but on the final day, I think I've decided that I enjoy watching the final round on my tv at home. You simply can't see everything that happens when you're at the tourney....granted, you saw probably the greatest moment of the tournament, but you just don't get the blow by blow coverage of the final round if you're there in person. Seeing that shot in person was certainly worth it....but from an overall standpoint....I don't know....I just hate being there and hearing the roars and not knowing what has happened...drives me crazy.

And lest we forget probably the greatest thing about the Memorial.....the friggin' talent (and I'm not talking about the golfers) For anyone who says that Ohio doesn't have beautiful women, I challenge you to spend an afternoon on Saturday or Sunday at Muirfield and then make such a proclamation. Sweet Jesus, I was there Saturday afternoon and I've never seen anything like the women that show up at the Memorial. I have no idea where the hell they all come from....gorgeous and dressed up.

My neck hurt Sunday morning after all the rubbernecking I did Saturday....for anyone who hasn't gone, you don't have to like golf to appreciate the Memorial. The views are second to none....oh, and the landscaping isn't bad either. The golf is just the icing on the cake.

[Lloyd Braun]

Regarding Tiger hosting tournaments, he already has a deisgn company so I anticipate he will have his own course to host a tournament when the time comes. However, would Tiger entertain the thought of hosting the Memorial in the distant furture when Jack is no longer with us? Probably not but it would be a fitting tribute torch to carry IMO, though extremely unlikely for many reasons.

[PMI]

I'll say it again. Tiger already hosts a Tournament. Every 4th of July weekend. Am I really the only one that knew about this?

[Lloyd Braun]

I'll say it again. Tiger already hosts a Tournament. Every 4th of July weekend. Am I really the only one that knew about this?

I get it, but I do not think it is at the top of his things to do for the year, like some of these retired superstar golfers. It is not on the same magnitude, that's all. It's something that is not generally done until retirement from the Tour. Compare what Jack did this past week to what Tiger does for his event. I know it's not all PR with Tiger because it means something to him, but it is not on the same level.

[vee4xu]

Regarding Tiger hosting tournaments, he already has a deisgn company so I anticipate he will have his own course to host a tournament when the time comes. However, would Tiger entertain the thought of hosting the Memorial in the distant furture when Jack is no longer with us? Probably not but it would be a fitting tribute torch to carry IMO, though extremely unlikely for many reasons.

Interestingly, Jack started hosting The Memorial 33 years ago when he was almost exactly the age that Tiger is today.

[vee4xu]

Tiger has a way of making the game of golf look like a game of Golden Tee.

The way he can execute the right shots at clutch moments is simply awe inspiring.

I am jealous Vee. I would love to have been there just to see that last approach shot. How frigging awesome that must have been.

Like I said nuts, it was worth the whole three hours there just to see it.

[Lloyd Braun]

Interestingly, Jack started hosting The Memorial 33 years ago when he was almost exactly the age that Tiger is today.

I shouldn't have said "generally" when referring to Jack and Tiger. Oops!

That said I don't see Tiger designing over 300 courses.

[PMI]

I get it, but I do not think it is at the top of his things to do for the year, like some of these retired superstar golfers. It is not on the same magnitude, that's all. It's something that is not generally done until retirement from the Tour. Compare what Jack did this past week to what Tiger does for his event. I know it's not all PR with Tiger because it means something to him, but it is not on the same level.

Actually, you might be surprised. It is definitely near the top of his list of things to do for the year, and is certainly right up there with everything not called winning majors. He makes a handful of trips to Congressional throughout the year (at least 4 or 5) to work on it. Make no mistake, this is not just something with Tiger Woods' name on it. He takes his hosting duties very seriously, even during the week while he's playing. It's actually very strange to see because normally he's 100& focused on playing and practicing but during the AT&T he has to balance that with his public and private appearances (which are quite entertaining and make the tournament worth while by themselves.) It's not necessarily just that it means something to him, which it obviously does, but it's also a lot of work and time on his part. Honestly, the only major difference between what Tiger does in comparison to Jack and Arnie is that he has a chance to win the thing too.

[Lloyd Braun]

Honestly, the only major difference between what Tiger does in comparison to Jack and Arnie is that he has a chance to win the thing too.

That may be so, but I do know this: 1) Tiger didn't design his host course. 2) Jack's is not named "The AT&T Memorial" or "The Verizon Wireless Memorial". Not that it's a bad thing, but an event named for a sponsor has a different feeling IMO. 3) Tiger is moving his event from The Congressional to Philly next year.

Tiger probably does more than I thought, but there are clearly different ways to host a tournament and the prestige that comes with that hosting doesn't happen until a tradition is created.

[PMI]

That may be so, but I do know this: 1) Tiger didn't design his host course. 2) Jack's is not named "The AT&T Memorial" or "The Verizon Wireless Memorial". Not that it's a bad thing, but an event named for a sponsor has a different feeling IMO. 3) Tiger is moving his event from The Congressional to Philly next year.

Tiger probably does more than I thought, but there are clearly different ways to host a tournament and the prestige that comes with that hosting doesn't happen until a tradition is created.

The move to Philly is planned on being temporary because of the US Open at Congressional in 2011 and another tourney in '10 (I think the US Am maybe?) He still intends on keeping it in DC and at Congressional after that if the members allow. I was at the meeting. Also, the official name of the tournament is "The AT&T National Hosted by Tiger Woods." Maybe that has a different feel to you, but I don't think one of the 4 major bowl games got any less prestigious after it became the "Tostitos Fiesta Bowl." I probably should have mentioned the full name before. And no, Tiger did not design the course, although he did have more than just a say in how the new greens and some other parts of the renovations look.

I won't argue about the tournament's "prestige." Frankly, in golf you could argue all day about which tournaments are more prestigious than which. My point was, Woods already hosts a tournament at a major golf course and he already has a cause for it. Perhaps someday he will design a course and move it there, and maybe the name of it will change but I doubt he'll take on more than one hosting duty in the PGA season, as he'll probably be playing until he's very old.