Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Posted on 04/10/2011 6:01:55 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- There first needs to be a simple, declarative statement to settle something once and for all, an answer to a question that's been asked for days, if not months. The statement is this: Tiger Woods is back.
He is. It's official. He didn't win the Masters, but after a courageous, almost history-making performance, it's impossible not to declare the career of Woods reinvigorated from the waitress-chasing dead.
Everything was present. The charge was there. He made up seven shots in eight holes, including an eagle on eight that led to the loudest roar of the weekend. Check. Some early leaders began to fall apart once Woods closed in. Check. Rory McIlroy had a bit of premature coronation, Jean Van De Velde-ing into people's lawns. Check, check, check.
McIlroy's falter was Woods’ gain. Woods caused McIlroy to panic. No question about it.
The caddy for Woods' playing partner shook Woods' hand at the conclusion of Woods' stunning round of 67 and said to Woods: "You're back."
You're back. Yes, he is. He is.
With all due respect to winner Charl Schwartzel, it was Woods who was the biggest story of the Masters despite finishing tied for fourth and four shots back with a 278.
You had to see it in person to understand. On the course, the gallery was throaty and chaotic. People could barely contain themselves as Woods made his run. Woods was fist-pumping again. His attitude was nasty again. Some of the staff at Augusta -- those who cook the food and empty the trash -- were mesmerized, sneaking a peak at the large television screen in the press room to watch Woods.
It's possible there hasn't been such emotion for a player who didn't win in the history of the Masters.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbssports.com ...
Competing yes, winning, no.
The old Tiger would not have missed so many putts on the back 9. Even the old Tiger might not have beat Schwartzl’s 14 under.
I don’t think I ever remember a golfer birdieing 15, 16, 17 and 18 on the final day. That’s some golf and congrats to Charl Schwartzel on a well-deserved win.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
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Watched the Masters and have to respectfully disagree. Tiger had a chance to take the lead on 15 with a 5 ft eagle putt and missed. Even the commenter (Faldo I think), noted how tense Tiger looked while standing over the putt.
The Tiger of old was fearless and the best putter in the world. Tiger is no longer the best putter in the world and in crucial situations today, he could not deliver the big putt. Missed on 16 as well when he had a chance to at least time for the lead.
Yesterday, Tiger missed a three foot putt. I have never seen him miss that short a putt at Augusta in all the years I have watched him (since 1997?)
Tiger hit some great shots, but Augusta is probably his favorite course in the world, so that is to be expected. When the pressure was on, the young guns made the putts and Tiger did not. If he can’t regain his ability to hit the clutch putt, he will not be above the rest, just one of them.
According to his new coach all the effort was put into Tiger’s swing. Little attention to the putting.
Now that things are picture perfect with the swing the putting will get the necessary attention.
Tiger is back and it was electric to watch.
I give credit where it’s due. He showed up for an entire year knowing he didn’t have a chance. Faced the crowds, the media, and of course the haters.
Schartzel shot 6 under today including birdies on the last four holes. Woods shot 5 under today to finish in a four way tie for third loser. Woods did his thing and he played well but there were others that didn’t crumble in his roar.
The old Tiger would not have missed so many putts on the back 9.”
How many tourneys has Tiger won from behind? He’s back. The fairway wood on eight, the approah on 15 ... I’ve seen a lot of rounds when his putter failed him, but I think this was different. I think he was so excited that he was back, the adrenaline rush got him!
HEY CBS - close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades ...
Tiger had a good round - but a golf tournament is a 4-day event ...
You have to be consistent - he wasn’t. Just a few weeks ago, Tiger was in the hunt - but pooched it in the final round. This time, he pooched it in the early rounds and could not make it up on the final day ...
“To those who aren’t fans of sports or golf... kindly don’t post on this thread. WE KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. JUST MOVE ON.”
Hahahahaha. Love it. Post of the day.
LOL, Showed up for an entire year? How many tournaments did he play in the last year? He played 11 tournaments in the USA in 2010, and the rest were overseas where he got paid big appereance money to show up in Thailand, Shanghai, Australia, etc.
As for practicing putting with his coach, that is laugh out loud funny. I was reading an article which I will post that was written last night by a writer who watched Tiger go right to the putting green after his round and practice for a couple hours. I doubt his coach says a word to him about his putting stroke as Tiger has one of the best strokes in the world.
The problem with Tiger’s putting in not lack of practice, it is lack of confidence and nerve. The young guys made the putts Tiger used to make, and as a result they beat him. Unless and until Tiger regains his fearless putting, he will be a contender, not a dominating force on the Tour.
You can tell how far a former star has fallen by how much praise they can win for coming in 4th.
What a wild and wonderful tournament. One of the best.
Too little, too late.
The old Tiger is dead and gone. A decent competitor he remains, but a dominating force he will never be again.
With all due respect to the writer he's out of his ever loving mind. The story is Schwartzel who made birdie on the last four holes, chipped in on number 1 for birdie and holed out from the fairway for an eagle.
The sub plot is that most guys on the leaderboard today were 30 or younger and three of them beat Tiger on the back nine along with Ogilvie who made 5 birdies on the back consecutively.
The world isn't all about Tiger.
Amen.
Schwartzel had a great day and deserves the win.
Tiger would have needed to shoot a 9 under par 63 (the course record I believe) just to tie him.
I’m not sure even the old Tiger could pull that off that easily.
Tiger does look like he’s back though.
This masters was a ton of fun to watch too.
I think 7 different golfers had a share of the lead at one time or another today.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Gotta pay big bucks to the cheating women!
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