12/22/24
June 16, 2006
Tiger's Weekend May Be Cut Short: Tiger Woods was 12 over after the second round Friday, 13 shots out of the U.S. Open lead and likely to miss his first major cut. Is the course really that tough or is this not the Tiger of old?
This is probably the way it should be, at least with regards to golf. If Tiger was able to show up at the U.S. Open, on a tough course, having not played competitively for so long, after enduring a major personal loss, and challenge for the title, it wouldn't be saying much for the rest of the pros making up the field. It's too bad he may miss the cut, but hopefully this will let the weekend broadcasters focus on the players they should be focusing on (the contenders for the title) rather than Woods' story. Practically anyone who would be tuned in knows that story all too well by now, anyways.
posted by dyams at 12:10 PM on June 16, 2006
If Tiger was able to show up at the U.S. Open, on a tough course, having not played competitively for so long, after enduring a major personal loss, and challenge for the title, it wouldn't be saying much for the rest of the pros making up the field. I think it would have been the story of the year and simply reiterated the fact Tiger is on another tier when it comes to golf. It would take nothing away from the other players and probably attract more fans to the game.
posted by catching88 at 12:17 PM on June 16, 2006
Tiger's been through a REALLY rough stretch. It says something about his grit that he decided to give it his best shot, even though circumstances made it almost certain that he wouldn't be at his best. Anyone who thinks this performance indicates anything about his future is probably mistaken. The skills are still there, and he's always been mentally tough. He'll pull out of this.
posted by ctal1999 at 12:25 PM on June 16, 2006
hopefully this will let the weekend broadcasters focus on the players they should be focusing on Maybe this thread can aspire for the same results. Tiger didn't have it, but this is a serious test of golf. Just look at the morning scores. The guys who were playing in the afternoon made some serious birdies yesterday and it's obvious that this morning the course kicked back. Howell, Jimenez, Van Pelt, and Herron all looked super yesterday and are +5/+6 this morning. I wouldn't be surprised if you see some birdies this afternoon again (granted I haven't watched anything except the leaderboard today). Maybe see Furyk, Mickelson, Scott or Montie get to -2/-3?
posted by YukonGold at 12:28 PM on June 16, 2006
May be Tiger is human after all.
posted by graymatters at 12:29 PM on June 16, 2006
So with Tiger out, and believe me Tiger is out. Who becomes the next favorite? Lets get really ahead of ourselves and say Phil wins, should he be the WORLD #1.
posted by tommyg at 12:41 PM on June 16, 2006
I think that making the cut is the least of Tiger's concerns right now. i lost my dad about six mths ago, and work is only now starting to come into focus. I couldn't even imagine having to deal with the public and press the way Tiger has. I've never been a huge Woods fan, but, God bless you, and your family , things will get easier.
posted by tommybiden at 12:43 PM on June 16, 2006
My point exactly, TT. Well said.
posted by ctal1999 at 12:54 PM on June 16, 2006
It would take nothing away from the other players and probably attract more fans to the game. In a way, I think it would take away from the others and would NOT attract more fans. The U.S. Open, especially with Tiger in the final group on (or so) on Sunday would be a big ratings bonanza. But if you want serious competition to draw the fans to the non-major events, this is when they need to put on a show and make names, rivalries, and big news for themselves. Everyone already DOES know Tiger's on another level, but him just showing up after so long and being a huge contender (or winner), while being a big story, would only serve to widen the already huge gap between Woods and 98 percent of pro golf. And this in no way is meant to downplay the suffering of losing a father. We've done several hundred posts on that, and losing a father is terrible. Tiger will move on, just like I did, and many others.
posted by dyams at 01:05 PM on June 16, 2006
I look at it as this, losing a father can crimple anyones mind. Jordan retired after losing his, and no one should have expected Tiger to just come out and dominate his first time back. Give him about 18 months and we will probably see a more focused Tiger. Just hope he doesn't take up Baseball in between now and then!
posted by warstda at 01:12 PM on June 16, 2006
time for the canadians.. mikey weird and stumpy ames to conquer the us open..lol!!
posted by ktown at 01:17 PM on June 16, 2006
I'm sure all of us would be at our best performing against world-level competition so soon after one of our parents had passed away.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:20 PM on June 16, 2006
i think the announcers have to mention tiger's name every minute, whether he is playing or not, its a joke, there are other great golfers on the course and in the tourney that deserve respect and recognition, but its all about tiger. i bet nbc will have four specials during this weekend about tiger and his dad, all the while we're missing golf shots by professionals who are in the hunt for this great championship. it happens every weekend, 'what if' or 'tiger would have done this or that' , i m sick of it, if he is playing, thats fine, but if not leave him out of the conversation and talk about the present. dont get me wrong, he is the best, but everyone knows that, so dont jam it down our throats every mninute. i like monty or stricker this weekend
posted by sauceysays at 01:37 PM on June 16, 2006
Worldcup2002: As much as I loathe Michael Schumacher, this reminds me of him. Only instead of not doing well a month or two after the death of a parent, he went out the day after his mother died and kicked everyones ass at Imola, at a time when he wasn't dominating the sport. Of course, that could be because he's an inhuman sociopath, but still...
posted by Drood at 01:45 PM on June 16, 2006
too much about mr woods.give him his due he showed up after loosing his best mentor and best freind. at least the press should have given him a break. i love when he shows up to be human not the superman they want hin to be.
posted by dlwebb at 01:49 PM on June 16, 2006
my vote for "The Sensitivity Training Scholarship" goes to saucey
posted by irunfromclones at 01:50 PM on June 16, 2006
thanks, clone, i ll try harder next time, but if you turn to nbc now, you proabably wont see a live golf shot for about 15 mins, while every announcer gives his take on mr. woods and we see each of his 76 shots, twice...
posted by sauceysays at 02:00 PM on June 16, 2006
JJ's pick of David Howell is looking pretty good, he looks really sharp, as does Mickelson. Tiger just didn't have it, and who can blame him.
posted by mjkredliner at 02:04 PM on June 16, 2006
Maybe Tiger's woes are more indicative of the way the course is playing than where his head is at. Finally someone has designed a course that really requires accuracy over distance. And I'm not saying that I don't feel for the guy, or that his mindset shouldn't impact his game at this time - but let's be honest: even when he's at his peak he still tends to have difficulty keeping the ball on the fairway. And this time around the roughs are so deep that Tiger's ability to pull off the incredible chips shots from the high grass, giving himself a chance to win even when he can't buy a fairway, is simply not enough to get it done...
posted by MW12 at 02:40 PM on June 16, 2006
it is very common for sports figures to play, and play well, within days of the loss of a parent. Everyone's different, and Golf is not a team sport, but really, taking 9 weeks off after the death of a parent is pretty damn unusual, and certainly doesn't fall on the heroic side of any equation.
posted by rumple at 03:34 PM on June 16, 2006
on another note, it's cool to see Duval playing well.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 04:54 PM on June 16, 2006
I agree, Bill Lumbergh!
posted by mjkredliner at 04:58 PM on June 16, 2006
taking 9 weeks off after the death of a parent is pretty damn unusual, and certainly doesn't fall on the heroic side of any equation. I had to be back to work a week after my father passed. But I only work with at-risk kids at a school, not quite as important as golf.
posted by dyams at 05:43 PM on June 16, 2006
The sports media, being in the hype business as they are, do make an all-Tiger-all-the time event of every tournament he's in. Makes it tough to root for him, although he's a good guy. It will be interesting to see how the broadcasters and "analysts" will handle his absence this weekend.
posted by philly54 at 08:41 PM on June 16, 2006
Ican't imagine having to return to work, no matter what my job , after losing a parent, and having 50 microphones stuck in my face. I thought Tiger handaled himself quite well considering how he played.
posted by yankee0758 at 09:43 PM on June 16, 2006
Probably a combination of the two factors. Woods hasn't played since the Masters and has a lot of rust. However, you have to look at this course. Many people have said its one of the most challenging to date. I think Phil Mickelson is the choice here...either he or the recently sweet swing Vijay Singh will take it. Although the past couple of US opens have gone to unknowns...so this could be another case of that.