Ernie and Tiger in 2003

[acitore_vuli]

Seems lots of people are jumping on the Ernie Els bandwagon now that he's won the first two events on the PGA tour. Obviously he's playing great and has a huge headstart at winning the money title. Add the fact that Tiger's still rehabbing and probably won't play competitive golf until mid-late February and you have a strong argument for Ernie being the dominant golfer in 2003.

However, I think it's wishful thinking on the part of the golfing community that Ernie will be a legitimate threat to dethrone Tiger as the #1 player in the world or even win the money title in 2003. It would be great to see someone challenge Tiger day in and day out, but it's not realistic.

Since joining the PGA tour in '94 Els has won 12 events. Since joining the PGA in '96, Tiger has won 34 events. If you follow the stats, as I do, you can find staggering numbers that explain why Tiger is far and above the best player in the world and perhaps the best player the world has ever known.

In 2001 Els and Woods both played in 18 events with Els finishing in the top 10 seven times, while Woods finished in the top 10 thirteen times, including two majors.

One stat that has floored me for the last several years is the consecutive cuts stat. Davis Love III and Chris Riley are currently tied for second with 16 consecutive cuts made. Tiger is in first place with 96 cuts made.

It will be interesting to see how the 2003 season plays out, but I wouldn't put too much stock in Ernie winning many, if any more tournaments this year, since he averages 1.29 wins per year.

Tiger, on the other hand averages 4.86 per year.

I believe Tiger is the best golfer the world has known to date and will go on to break every major record there is, barring injury.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Starblayde]

I don't care, because we won the Ryder Cup

 

[Guest]

I don't give a fuck about golf. It's not even a sport.

 

[acitore_vuli]

I don't care, because we won the Ryder Cup

Blow me.

 

[acitore_vuli]

I don't give a fuck about golf. It's not even a sport.

You too.

 

[Starblayde]

Blow me.

Can i do it holding the Ryder Cup aloft in triumph?

 

[acitore_vuli]

Can i do it holding the Ryder Cup aloft in triumph?

Sure. Can I cum in it?

 

[Starblayde]

Sure. Can I cum in it?

only when (if!) you win it back

 

[acitore_vuli]

only when (if!) you win it back

Actually, you'll need both hands.

 

[P. B. Walker]

I predict Tiger has his worst season yet.

 

[acitore_vuli]

I predict Tiger has his worst season yet.

You'll have to get in line, but blow me.

 

[Starblayde]

Actually, you'll need both hands.

you said blow. not blow and jack you off at the same time! sheesh

 

[Tungwagger]

I predict Tiger has his worst season yet.

You mean he'll only win 4 tournaments?...

 

[P. B. Walker]

You'll have to get in line, but blow me.

I'm serious... I think he's mentally off his game after that blowup at the British last year. And now this surgery. I don't think he's got the time to get himself back into it mental and physically unless he takes off half the year. No way is he a contender at Augusta. I'll say he finishes in top 10... but that's it.

PBW

 

[A Desert Rose]

Ernie almost lost to Aaron Baddely this weekend. Did you see?

That last putt of Baddely's was a true heartbreaker.

 

[A Desert Rose]

I have to agree with you. Bar none, Tiger IS the world's best golfer.

 

[acitore_vuli]

I'm serious... I think he's mentally off his game after that blowup at the British last year. And now this surgery. I don't think he's got the time to get himself back into it mental and physically unless he takes off half the year. No way is he a contender at Augusta. I'll say he finishes in top 10... but that's it.

PBW

Do you forget that he completely revamped his swing in one off season and came back the following year and won event after event? For mortal players, it can take years to revamp a swing.

As for his terrible round at the open, look at some of the other scores that day. He wasn't the only one with a bad round, but he battled none the less and never gave up, the sign of a true champion.

Keep in mind also that he played in pain the enire 2002 season. He now says he feels no pain whatsoever in the knee. I say look out.

 

[acitore_vuli]

I have to agree with you. Bar none, Tiger IS the world's best golfer.

Brilliant minds think alike.

 

[P. B. Walker]

Do you forget that he completely revamped his swing in one off season and came back the following year and won event after event? For mortal players, it can take years to revamp a swing.

As for his terrible round at the open, look at some of the other scores that day. He wasn't the only one with a bad round, but he battled none the less and never gave up, the sign of a true champion.

Keep in mind also that he played in pain the enire 2002 season. He now says he feels no pain whatsoever in the knee. I say look out.

True... but I doubt he's revamping his swing right now. I doubt he's swinging much at all. The biggest mistake he can make it not allowing the knee enough time to heal properly before getting back into it.

I'm not talking about the others. I just think that one round brought him down a notch mentally. He was kinda flat for the rest of the year, compared to how he was the first half of the year. The fact that he'd gotten 2 out of the 4 majors and then fell apart in the 3rd is a tough blow to take.

Ohh... and let's not forget... he's in love now.

I say this is a rebuilding year. He'll win a few sure, but I doubt he wins more than one major, if that. Now, next year... I think that will be his year. He'll win all 4 majors.

 

[acitore_vuli]

Ohh... and let's not forget... he's in love now.

.

You have a point there.

He's hitting about 100 balls a day right now. Far from the thousand most pros hit a day. But, he IS being careful and not rushing his return to competitive golf.

This reminds me of something. If you've seen Tiger swing the club, you'll notice how fast his body moves. Albeit he is in perfect sync and balance, but that's not a swing that he will be able to maintain over the years, so he will be in for at least one more revamp.

 

[P. B. Walker]

You have a point there.

He's hitting about 100 balls a day right now. Far from the thousand most pros hit a day. But, he IS being careful and not rushing his return to competitive golf.

This reminds me of something. If you've seen Tiger swing the club, you'll notice how fast his body moves. Albeit he is in perfect sync and balance, but that's not a swing that he will be able to maintain over the years, so he will be in for at least one more revamp.

Oh at least one... probably more like 3 to 5. I'm sure most pro's go thru a revamp quite often... or at least do some fine tuning.

I think Tiger realizes this too... which is why he's got such an intense workout routine also. Did you notice how much he bulked up between college and like his 2nd year on the tour? Dude is packin some heat.

I'd dare say Tiger is probably in better shape than any other pro golfer... at the very least he's in the top 3.

PBW

 

[West Mass Man]

I wouldn't be surprised if he comes back better -- the injury may provide him with an extra challenge to overcome, which may be even more incentive than he usually has. At the same time, it will take him a bit to get healthy -- and I don't want to suffer through articles about how he is done because he finishes 50th in his first tournament back.

That said -- Who cares! The Super Bowl is this week! Pitchers and catchers in a month! The NCAA tournament in March! Much more interesting things to look forward to.

 

[A Desert Rose]

That said -- Who cares! The Super Bowl is this week! Pitchers and catchers in a month! The NCAA tournament in March! Much more interesting things to look forward to.

Well, according to some.

 

[Ham Murabi]

Tiger will win the money title

if he decides to play enough to do so. It is still up to him, but I don't think he'll alter his schedule significantly.
Els is hitting the ball farther and straighter, and a lot of it has to do with technology. The same is available to Woods, so don't be surprised it he also goes longer and just as straight.
The fact is, Augusta National is perfect for Woods and other long hitters because they have stretched the course. No one, meanwhile, has Tiger's game or his concentration.
Woods will come back when he's healthy, and he will be a force to be reckoned with. I expect him to win the Masters again, and at least one other major this year.
Tiger knows golf history, and he's not going to take a year off as he approaches his prime.

 

[acitore_vuli]

Oh at least one... probably more like 3 to 5. I'm sure most pro's go thru a revamp quite often... or at least do some fine tuning.

I think Tiger realizes this too... which is why he's got such an intense workout routine also. Did you notice how much he bulked up between college and like his 2nd year on the tour? Dude is packin some heat.

I'd dare say Tiger is probably in better shape than any other pro golfer... at the very least he's in the top 3.

PBW

Yes, pro golfers are always fine tuning their swing, but they rarely change their entire swing and mechanics. Let alone be able to do it and show results like Tiger has in such a short period of time.

Yes he has bulked up, no doubt about it. He can bench 300lbs, not bad for a golfer.

I would agree that he is in better physical condition than most, if not all players on tour. He has tremendous forearm strength and he has demonstrated that numerous times.

Hitting a 6 iron out of 4 inch rough from 240 yards and leaving it within 4 feet of the cup aint luck. lol