The best OF HIS time

[chemboy2]

Originally Posted by demon

Intimidation is the key to his victories, he can really turn it on when he has too and people know it. The Golf Channel was predicting that he was going to win because he was right on target to take it even though he was a good ways back on Friday. Did you guys see how he was monitoring Quinney and Buckle by watching the crowds reaction to the holes in front of him and behind him? He knows what he has to do by the reaction, and if he knows he has to step it up he does, this is scary since he has the ability to play great and is able to step it up to the point of being insanely good.

That's exactly it! When Howell started to show some serious life with a few holes loft to go, Tiger sticks it close on 17.

You're absolutely right about intimidation too, Demon. That is Tiger's most formidable asset. A lot of these younger guys are certainly showing that they have some game. One of these tourneys one of them just has to step up and say "to hell with him; I'm going take this thing!" They are going to have to take because he won't give it away. They can't play to lose and keep looking over their shoulder, they have to keep the pressure on and play smart, yet aggresive golf.

[demon]

Originally Posted by chemboy2

That's exactly it! When Howell started to show some serious life with a few holes loft to go, Tiger sticks it close on 17.

You're absolutely right about intimidation too, Demon. That is Tiger's most formidable asset. A lot of these younger guys are certainly showing that they have some game. One of these tourneys one of them just has to step up and say "to hell with him; I'm going take this thing!" They are going to have to take because he won't give it away. They can't play to lose and keep looking over their shoulder, they have to keep the pressure on and play smart, yet aggresive golf.

The young guns have no chance with tiger in the hunt. when they were in high school when tiger was just starting his domination on the tour, he is an active legend to these guys, and he is still young. this alone will automatically give you a mindset that you cannot win, they wont admit it but you know its lurking in the backs of there minds. Look at what Snediker was saying about his dream, playing Tiger at Augusta in a playoff hole. Since he is on the PGA Tour his dream is halfway there, and we all know he has game, but to put tiger on the pedistal like that by saying your dreaming about it your mindset it already corrupt in thinking that you cannot win.

Did you happen to catch those stats for the Buick? Since 1998 he has played there 9 times and won there 6 of the 9 times.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by sssmokin

You're talking about money as incentive............I think Tiger has all the money he'll ever need in his life. With him, it goes beyond money. He just wants to win. I think it was the same with Jack, and all the other great champions.

My point was that the competition isn't as motivated to try and challenge Tiger as they were in earlier eras, because they can still do very well without ever threatening to win a tournament. Tiger has all the motivation he needs built in, money isn't a factor for him. But aside from 3 or 4 notable exceptions, his competition does not have that inner drive, and they don't have a need for the money for added inspiration.

Nicklaus had that desire, but IMO, he also had to face stiffer competition because of the added motivational factor of smaller purses, thus requiring a higher finish just to keep playing. It's amazing how much drive an empty stomach can add to an already competitive nature. As a result, I feel that Jack had a harder job staying above the rest of the field in his day.

Did that make Jack better?? Tiger better?? Can't tell. Different eras with different competition, different equipment, different courses. All I'm saying is that Tiger isn't automatically the best ever JUST because he someday breaks Jack's records. All that says is that he did better against the competition he faced than Jack did against his peers. It still doesn't hold any relevance in trying to match them against each other.

[chemboy2]

Originally Posted by demon

Did you happen to catch those stats for the Buick? Since 1998 he has played there 9 times and won there 6 of the 9 times.

I hadn't seen that; pretty sick!

Originally Posted by Fourputt

All that says is that he did better against the competition he faced than Jack did against his peers. It still doesn't hold any relevance in trying to match them against each other.

I actually disagree with this statement. Golf isn't the only sport where folks attempt to compare generations and then crown someone the best ever (Bonds vs. Ruth/Aaron; Federer vs. Sampras/Borg/Connors/Macenroe/etc; Armstrong vs. Hinault/Indurain/Merckx/Anquetil). This is inevitable and the only yard stick that is worth a damn is looking how these great athletes stack up against their peers. This levels the playing field as much as possible and that delta is quantifiable and comparable. (I admit that it is far from perfect though...)

[Sandpiper3]

Alright. Im putting my foot down. Demon, lets say '09 Masters, you and me final group, and Tiger in the 2nd last group, and lets just stare him down all day long and beat him. Me and you in the playoff and see how it goes from there. Point over at him after every big putt and big shot, make sure he can hear the roars. Then he'll be handing the jacket over to one of us instead of him keeping it!

Sound like a deal?