2019 Northern Trust @ Liberty National, NJ

[North Butte]

> @MattyO1984 said:

> It’s looking more and more like Tiger did some kind of deal with the devil to win the one last Major and the flip side of the deal was that things were going to go back downhill (rapidly) again.

 

Fred Couples has had the same relationship with his back for many years as Tiger does not. Most of the time it means at best being able to tee it up and at worse hardly being able to walk. But once in a while you wake up in the morning and find you're actually able to function almost normally and it lasts for a few days or weeks. The "once in a whiles" get farther and father apart until one day you pretty much don't have any more of them at all.

 

Tiger had a hell of a "once in a while" spell back in April. Never thought I'd see that.

[MattyO1984]

> @"North Butte" said:

> > @MattyO1984 said:

> > It’s looking more and more like Tiger did some kind of deal with the devil to win the one last Major and the flip side of the deal was that things were going to go back downhill (rapidly) again.

>

> Fred Couples has had the same relationship with his back for many years as Tiger does not. Most of the time it means at best being able to tee it up and at worse hardly being able to walk. But once in a while you wake up in the morning and find you're actually able to function almost normally and it lasts for a few days or weeks. The "once in a whiles" get farther and father apart until one day you pretty much don't have any more of them at all.

>

> Tiger had a **** of a "once in a while" spell back in April. Never thought I'd see that.

 

Completely agree, the concern with Tiger over Couples is that Freddie always seemed to be able just to pick up where he left off. That swing was so smooth and free flowing that it didn’t seem to take that much practice. Tiger seems to differently wired. The worry is will he ever, really, be able to get the amount of reps that he needs to get him to where he wants to be.

[North Butte]

> @MattyO1984 said:

> > @"North Butte" said:

> > > @MattyO1984 said:

> > > It’s looking more and more like Tiger did some kind of deal with the devil to win the one last Major and the flip side of the deal was that things were going to go back downhill (rapidly) again.

> >

> > Fred Couples has had the same relationship with his back for many years as Tiger does not. Most of the time it means at best being able to tee it up and at worse hardly being able to walk. But once in a while you wake up in the morning and find you're actually able to function almost normally and it lasts for a few days or weeks. The "once in a whiles" get farther and father apart until one day you pretty much don't have any more of them at all.

> >

> > Tiger had a **** of a "once in a while" spell back in April. Never thought I'd see that.

>

> Completely agree, the concern with Tiger over Couples is that Freddie always seemed to be able just to pick up where he left off. That swing was so smooth and free flowing that it didn’t seem to take that much practice. Tiger seems to differently wired. The worry is will he ever, really, be able to get the amount of reps that he needs to get him to where he wants to be.

 

I agree. Tiger's game does not seem to have that "smoothing it out there" gear.

[BobMorris]

Enjoying the coverage....good stuff.

[QuigleyDU]

It is kinda sad to watch Tiger out there like this. Not much fire power and just grinding every shot. He should hang it up soon until the next masters. he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand.

[Apathy_Overdose]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand.

 

Why do people keep saying this? If he can win there with one leg and a hook hand, why hadn't he won there since 2005? Everything that could've gone right for him in April went right. Wayward drives avoiding trees and ending up in spots he could go at the green, his back and health being at optimal condition, long putts dropping in the first 2 days, inclimate weather pushing up the tee times and allowing him to get into the final group, some Bermuda Triangle wind gust on 12th, Molinarii hitting an invisible tree branch on 15th when they were tied for the lead, top two players in the world in DJ and Brooks missing very makable birdie putts on 17 and 18...on and on.

 

Tiger's season is almost over and that is still the only tournament all year where he has finished within 8 shots of the winner, it was the one-off of all one-offs. The chances of it happening again are very slim. It looks like we're entering another dark age ala 2014-2017 going into next year.

[stanger37]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> It is kinda sad to watch Tiger out there like this. Not much fire power and just grinding every shot. He should hang it up soon until the next masters. he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand.

 

I know it kind of goes against logic with his broken back. but the stats and finishes show...the more he plays the better he plays. He played 6 times leading up to Masters. Ending the season last year, from July to end of September...he starts were better and better to ultimately win. Rest seems like the logical way to go about it, but the more reps seem to get him in a groove and more loose than rest does.

 

Obviously the risk is to blow out his back and be done. However, this cannot be fun for Tiger either. So which edge of the sword do you want?

[Brandons68]

Looking like another MC for tiger early in this one... lol.. hate to see it for my guy but his body is not handling the load very well anymore. Hope he gets back in form by East Lake!

[Ignatius Reilly]

> @Apathy_Overdose said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > It is kinda sad to watch Tiger out there like this. Not much fire power and just grinding every shot. He should hang it up soon until the next masters. ****he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand. ****

>

> Why do people keep saying this? If he can win there with one leg and a hook hand, why hadn't he won there since 2005? Everything that could've gone right for him in April went right. Wayward drives avoiding trees and ending up in spots he could go at the green, his back and health being at optimal condition, long putts dropping in the first 2 days, inclimate weather pushing up the tee times and allowing him to get into the final group, some Bermuda Triangle wind gust on 12th, Molinarii hitting an invisible tree branch on 15th when they were tied for the lead, top two players in the world in DJ and Brooks missing very makable birdie putts on 17 and 18...on and on.

 

Yeah, I feel the same way when I hear that.

 

13 years without a win there is a pretty long stretch to make the argument that he's a sure thing to win. He's won there more than any other current golfer, but.... 13 years.

 

Anyways, back to this tournament. Horrible start, but righting the ship now. Talked about stiffness yesterday and sat out a couple of shots in the pro-am. He really seems to need to play more to be competitive, but that back isn't cooperating. At least it's warm out in NJ, so that should help.

 

[QuigleyDU]

> @Apathy_Overdose said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand.

>

> Why do people keep saying this? If he can win there with one leg and a hook hand, why hadn't he won there since 2005? Everything that could've gone right for him in April went right. Wayward drives avoiding trees and ending up in spots he could go at the green, his back and health being at optimal condition, long putts dropping in the first 2 days, inclimate weather pushing up the tee times and allowing him to get into the final group, some Bermuda Triangle wind gust on 12th, Molinarii hitting an invisible tree branch on 15th when they were tied for the lead, top two players in the world in DJ and Brooks missing very makable birdie putts on 17 and 18...on and on.

>

> Tiger's season is almost over and that is still the only tournament all year where he has finished within 8 shots of the winner, it was the one-off of all one-offs. The chances of it happening again are very slim. It looks like we're entering another dark age ala 2014-2017 going into next year.

 

Even at his very worst he was always competitive at Augusta. that is why I say that. That course does not have any rough so no worries about having to strain his back hacking out of garbage, all the reason you mentioned above that always seem to go his way there. I didn't say he would win, but I guarantee he will be competitive there next year. Look at Freddie Couples as the ultimate example of someone that was a no show every where else on the main tour but found magic at the Masters..

[QuigleyDU]

> @"Ignatius Reilly" said:

> > @Apathy_Overdose said:

> > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > It is kinda sad to watch Tiger out there like this. Not much fire power and just grinding every shot. He should hang it up soon until the next masters. ****he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand. ****

> >

> > Why do people keep saying this? If he can win there with one leg and a hook hand, why hadn't he won there since 2005? Everything that could've gone right for him in April went right. Wayward drives avoiding trees and ending up in spots he could go at the green, his back and health being at optimal condition, long putts dropping in the first 2 days, inclimate weather pushing up the tee times and allowing him to get into the final group, some Bermuda Triangle wind gust on 12th, Molinarii hitting an invisible tree branch on 15th when they were tied for the lead, top two players in the world in DJ and Brooks missing very makable birdie putts on 17 and 18...on and on.

>

> Yeah, I feel the same way when I hear that.

>

> 13 years without a win there is a pretty long stretch to make the argument that he's a sure thing to win. He's won there more than any other current golfer, but.... 13 years.

>

> Anyways, back to this tournament. Horrible start, but righting the ship now. Talked about stiffness yesterday and sat out a couple of shots in the pro-am. He really seems to need to play more to be competitive, but that back isn't cooperating. At least it's warm out in NJ, so that should help.

>

 

Not a sure thing but he is always competitive there. I guess my exaggeration went unnoticed..

[Cincy_Ken]

> @Brandons68 said:

> Looking like another MC for tiger early in this one... lol.. hate to see it for my guy but his body is not handling the load very well anymore. Hope he gets back in form by East Lake!

 

If he does miss cut he'll have work to do at BMW to even make East Lake.

[North Butte]

I said when Tiger first got derailed with the injuries and lifestyle issues that if by some miracle he were actually able to compete again one day, he might pull a Jack-in-86-style last major win at Augusta. Didn't really think he'd do it but he did.

 

There is definitely something about the Masters that makes it the prime candidate for a last hurrah from a great, great player. Small field, local knowledge accumulated over decades of rounds played, no rough, absolutely perfectly manicured conditions, who knows what all. But I don't think that means Tiger has three more wins in him there, given that at best he's looking at a dozen or so more chances.

[JD3]

looks like anyone wanting to see Tiger this weekend needs to make plans to be in Jupiter Island, Florida

[Apathy_Overdose]

Even if he limps into East Lake, he'll be about 25 shots behind the leader after the first round. Not even exaggerating, he's currently 12 behind with everyone starting at even par, he would be _starting_ 10 behind at East Lake with the new rules. So if this was East Lake, he would be 22 strokes back halfway into his round lol. At this point, just shut down for the season and try to get back to some semblance of the health he had in 2018.

[macedan]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @Apathy_Overdose said:

> > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand.

> >

> > Why do people keep saying this? If he can win there with one leg and a hook hand, why hadn't he won there since 2005? Everything that could've gone right for him in April went right. Wayward drives avoiding trees and ending up in spots he could go at the green, his back and health being at optimal condition, long putts dropping in the first 2 days, inclimate weather pushing up the tee times and allowing him to get into the final group, some Bermuda Triangle wind gust on 12th, Molinarii hitting an invisible tree branch on 15th when they were tied for the lead, top two players in the world in DJ and Brooks missing very makable birdie putts on 17 and 18...on and on.

> >

> > Tiger's season is almost over and that is still the only tournament all year where he has finished within 8 shots of the winner, it was the one-off of all one-offs. The chances of it happening again are very slim. It looks like we're entering another dark age ala 2014-2017 going into next year.

>

> Even at his very worst he was always competitive at Augusta. that is why I say that. That course does not have any rough so no worries about having to strain his back hacking out of garbage, all the reason you mentioned above that always seem to go his way there. I didn't say he would win, but I guarantee he will be competitive there next year. Look at Freddie Couples as the ultimate example of someone that was a no show every where else on the main tour but found magic at the Masters..

 

His back is already a glass column with cracks in it, regardless of whether or not he is taking shots out of knee high fescue or fine cut fairways. Things "always seeming to go his way" are easy to remember as opposed to him flailing drives wide right putting him in these hit or miss scenarios to begin with. I understand the exaggeration in your original message but he could barely bring himself to make 4 starts between the Master's and today, with 2 of those being missed cuts.

[MattyO1984]

Looks like the morning guys are ripping things up there at the moment! Troy Merrit -9 thru 15 holes. If this was St Andrews there would be a mass of people right about now saying that it was too easy for the modern game. Is Liberty National too easy?

[KRAMER1997]

There goes the theory he only plays well when it's hot out. It's currently 79 out there and he's still struggling. I think there's some injury that he's not talking about. He was also hitting it 7 yards longer off the tee last year then he is this year.

[QuigleyDU]

> @KRAMER1997 said:

> There goes the theory he only plays well when it's hot out. It's currently 79 out there and he's still struggling. I think there's some injury that he's not talking about. He was also hitting it 7 yards longer off the tee last year then he is this year.

 

He is a less than 170 ball speed with the driver guy now. There is not much pop left in that swing.

[QuigleyDU]

> @macedan said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > @Apathy_Overdose said:

> > > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand.

> > >

> > > Why do people keep saying this? If he can win there with one leg and a hook hand, why hadn't he won there since 2005? Everything that could've gone right for him in April went right. Wayward drives avoiding trees and ending up in spots he could go at the green, his back and health being at optimal condition, long putts dropping in the first 2 days, inclimate weather pushing up the tee times and allowing him to get into the final group, some Bermuda Triangle wind gust on 12th, Molinarii hitting an invisible tree branch on 15th when they were tied for the lead, top two players in the world in DJ and Brooks missing very makable birdie putts on 17 and 18...on and on.

> > >

> > > Tiger's season is almost over and that is still the only tournament all year where he has finished within 8 shots of the winner, it was the one-off of all one-offs. The chances of it happening again are very slim. It looks like we're entering another dark age ala 2014-2017 going into next year.

> >

> > Even at his very worst he was always competitive at Augusta. that is why I say that. That course does not have any rough so no worries about having to strain his back hacking out of garbage, all the reason you mentioned above that always seem to go his way there. I didn't say he would win, but I guarantee he will be competitive there next year. Look at Freddie Couples as the ultimate example of someone that was a no show every where else on the main tour but found magic at the Masters..

>

> His back is already a glass column with cracks in it, regardless of whether or not he is taking shots out of knee high fescue or fine cut fairways. Things "always seeming to go his way" are easy to remember as opposed to him flailing drives wide right putting him in these hit or miss scenarios to begin with. I understand the exaggeration in your original message but he could barely bring himself to make 4 starts between the Master's and today, with 2 of those being missed cuts.

 

I do not disagree with you at all. I just think that Augusta is a magical place for Tiger, that's all.

[JD3]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @KRAMER1997 said:

> > There goes the theory he only plays well when it's hot out. It's currently 79 out there and he's still struggling. I think there's some injury that he's not talking about. He was also hitting it 7 yards longer off the tee last year then he is this year.

>

> He is a less than 170 ball speed with the driver guy now. There is not much pop left in that swing.

 

its there he just doesnt go after it very often due to his back. at the masters this year on 17 he let one loose and ripped it by tony finau.

[Apathy_Overdose]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> I do not disagree with you at all. I just think that Augusta is a magical place for Tiger, that's all.

You're basing that on what happened this year. He was never close to winning that tournament in the 10 years prior. And when was the last time Fred Couples truly had a chance to win the Masters?

 

[Golfnutgalen]

Yeah, he's definitely swinging it slower this season with quite a few drivers under 170. He hit one with 175 earlier today though, so it's still there he's just not feeling comfortable enough to do it more often.

[BobMorris]

> @MattyO1984 said:

> Looks like the morning guys are ripping things up there at the moment! Troy Merrit -9 thru 15 holes. If this was St Andrews there would be a mass of people right about now saying that it was too easy for the modern game. Is Liberty National too easy?

 

With the absence of wind and general overall nasty conditions, you could say that about a LOT of courses nowadays.

[MK7Golf21]

I think this has been a wake up call to Tiger. He was testing the waters to see if he could compete playing only a few times a year.

[QuigleyDU]

> @Apathy_Overdose said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > I do not disagree with you at all. I just think that Augusta is a magical place for Tiger, that's all.

> You're basing that on what happened this year. He was never close to winning that tournament in the 10 years prior. And when was the last time Fred Couples truly had a chance to win the Masters?

>

 

I am basing off facts, name another person in the modern era that has been as consistent as Tiger at the masters??

 

 

 

[KRAMER1997]

> @BobMorris said:

> > @MattyO1984 said:

> > Looks like the morning guys are ripping things up there at the moment! Troy Merrit -9 thru 15 holes. If this was St Andrews there would be a mass of people right about now saying that it was too easy for the modern game. Is Liberty National too easy?

>

> With the absence of wind and general overall nasty conditions, you could say that about a LOT of courses nowadays.

 

I mean you can say that about any course when the conditions are soft and no wind. The scoring average during 3rd round of the Masters was 70.769 and 3 peoples shot 64. I don't think that's ever happened before.

[bscinstnct]

Tigerrrrrrrr!

 

He should just go sit on the couch and eat fruit loops and watch cartoons like,

 

 

 

 

 

[the bishop]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @"Ignatius Reilly" said:

> > > @Apathy_Overdose said:

> > > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > It is kinda sad to watch Tiger out there like this. Not much fire power and just grinding every shot. He should hang it up soon until the next masters. ****he can win there with one leg and an hook for a hand. ****

> > >

> > > Why do people keep saying this? If he can win there with one leg and a hook hand, why hadn't he won there since 2005? Everything that could've gone right for him in April went right. Wayward drives avoiding trees and ending up in spots he could go at the green, his back and health being at optimal condition, long putts dropping in the first 2 days, inclimate weather pushing up the tee times and allowing him to get into the final group, some Bermuda Triangle wind gust on 12th, Molinarii hitting an invisible tree branch on 15th when they were tied for the lead, top two players in the world in DJ and Brooks missing very makable birdie putts on 17 and 18...on and on.

> >

> > Yeah, I feel the same way when I hear that.

> >

> > 13 years without a win there is a pretty long stretch to make the argument that he's a sure thing to win. He's won there more than any other current golfer, but.... 13 years.

> >

> > Anyways, back to this tournament. Horrible start, but righting the ship now. Talked about stiffness yesterday and sat out a couple of shots in the pro-am. He really seems to need to play more to be competitive, but that back isn't cooperating. At least it's warm out in NJ, so that should help.

> >

>

> Not a sure thing but he is always competitive there. I guess my exaggeration went unnoticed..

 

In your post right above this one you guaranteed he'd be competitive there next year. Now it's not a sure thing but he's always been competitive.

[QuigleyDU]

> @Golfnutgalen said:

> Yeah, he's definitely swinging it slower this season with quite a few drivers under 170. He hit one with 175 earlier today though, so it's still there he's just not feeling comfortable enough to do it more often.

 

It is not just ball speed though, He only hits that heel'y cut off the tee with a driver that is very spinny and and not very efficient as far as distance is concerned.