Staring contest between Zach Johnson and Tiger Woods on the 18th Sunday
I suppose I have to post a Tiger Woods related post today since he won the Chevron and the media and golf broadcasters are going nuts. Not that I don’t want to, I just don’t want it to be the same as a billion other scribes, bloggers, sports reporters etc.
I watched almost all of the broadcast of the Chevron World Challenge this weekend. I wasn’t super impressed with the golf of most of the 18 players. Collectively the field was -3. Perhaps the fast greens and high wind took their toll. Yes, this was a field of only 18 players. Take that for what it is worth. Not a full field. Not a PGA Tour event either. BUT, despite being a small field there were some fantastic golfers in it, including many top 10 players, the FedEx Cup champ for 2011 etc.
After the hot start Thursday I’d hoped that K.J. Choi could keep the train rolling. He’s one of my favorite players. But he lost it a bit. The 15th hole seemed to have his number, as Choi carded a quadruple and a triple on that par-3.
Tiger’s game was good enough to win this week obviously, but whether or not he is “back” is unknown in my opinion. I still see some wild swings, but then again he has always had wild swings. The dip in his swing is pretty pronounced and when that gets out of control, he hits bad shots, like the few fat 3-woods he hit.
Still I think the biggest make or break part of TW’s game right now is his putting. He didn’t make much of anything yesterday. I could see his blade opening in his stroke on some misses. Then suddenly something clicked around the 16th hole. He started to release the putter better, without leaving the face open. Then the putts started dropping.
So is Tiger “Back?”
Many think so. Most golf TV broadcasters, networks and scribes want him back because their ratings are so vastly better when Tiger is playing well and in contention.
Speaking of the broadcasters, the Tiger doting was really over the top this weekend, especially Sunday. It is hard to swallow sometimes–when they go on and on about Tiger, and seem to forget the rest of the field. They’re in a tough position though. I get it. It is hard not to dote over possibly the best golfer ever. Tiger is arguably the 2nd best golfer. Can’t call him the best unless he beats Jack’s record.
When asked if he was back, Tiger said (paraphrasing) he’d never left.
For fun, lets take a look at some headlines:
Finally, a win for Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods Wins First Tournament Since Scandal
Woods puts demon in the hole
Woods ends 2-year victory drought
Hello Again, World
Did Tiger get his groove back?
Does Tiger’s win at the Chevron mean he’s all the way back?
The days of doubting Tiger Woods are over (finally) – complete quote
Tiger Woods starts winning again
Tiger is back to his best
Great story — but is he really back?
Golf doesn’t need Tiger anymore
Tiger Woods Wins! Fan Yells “Mashed Potatoes!”
Angel Tiger or Devil Tiger, either way, I’m glad he’s back!
That’s More Like It
What did Tiger himself have to say about his win? Here’s his latest tweet:
Birdie birdie feels pretty damn good. Fans made it feel better than great.
What’s gear was in Tiger Woods’s golf bag at the Chevron?
Driver: Nike VR Tour 8.5-degree (Graphite Design DI 6X)
Fairway Woods: Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 3-wood/15-degree and 5-wood/19-degree
Irons: Nike VR Pro Blades (3-PW)
Wedges: Nike VR Pro 56-degree and Nike VR Pro 60-degree
Putter: Nike Method 001
Ball: Nike ONE Tour D
Apparel: Nike Golf’s Tiger Woods Collection
Footwear: Nike TW Free-Inspired Prototype Shoe
Final Chevron Leader Board
| POS |
Player |
To Par |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
|
1
|
Tiger Woods
|
-10
|
69
|
67
|
73
|
69
|
278
|
|
2
|
Zach Johnson
|
-9
|
73
|
67
|
68
|
71
|
279
|
|
3
|
Paul Casey
|
-5
|
79
|
68
|
67
|
69
|
283
|
|
T4
|
Hunter Mahan
|
-4
|
72
|
68
|
73
|
71
|
284
|
|
T4
|
Matt Kuchar
|
-4
|
72
|
67
|
74
|
71
|
284
|
|
T6
|
Jim Furyk
|
-1
|
71
|
74
|
73
|
69
|
287
|
|
T6
|
Martin Laird
|
-1
|
77
|
74
|
66
|
70
|
287
|
|
T6
|
Rickie Fowler
|
-1
|
71
|
70
|
75
|
71
|
287
|
|
T6
|
Bubba Watson
|
-1
|
75
|
70
|
70
|
72
|
287
|
|
T10
|
Bo Van Pelt
|
E
|
74
|
72
|
71
|
71
|
288
|
|
T10
|
Gary Woodland
|
E
|
73
|
70
|
70
|
75
|
288
|
|
12
|
K.J. Choi
|
+1
|
66
|
73
|
72
|
78
|
289
|
|
T13
|
Webb Simpson
|
+2
|
73
|
79
|
68
|
70
|
290
|
|
T13
|
Bill Haas
|
+2
|
78
|
69
|
69
|
74
|
290
|
|
15
|
Jason Day
|
+3
|
74
|
68
|
77
|
72
|
291
|
|
16
|
Steve Stricker
|
+4
|
69
|
76
|
73
|
74
|
292
|
|
17
|
Keegan Bradley
|
+10
|
76
|
75
|
74
|
73
|
298
|
|
18
|
Nick Watney
|
+11
|
71
|
78
|
73
|
77
|
299
|
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
Love the people who holler from the roof tops “Tiger is Back”. Back from where? mediocre golfland?This tournament proves nothing except he can, on occasion, beat other golfers whom have lost to him on a regular basis. Big deal!
I have an idea, quit drinking the Kool Aid and let’s wait till he plays a full field event. All the hoopla from the President’s Cup is just that, hoopla. Still had a losing record though didn’t he?
Is America so devoid of people to admire that we lower our standards to worship on the alter that is Eldrick Woods aka serial womanizer, liar, cheat and a person who is best known for letting his little head do the thinking for his big head? My god America wake up!
I don’t think Tiger joined The PGA so peolple could judge his personal life. We should judge his golf ability against others at his level. If you want to discuss his personal life read people mag.