Tiger hurt again

Outside of the injuries, the short game (specifically the short putting) has gone to crap. When he was on top of his game, how often did he miss from inside 5 ft? He missed quite a few at The Masters.

He certainly doesn't have the putting execution he did a couple of years ago. Like I said before, I'm sure it's the result of too much time spent on his full swing changes. Even though was the best for who knows how long, he still needs to practice. Same goes for his chipping. In tournaments this year, I've seen him flub shots that I've never seen before. This is the guy that dropped that chip at the Masters by going 180 degrees away from it and I've seen him execute a chili dip I'd be proud of! I think he'll get it all back in time, but not before he gets healthy. When he does come back though, it won't be quite the Tiger we saw for years. He'll be effective, but not invincible.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

Athletes can build their muscles to incredible strength and tone but they can't build "cartlidge and ligaments" the same. He may well be in trouble with his left knee. 4 surgeries and probably a replacement in the near future. He may have to learn to play differently if he is going to compete seriously over the next 5 years. You can still hit it a hell of a long ways without swinging out of your shoes every swing.

You hit the nail n the head for two different points. Once you do enough damage to ligiments and tendons on a joint, the clock is ticking. The other valid point is that ramping back in his case probably still puts him out at 290 or so on average. This should still give ample opportunity to score. You may have to hit a few par 5s in reg instead of going for it or passing on the driveable par 4s from time to time. If he gets his short game back, this shouldn't affect his scoring average by much. Whether his ego will let him approach the game this way is another story.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

Tiger's snarly comment about being 35 not 65 shows his continuing disdain for most things outside his immediate control, where once it would've been mistaken for a warrior's testimonial. Facts is facts, and no amount of willpower can overcome bone-on-bone and years of abuse. And say he can get it back together, for once I think we do have a cadre of golfers who think, "He doesn't scare me." Nicklaus' record is safe.

Well said Ken. I think that winning by intimidation is definitely over for him. He will have to scratch and claw out victories like the rest of them. Well, maybe except for Rory who can win big.

Have to agree with the above posts. I've never been a Tiger devotee, but I always enjoyed watching him play in his prime. I had to chuckle the other day when he commented that Jack won his last major at 46 and he's only 35. I'm pretty sure Jack wasn't pounding 3-500 balls a day when he was 10. Nor was he torquing his left knee like Tiger at 15. Fact is that Woods is an old 35. I think with changes that would enable his body to be somewhat intact, he could still be competetive. To catch Jack though, he would have to get one major a year starting next year, for the following four years and one more to pass him. Between hid body and the upcoming competition (not just Rory folks), I don't see it happening. We're not in Kansas anymore Dorothy, Elvis has left the building.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

Agreed