# Tiger is back. all Hail tiger **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 5, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614 "2011-08-05T17:38:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/181 "2012-03-27T03:36:03Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > when I say “Just Another golfer” it is a reflection of their current game. What Mickelson did in 1993 is irrelevant as what Tiger did in 2000 is irrelevant. Which is why I noted Tiger’s achievements over the last few months, and Phil’s just last month. Besides, you want it both ways. No matter what they do, you can find some reason or another to dismiss the actual recent results of Tiger and Phil, but you have no problem putting great weight on the ailments that you imagine lurk in Phil’s future. You’re even willing to imply that Phil is lying about his prognosis. And most bizarre of all, you think Phil is done winning, just a month after he put together the best two weeks of golf we’ve seen all year from anybody, including Rory. There is simply no rational basis for that, so it’s obvious that you would rather cling to an indefensible position than admit you are wrong. Everybody in the world but you agrees that Tiger and Phil are two of the best golfers on the planet, even based only on 2012 results. They are the first and third favorites to win the Masters next week, if you consider Phil’s February win, backed up by a P2, not current enough. They are among the top four most interesting players to watch, regardless of how they are playing in a given week, because they attempt spectacular shots, and usually pull them off. It’s ridiculous to even argue about whether or not they are just ordinary players, so I’ll stop doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/182 "2012-04-08T19:35:26Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Everybody in the world but you agrees that Tiger and Phil are two of the best golfers on the planet, even based only on 2012 results. They are the first and third favorites to win the Masters next week. Tiger is so close to putting it all together! ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/183 "2012-04-08T21:11:00Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Tiger is so close to putting it all together! Hey, he tied with McIlroy! Seriously, his performance this week was absolutely inexplicable, especially when you consider that he was T4 in the Masters the last two years, when he was playing much, much worse than he has so far this year. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/184 "2012-04-08T22:04:05Z")
Just Another Golfer ~~Duck and Run~~ LMAO ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/185 "2012-04-08T22:10:08Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Hey, he tied with McIlroy! > > Seriously, his performance this week was absolutely inexplicable, especially when you consider that he was T4 in the Masters the last two years, when he was playing much, much worse than he has so far this year. What’s inexplicable? Tiger’s mental game has been off since his wife came after him with a golf club, which is years now. Winning one tournament was never going to take his head back to the space it was in back in his heyday. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/186 "2012-04-08T22:20:25Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Just Another Golfer Are you still on Phil’s case? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/187 "2012-04-08T22:22:11Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > What’s inexplicable? It means impossible to explain. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/188 "2012-04-08T22:45:55Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > It means impossible to explain. No it isn’t. Tiger is Just Another Golfer these days. That is the explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/189 "2012-04-09T03:45:09Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > It means impossible to explain. Then let me repeat. What is hard to explain about a guy who’s been playing erratically for a couple years shooting 72-75-72-74 at the Masters? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/190 "2012-04-09T12:49:51Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Hey, he tied with McIlroy! > > Seriously, his performance this week was absolutely inexplicable, especially when you consider that he was T4 in the Masters the last two years, when he was playing much, much worse than he has so far this year. Tiger just had an “off week at the wrong time”. He’ll be putting it all together very soon, dominating golf and bringing vast relief to the fans and pundits who know that professional golf will not survive without his being in contention to win every tournament. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/191 "2012-04-09T13:56:01Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I get that Nicklaus is one of the other two, but who’s the other one, IYO? Hogan? Jones? Hagen? I like Tiger winning; it’s good for the fiscal health of professional golf. Pity that another African-American hasn’t shown up to take the reins. Even if you think that this victory marks a resurgence of Tiger Woods in majors, surely he can’t do it for many more years? You can win over 40, as [this chart](http://www.pgasportsdaily.com/pga-golf/list-of-major-champions-over-40-ap.html) shows, but it isn’t that likely. I don’t think Woods considers himself to be African-American so not sure how that’s relevant to him. I think he will break the record. In fact, my prediction is that he starts his next run by winning the British Open. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/192 "2012-04-09T13:59:21Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Tiger just had an “off week at the wrong time”. > > He’ll be putting it all together very soon, dominating golf and bringing vast relief to the fans and pundits who know that professional golf will not survive without his being in contention to win every tournament. I don’t agree. He’s a huge draw but golf has moved on from just being the Tiger show. I’d say ratings for Sunday’s final round were very high despite Tiger being out of contention. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/193 "2012-04-09T14:45:16Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > I don’t think Woods considers himself to be African-American so not sure how that’s relevant to him. > > I think he will break the record. In fact, my prediction is that he starts his next run by winning the British Open. It really doesn’t matter what Woods considers himself; what matters is how the giant number of fans that Woods helped bring to professional golf perceive him. And, IMO, they perceive him as African-American. Or are we all under the impression that golf’s increased popularity in the late 90s-early 00s was solely because Woods was one of the top three golfers of all time? It certainly wasn’t because of Woods’s charisma, or ability to work the galleries. Be that as it may, [Ladbroke’s tends to agree with you](http://sports.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/Golf-c110000008) about Tiger’s chances at the British Open, where they have him at 6/1 to win. FWIW, he’s not won the Open before at Royal Lytham; Duval won in 2001 and Lehman in 1996. So, I’m not sure why he’s such a favorite now, other than his overwhelming popularity drives casual betting. Is it because Lytham’s a links course, and Tiger has done very well at St. Andrews? If Harrington’s game is back, I’d think he’d be a considerable favorite. I wonder if the R&A is going to have Lytham lengthened, like was done at St. Andrews? It currently [plays at 7118](http://www.royallytham.org/scorecard) and I don’t know if that cuts it anymore in these days of 350 yd drives. Are there decent numbers showing TV ratings now versus at the height of Tiger’s popularity? I know that [ESPN is trumpeting their high ratings](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/04/07/espn-has-record-setting-friday-masters-audience/128003/) for Thursday and Friday Masters telecasts, but I’m curious about network television’s ratings. A 3.3 rating is great for ESPN, but compares poorly[to the 10.1 and 14.1 CBS was getting back in 1997 and 1999](http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news00/woods13.html). I know, I know, there are many more entertainment options now than then, and many more ways to watch golf than by turning on CBS, but still… I agree with you though that things appear to be better than[they were two years ago](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703699204575017550261245506.html). ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/194 "2012-04-09T15:46:49Z")
Question: do we pencil Tiger in as a Ryder Cup wild card in case he’s not in the top 10 Americans after this year’s PGA? (Also, IIRC, this year’s majors count double for qualifying points, so he might make it in “on merit” anyway - especially if he can keep his drives straight; the US Open tends to reward long, straight drivers.) ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/195 "2012-04-09T16:23:13Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Then let me repeat. What is hard to explain about a guy who’s been playing erratically for a couple years shooting 72-75-72-74 at the Masters? It’s hard to explain because in 2010 and 2011, he wasn’t just playing erratically, he was playing terribly. He was finishing DFL in no-cut events, and MC in events with a cut. And yet, he finished T4 in the Masters both of those years. In 2012, up to last week, he was playing consistently well. Nothing like the 2000 Tiger, but he was first in a lot of ball striking categories, had played well in every event (top 20 in every event he finished), and had two wins and two more top threes in the last four months, counting the Chevron. So even if you were one of the five people in the world who didn’t consider him a favorite at the Masters, I doubt that you expected that he would post his lowest Masters finish as a pro, and his lowest pro finish in any major where he made the cut. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/196 "2012-04-09T16:37:38Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Question: do we pencil Tiger in as a Ryder Cup wild card in case he’s not in the top 10 Americans after this year’s PGA? (Also, IIRC, this year’s majors count double for qualifying points, so he might make it in “on merit” anyway - especially if he can keep his drives straight; the US Open tends to reward long, straight drivers.) I think Davis Love has already said Tiger will play if he’s healthy. And if he’s healthy, he will easily earn his spot, just like that McIlroy guy he tied with yesterday. For you guys who go on about how erratic Tiger has been this year, yesterday was the 15th stroke play round that Tiger completed with Rory in the same event. And over those 15 rounds, Tiger has taken a grand total of three shots more than Rory. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/197 "2012-04-09T16:38:45Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Question: do we pencil Tiger in as a Ryder Cup wild card in case he’s not in the top 10 Americans after this year’s PGA? (Also, IIRC, this year’s majors count double for qualifying points, so he might make it in “on merit” anyway - especially if he can keep his drives straight; the US Open tends to reward long, straight drivers.) [2012 Ryder Cup Standings](http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/info/?131) Top 8 are automatically qualified, and Captain Davis Love III gets 4 picks. Tiger is currently 5th in the standings and his lead is tenuous at best. A top 10 finish from #10 Johnson Wagner will launch ahead of Woods. I suspect that TW will not play again until Charlotte (at the earliest and missing three tournaments) and he most likely will be out of the top 8 of the RC standings at that time. Theoretically, as many as 5 players could pass him this week. But it doesn’t matter! DL III has already indicated that he will be picking Tiger :dubious: if he does not make the team. The only Ryder Cup we have won in this century is the one that TW did not play. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/198 "2012-04-09T16:39:07Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > It’s hard to explain because in 2010 and 2011, he wasn’t just playing erratically, he was playing terribly. He was finishing DFL in no-cut events, and MC in events with a cut. And yet, he finished T4 in the Masters both of those years. > > In 2012, up to last week, he was playing consistently well. Nothing like the 2000 Tiger, but he was first in a lot of ball striking categories, had played well in every event (top 20 in every event he finished), and had two wins and two more top threes in the last four months, counting the Chevron. > > So even if you were one of the five people in the world who didn’t consider him a favorite at the Masters, I doubt that you expected that he would post his lowest Masters finish as a pro, and his lowest pro finish in any major where he made the cut. I agree, while inexplicable should never be used when talking about golf (because its golf) I do think that his poor performance this time out is out of sync with his recent play when considering also Tiger’s affinity for playing Augusta at any time. Like I said once before, I expect Tiger will be t top golfer again, but the Tiger who you could reasonably take against the field is long gone. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/199 "2012-04-09T17:43:03Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > The only Ryder Cup we have won in this century is the one that TW did not play. LOL, like it was Tiger’s fault that the Euros were so deep in 2010 that the #8 player in the world at the time, Paul Casey, didn’t make the team even as a Captain’s Pick. These are not the days when Jack and Arnie play against a British-only team with maybe one guy in the world top ten. For the record, Tiger went 3-1-0, and nobody on either team did better. Meanwhile, everybody gushed over the other Captain’s Pick, Ricky Bieber, who didn’t win a single match, and possibly cost us the Cup with a bonehead penalty incurred from switching balls in mid-hole. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614/200 "2012-04-09T17:53:39Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > It really doesn’t matter what Woods considers himself; what matters is how the giant number of fans that Woods helped bring to professional golf perceive him. And, IMO, they perceive him as African-American. Or are we all under the impression that golf’s increased popularity in the late 90s-early 00s was solely because Woods was one of the top three golfers of all time? It certainly wasn’t because of Woods’s charisma, or ability to work the galleries. I’m sorry to derail this thread but I absolutely disagree. As someone who is married to a bi-racial woman it absolutely does matter. People should be allowed classify themsevles however they like (within reason). Woods is proud of his heritage but he’s made it clear that he’s not solely African-American. We should honour his choice. Also, I’m not sure how much his involvement has actually done for black participation in golf (I’m happy to be enlightned). What I am sure of is his impact on the popularity of golf globally. Woods has absolutely changed the face of golf and dragged it into an entirely new age. When he hit the scene he was a dominant, exciting golfer whom people paid attention to. The Elvis of golf. His impact shouldn’t be underestimated. He’s not the golfer he was but then he is now 36 and injuries are starting to take their toll. He can still win at the majoris but it’ll take a lot out of him in the process. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-is-back-all-hail-tiger/591614.md?page=11)