Friday, February 22, 2008
Tiger is the man, but who can or will challenge him?
Tiger is a beast! it's funny how I have been preaching about how great young guys are like Luke Donald and Adam Scott, but the truth is, they've had so many opportunities to capitalize and they haven't done anything of consequence. Tiger just keeps stepping it up, like yesterday when he went 5 under in 4 holes. That's not ordinary. I guess that's just Tiger. But realistically, as a young player and addict of the PGA, it's almost upsetting to see Tiger just dominating everyone. No doubt it's unbelievable and I have so much respect for Tiger and his ability to conquer the game. But seriously, when a guy like JB Holmes wins or Daniel Chopra, the public will acknowledge that they are good players, but most likely it's just luck, or 'they had a good week.' No one would say that about Tiger, and why? His history speaks for itself. I want a young guy to challenge him. But I don't mean verbally like Sabbatini did--I mean head to head, one on one on the course. People think the match of the year will come when Tiger faces Mickleson, which is why so many were bummed when Mickleson lost today at the Accenture. But the truth is, I'd prefer to see the original pairing Tiger was in--Tiger Woods vs. hot shot up-and-comer Anthony Kim. Last year I went to the tournament at Riviera and watched Kim on the final day in which he had 9 birdies for a 64, the low of the day. The guy is long off the tee, attacks the pin, and has a touch around the greens that can without a doubt make him a contender in any tournament he enters into. I vividly remember him making four birdies in a row in a 'tiger-esque' way: 300+ drive, wedge to 6 feet to a tucked pin, and after reading the break, sinking the putt with a simple fist pump and glare into the distance waiting to demolish another hole. It was unbelievable that this kid three years older than me was not only contending with the big guns, but giving them a run for their money. He's my pick on my fantasy team, altho
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3 comments:
If you're looking for someone to challenge Tiger, look to the title of your blog...look for someone with soul. That won't be a young player IMHO. Sabatini don't know the meaning of soul. No. It'll be an old fart. My fondest wish is for a geezer of the tour who is short off the tee to roundly de-stripe Mr. Woods at Augusta National or Torrey Pines using nothing but brains, balls and course management. Someone like Pavin or Olazabel. Now that would be sweet and soulful!
Nick O'Hern has beaten Tiger twice head to head with a smooth, even-keeled approach. No fanfare. No bluster. Just play the game. Play it the way it is supposed to be played. I think he and others with this sort of quiet demeanor are more of a threat to Tiger than the big-mouths like Sabbatini.
It looks to me like Kim might be the answer to Tiger one day, but that day will never come unless Tiger stops dominating every match mentally. It is this trait which completely separates him from everyone else. All tour players can hit it well enough to at least keep it close with him, yet he continues to dominate because of the mind.
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