# \[Tiger\]'s (almost) BAAAAAAAACK! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 20, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652 "2009-02-20T01:41:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/1 "2009-02-20T01:41:23Z")
According to all the news sites, Tiger Woods will tee it up next week in the Accenture Match Play Championship. Anyone want to make a guess how many weeks before he wins? (My money is on 1). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/2 "2009-02-20T02:50:43Z")
There are a few tourneys in the Florida swing that have pretty flat courses and are close to home. But he usually thrives on tough courses. The ones that the winner has to go deep do not seem to be his thing. Be interesting if his drivers starts hitting the fairway. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@The\_Tof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tof)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/3 "2009-02-20T08:29:57Z")
I would not at all be surprised to see the man come out and take his first tournament. He is not human. He has repeatedly said he would not play unless he felt he could win. I know you would think he would be rusty. But really… Tigers rusty is a standard players Tournament Ready. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/4 "2009-02-20T14:21:29Z")
Man, the more I read and hear about his imminent return reminds me how much I’ve preferred the golf world in his absence. Funny how so many brands/products consider him a sure-fire marketing tie-in, because for me association with Tiger is an instant turn-off. Lefty shot 8-under yesterday. By now I know neither he nor anyone else will ever compete with Tiger - at least not for another decade and a half. But I find it far more enjoyable to watch AK, Camillo, Lefty, Kenny Perry, and all the others duke it out, instead of watching them all recede behind Tiger. Hell, if Tiger is in the lead on Sunday I’d rather watch the LPGA, Seniors, Europeans, Nationwide, or even Big Break! Just my opinion - and I know many/most of you disagree. Oh yeah - I’ll predict that he loses the match-play, but wins his next start. And let’s give him 1 more major this year. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/5 "2009-02-20T19:29:58Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Man, the more I read and hear about his imminent return reminds me how much I’ve preferred the golf world in his absence. (snip) Just my opinion - and I know many/most of you disagree. Really, I’m almost the exact opposite. I may have watched an hours worth of golf since Tiger’s last round. Its not that I wouldn’t enjoy watching the rest of the best golfers in the world play without him around but because when Tiger is playing there is a chance you just might see something that has never been done before, something amazing. He makes those type of plays with a greater frequency than any other golfer alive right now. I feel much the same way about basketball when Kobe or LeBron are playing. I love watching basketball anyways but when one of those guys are playing there is a chance that they could do something that hasn’t been done since Wilt, if at all. Lately, I have even been watching the Washington Capitals for much the same reason because of Alex Ovechkin. Dude makes some ridiculous plays. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/6 "2009-02-20T20:41:12Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Oh yeah - I’ll predict that he loses the match-play, but wins his next start. Agreed- match play isn’t Tiger’s strong suit, and it might be bad for his first tournament post-surgery. I am surprised by his choice- I would have expected him to come back for a stroke play tourney. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/7 "2009-02-20T21:22:58Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > Agreed- match play isn’t Tiger’s strong suit, … Without going to the stats, he _did_ win this match play tourney and the US Am several times. And I think some would add in his record in tourneys where he leads after 54 holes. I think it is a combination of him being pretty darned good in match play, and just about everyone else wilting when going head-to-head with him. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/8 "2009-02-20T21:37:44Z")
Please use descriptive thread titles. ---
**Author:** ![whatami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/85f322/32.png) [@whatami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whatami)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/9 "2009-02-21T01:55:59Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Man, the more I read and hear about his imminent return reminds me how much I’ve preferred the golf world in his absence. > > Funny how so many brands/products consider him a sure-fire marketing tie-in, because for me association with Tiger is an instant turn-off. > > Lefty shot 8-under yesterday. By now I know neither he nor anyone else will ever compete with Tiger - at least not for another decade and a half. But I find it far more enjoyable to watch AK, Camillo, Lefty, Kenny Perry, and all the others duke it out, instead of watching them all recede behind Tiger. > > Hell, if Tiger is in the lead on Sunday I’d rather watch the LPGA, Seniors, Europeans, Nationwide, or even Big Break! > > Just my opinion - and I know many/most of you disagree. > > Oh yeah - I’ll predict that he loses the match-play, but wins his next start. And let’s give him 1 more major this year. I can certainly understand your point of view, but I do see it the other way as well. I haven’t watched much this year, but I can guarantee that I will next weekend (and I bet the ratings for that weekend are huge) ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/10 "2009-02-21T19:56:14Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > Agreed- match play isn’t Tiger’s strong suit, and it might be bad for his first tournament post-surgery. I am surprised by his choice- I would have expected him to come back for a stroke play tourney. Accenture is a sponsor of Tiger, which I am sure is the determining factor. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/11 "2009-02-21T22:57:20Z")
Oooh, how cynical… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/12 "2009-02-22T03:56:12Z")
Phil Mickleson sure got the message - this week is your last best chance to win a tournament. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/13 "2009-02-22T15:37:30Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Phil Mickleson sure got the message - this week is your last best chance to win a tournament. I’m a Mickelson fan and really hopes he holds on today. I think Tiger’s first win this year will be at the Masters. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/14 "2009-02-22T16:29:14Z")
> [@whatami](#): > > I haven’t watched much this year, but I can guarantee that I will next weekend (and I bet the ratings for that weekend are huge) Well, of course there is always the inherent danger of a matchplay tourney . . . ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/15 "2009-02-22T19:39:08Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Well, of course there is always the inherent danger of a matchplay tourney . . . Yes, I had the same thought. It won’t be until the week after the Math Play Championship that the ratings will be certain to be up on the weekend. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/16 "2009-02-23T15:40:18Z")
Phil sure won that in a resounding fashion! :rolleyes: More seriously, tho, that was a fun leader board IMO. And at least Lefty birdied 2 or 3 down the stretch, with a couple of key putts when it mattered. 3 majors and 35 wins, and he’s the punchline to any number of jokes. Weird game. Can’t remember the last time I saw a shot as poor as Freddie’s second on 18. Then he almost jars his 3d! What fun. Anyone hear anything hinting at Tiger’s schedule after next week? I imagine, tho, that he has little incentive to do anything other than see how things go this weekend before making any firm committments. No matter what the outcome this weekend, I could easily imagine him kicking back until Bay Hill, 2 weeks before the Master’s. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/17 "2009-02-25T18:00:01Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Man, the more I read and hear about his imminent return reminds me how much I’ve preferred the golf world in his absence. [You’re not the only one.](http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3933129&categoryid=2378529) (Link goes to video.) ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/18 "2009-02-25T18:51:48Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > [You’re not the only one.](http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3933129&categoryid=2378529) (Link goes to video.) Superb!! I’m an unabashed Tiger booster, and I am so glad to see him back. BTW guys on Golf Channel say Woods is scheduled to tee up 2 minutes after coverage starts (at 2pm ET). Gentlemen, start your TVs!!! They will show all his shots. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/19 "2009-02-25T19:21:06Z")
I thought [this article](http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-23-morrisseyfeb23,0,7783923.column) the other day by Chicago Trib writer Rick Morrissey described the situation pretty exceptionally well. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652/20 "2009-02-25T19:22:23Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > [You’re not the only one.](http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3933129&categoryid=2378529) (Link goes to video.) I do not get that attitude. The golf tourney goes on like always. Very good golfers competing every week. But, now you have Tiger tossed into the mix. He is the most recognizable athlete in the US. He brings excitement and a new plot to follow. In no way does he take anything away from the tournament. He adds to it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiger-s-almost-baaaaaaaack/486652.md?page=2)