The Tiger Thread

[bkuehn1952]

That does not sound like an even match: Mizuno Cup MVP and Maryland 2022 Golfer of the Year vs. Former TN Golfer of the Year and some old guy.

How many strokes will I get? I think 5 each nine sounds fair.

[MattF]

That does not sound like an even match: Mizuno Cup MVP and Maryland 2022 Golfer of the Year vs. Former TN Golfer of the Year and some old guy.

How many strokes will I get? I think 5 each nine sounds fair.

[DougE]

....Maryland 2022 Golfer of the Year...

Oh, pulleeease. Maryland Golfer of the Year? I'm a walking ad for the Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute this year.

An injured knee put me on the disabled list as of August 3 (torn MCL). Slightly torn and severely impinged rotator cuff kept me on it after a chair rolled out from under me (long story). Physical therapy hasn't helped much at all. Three weeks ago, the herniated disc in my lower back (yes, the same one recommended for surgery last year) slipped out of place when I bent over to tie my shoe. I locked up and couldn't move. Acute phase lasted a week before things calmed down a bit. Arthritis has flared up all over due to lack of exercise as a result of all the injuries. My right shoulder is particularly bad, but the left ain't much better. Haven't played a real round of golf in 3 1/2 months, though tried to a couple times in October before the shoulder injury. (9 holes two different days. Not fun or productive.)

So, BK, for this match to happen, I'll be expecting 8 a side, a handicap flag on my cart, and someone to pick up my ball off the green or out of the hole...and, to hand it to me....nicely. Quite possibly, a ride to the ER afterward, too.

[bkuehn1952]

Hey, @GBOGEY , sounds like we have them right were we want them. I will work on @DougE and @MattF and see how many strokes we can squeeze out of those two sand baggers.

[CeeBee]

I think all of you are sandbaggers right now. EXCEPT me. My game is god awful. Knee surgery again next week.

[MattF]

No sandbagging here, my 14 handicap is all earned!

[legitimatebeef]

I tell you, even this pre-match discussion is more interesting than that of those dumb pro (M)atches.

[legitimatebeef]

Seeing Tiger today makes me think of 2010, when Phil won the Masters. That seemed to be a public image high water mark for him. Tiger was still fresh off his sex scandal and Phil seized the opportunity. I remember it well. The phrase "Phil, such a class act" got worn down to a goddamn nub. DId not help that Tiger's game also took a dip around that time. Anyways what a long way we have come twelve years later.

[legitimatebeef]

Tiger plays next week in L.A.

Through my connections in the community of golfers, I have been offered some free access to the event. This is just the initial excitement talking and it will probably wear off, but right now I am feeling like, a 10% chance of attending. (up from 0% previous to the news)

I am guessing it is harder than ever in 2023 for a fan to spectate this guy. He is a much bigger celebrity than he was in 2012, when I struggled to get a glimpse during the Barclays at Bethpage Black.

[GBOGEY]

Sorry, been away from golf for a while. Missed the whole match conversation. Yes, we need to make that happen!

@legitimatebeef being the Tiger fan that you are, you should go. If you're uncertain, wait until Friday so you can see if he looks good on Thursday first.

As for how to see him, don't attempt to follow him on every hole - absolute crazy scene. Find a spot where you can get a front row green seat (or a spot where you can watch multiple holes) and camp there. Hold your spot when he shows. My experience at the few events I've attended is that Tiger (and Phil) had crowds 6-7 people deep following them on every hole. Not sure how you could see him do anything. I sat in a grandstand right by a green. It was pretty empty except for when Tiger and Phil showed, then every seat was taken - and then they move off.

[bkuehn1952]

@GBOGEY has good advice. Then again, you have seen Tiger when he had hair and was somewhat the transcendent golfer that he was from 1997 to 2011. At this point, it is almost (sadly) like watching him compete on the Champion's Tour.

[legitimatebeef]

Tv golf is back on the menu, boys

[legitimatebeef]

His game looks better today than it did circa April 2019. I am low-key in shock here. Fully expected him to skank it around Riviera for two rounds and not play the weekend. It is almost like the injury setback provides him with extra motivation to reach otherwise unattainable levels. I don't know, you try explaining it. In 2020 he was starting to look washed up.

[bkuehn1952]

I may be inspired to watch Sunday. So far I have just looked for info after the fact. I did not want to watch Tiger struggle. If he can post a 67, he may still have something left in that battered body.

[bkuehn1952]

Watched Tiger limp in over the last 5 holes. When he is swinging, he looks good. Not so much when walking between shots. I can't see him holding it together for 72 holes at Augusta but, I have been wrong so many times before so just add this to the pile.

[legitimatebeef]

We have all been wrong about this guy--nobody in the entire world predicted that Masters win prior to 2018. At this point I am actually kind of an excited Tiger tard. His appearances being so few now, they will all be super hyped.

With pro golf being so fractured right now, there is opportunity. The field of contenders seems smaller or weaker. Once again as it did a couple years ago, the quality of Tiger game is being overshadowed by his perseverance through injury. As if we should all just take it for granted, like he is that good. Where was this game from 2011-2016? Is my question to you. He hits the ball way better now, with better shape, better traj, even better distance for crying out loud. Even with driver now. The overall improvement is phenomenal. How the hell does he do it. With no coach too. Hmm. I guess I am the only person who is interested in that.

I don't know jack about the foot and ankle issues but if they can be overcome I like his chances, in any tournament. Younger people can surely outwork him at this point, but Tiger still has more game and more nerve. And the younger generation of pros seem as awed by him as Tiger contemporaries did, if not more. John Ram could probably stand up to him if push came to shove. That guy seems like the only all-time caliber player in the world under 30 right now.

[bkuehn1952]

Next up, the Players. No LIV’ers welcome.

[legitimatebeef]

The rumor mill says that next week is still up in the air. We will know by Friday, whether or not meat is back on the menu for next week.

[bkuehn1952]

It looks like Tiger is not playing again until the Masters. ;(

[legitimatebeef]

Split his nutsack at the Riviera tournament probably.

[legitimatebeef]

Always something with this knucklehead

Good at golf

kinda sucks at everything else

[MattF]

There's more to it than the click bait headlines.

From what an attorney told me, her lawsuits should be dismissed because she doesn't have a leg to stand on. Especially the house one because there's no written contract. My understanding is that they've been trying to get her out for a while and had to result to trickery to accomplish it.

But he is a bit of a douche human.

[bkuehn1952]

It sounds like El Tigre has had a rehabilitative operation. Trades a flexible but very painful right ankle for a restrictive but less painful right ankle. 12 weeks of limited weight bearing will eliminate him from all the 2023 majors. A decent trade off if he can walk and regain his form with the fused ankle.