Predictions on when Tiger returns to greatness

[Cheyenne]

When he wins the Masters. * IN 2012*

[502 to Right]

[quote name='MrElculver2424' timestamp='1321224734' post='3796475']
In my opinion, he is already "back". Everyone will have a different view of what "back" means, but from what I saw this week, he is back, in my opinion. His game is finally back, his confidence is there, and he's playing really, really well. a 3rd place finish and -11, only 2 shots behind the winner, is "back" for me.
[/quote]

People said the same thing after the 2011 Masters.

[MileHighClub]

[quote name='502 to Right' timestamp='1321244000' post='3797703']
[quote name='MrElculver2424' timestamp='1321224734' post='3796475']
In my opinion, he is already "back". Everyone will have a different view of what "back" means, but from what I saw this week, he is back, in my opinion. His game is finally back, his confidence is there, and he's playing really, really well. a 3rd place finish and -11, only 2 shots behind the winner, is "back" for me.
[/quote]

People said the same thing after the 2011 Masters.
[/quote]

Yep. It is becoming a broken record that plays over and over.

[OldTomMorris]

Im a definite Tiger skeptic, while I truly admired his golf (especially his epic years) I dont believe he can get back to that level again. Thats not to say he can't win again (including majors possibly setting more records) but the confidence with which some are stating he will win the Masters is extremely misplaced in my mind.

At the moment Im still waiting to see the evidence that he can win. We all know there is a huge difference between a 3rd place finish and actually getting over the line for a W regardless of the player and his previous record its difficult to do.

2012 - a make or break year for Woods

[Llortamaisey]

Return to greatness? Pretty sure he is still great. Last I checked he has more majors than any other active golfer.

Yeah, he has had a tough couple of years, but don't be a prisoner of the moment. Golf is not a sport that can be dominated year after year after year.

People's expectations of Tiger are extremely too high and that's not respectful for Tiger or the game of golf. He may never win another tournament again but that doesn't mean he won't have his greatness.

The thing about greatness in a sport is once you have it, the greatness never goes away. That's why fans don't recall Jordan for the Wizards, Gretzky for the Rangers, Babe for the Braves, Clay vs Berbick, or Montana for the Chiefs.

[tembolo1284]

He'll be in full-flight by June next year. I don't think he'll return to his 2000 form...but maybe like his 2005-2006 form. 3-4 tournaments including a major. Not 6+ like before just because he's older and the younger chaps are going to be taking away some of the tournaments he would have won before. Just the nature of the game.

[ej002]

I just made a bet that he wins 2 before the Masters and wins the Masters. Chevron counts. Put me on the bag, and I will do the Romeo and snap his driver over my knee. Then he wins everything.

[tembolo1284]

[quote name='ej002' timestamp='1321283678' post='3798631']
I just made a bet that he wins 2 before the Masters and wins the Masters. Chevron counts. Put me on the bag, and I will do the Romeo and snap his driver over my knee. Then he wins everything.
[/quote]


There's a lot of truth to that...with the driver I mean.

[bscinstnct]

Hopefully he can win something next year, most important thing is to gain consistence and confidency and get in the zone.

Could take another year to do that.

If he keeps grinding and working hard, he should come back big in 2013.

Hard to see him winning any majors next year, expecially with all the talented players, but you never know. Majors are often lost as opposed to being won so if he can stick around on Sunday, maybe he can win one.

[Skaffa77]

I was really disappointed to see his 3rd round score. "Old" Tiger would have grinded out an even par round. Watching his 4th round was like fire works. It's coming back together and I think once he starts to get that confidence in full swing, we'll really get to see what type of "second" career he'll have...just another top contender or "the" top contender.

I do agree with some sentiments...the Masters will be the stage. I think he'll win a tournament prior to the Masters, but for some reason, I think the Masters is where it'll really show.

[ej002]

I posted this somewhere else, on the site, but did anyone pick up on what Ian baker Finch was saying about the greens? I guess they were redone so they were really grainy, etc. I never seen pro golfers misread putts by two feet before, it happened a lot this past weekend. Normally good putters were having a tough time gettin the ball to fall. So maybe the greens were a bigger factor then we realize? Will all the lip outs - I think Tiger is getting close with the putter.

[MileHighClub]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1321288994' post='3798951']
I was really disappointed to see his 3rd round score. "Old" Tiger would have grinded out an even par round. Watching his 4th round was like fire works. It's coming back together and I think once he starts to get that confidence in full swing, we'll really get to see what type of "second" career he'll have...just another top contender or "the" top contender.

I do agree with some sentiments...the Masters will be the stage. I think he'll win a tournament prior to the Masters, but for some reason, I think the Masters is where it'll really show.
[/quote]

In the past he could contend at Augusta with his eyes closed. However, he was always making everything on the greens. The new Tiger is a mediocre putter at best. Also, even though he has never been real accurate with the driver, he is now really wild with it, which can be trouble at Augusta. I agree the Masters is probably his best shot at a Major, but it is much more uncertain now.

[ej002]

He can win an Open.
2014 - Royal Liverpool - he doesn't need driver. He won there before hittin just the duece.
2015 - St. Andrews

US Opens - doubtful
2019 Pebble? Depends on how in shape he still is in his 40s.

PGAs - Doubtufl

He can win the Masters - but he better win a bunch more of them.



He needs to just ease of the throttle on the driver. There is no need to swing out of his shoes. And I hate the new putting stroke. For the life of me I dont get why he thinks putting the same way he swings is going to benefit him. It makes no sense.

[MileHighClub]

[quote name='ej002' timestamp='1321290798' post='3799095']
He can win an Open.
2014 - Royal Liverpool - he doesn't need driver. He won there before hittin just the duece.
2015 - St. Andrews

US Opens - doubtful
2019 Pebble? Depends on how in shape he still is in his 40s.

PGAs - Doubtufl

He can win the Masters - but he better win a bunch more of them.



He needs to just ease of the throttle on the driver. There is no need to swing out of his shoes. And I hate the new putting stroke. For the life of me I dont get why he thinks putting the same way he swings is going to benefit him. It makes no sense.
[/quote]

You may be right about the Open. His stinger looked good this week.

[tom93084]

Based on the way he played this weekend, I think he'll have the most wins on the pga tour next year unless he has more injury problems.

[TCreighton1973]

[quote name='tom93084' timestamp='1321293142' post='3799283']
Based on the way he played this weekend, I think he'll have the most wins on the pga tour next year unless he has more injury problems.
[/quote]

Yes indeed. Those Saturday (moving day) 75's are imperative to PGA Tour domination.

[tom93084]

[quote name='TCreighton1973' timestamp='1321295208' post='3799431']


Yes indeed. Those Saturday (moving day) 75's are imperative to PGA Tour domination.
[/quote]

Yeah its a pretty good sign when you can shoot a 75 and still beat every other top american player.

[gators78]

[quote name='tom93084' timestamp='1321296569' post='3799535']
[quote name='TCreighton1973' timestamp='1321295208' post='3799431']


Yes indeed. Those Saturday (moving day) 75's are imperative to PGA Tour domination.
[/quote]

Yeah its a pretty good sign when you can shoot a 75 and still beat every other top american player.
[/quote]



Americans aren't what he needs to be worried about, and please, there were 10 of the top 50 in Australia, not exactly scary stuff.

[MileHighClub]

[quote name='tom93084' timestamp='1321296569' post='3799535']
[quote name='TCreighton1973' timestamp='1321295208' post='3799431']

Yes indeed. Those Saturday (moving day) 75's are imperative to PGA Tour domination.
[/quote]

Yeah its a pretty good sign when you can shoot a 75 and still beat every other top american player.
[/quote]

I believe most of the top Americans weren't even in the field. There may have only been 5 or 6 out of the top 20 at the Aussie Open. Don't know good that sign is.

[QMany]

I think he is getting close.

My theory has been:

He was devoting so much of his time to the full-swing change. When that would faulter, his putting and short game were not up to snuff. I feel the full-swing is getting close. He has more time to work on the other parts of his game.

Saturday was just one of those days, all golfers have them. He couldn't get anything to fall. Everyone was having troubles all weekend with the greens. He still shot 75 and had a great shot at winning.

[tom93084]

[quote name='gators78' timestamp='1321297339' post='3799607']




Americans aren't what he needs to be worried about, and please, there were 10 of the top 50 in Australia, not exactly scary stuff.
[/quote]

He doesn't need to be worrying about the australian open in general, and given how many practice rounds he played he wasn't. Just needed to keep getting better with the new swing and working his way back from injury. And I only brought up the americans because so many people had their panties in such a bunch about him being on the american team. Seems like he belongs to me.

[hogans71]

[quote name='tom93084' timestamp='1321299117' post='3799725']
[quote name='gators78' timestamp='1321297339' post='3799607']




Americans aren't what he needs to be worried about, and please, there were 10 of the top 50 in Australia, not exactly scary stuff.
[/quote]

He doesn't need to be worrying about the australian open in general, and given how many practice rounds he played he wasn't. Just needed to keep getting better with the new swing and working his way back from injury. And I only brought up the americans because so many people had their panties in such a bunch about him being on the american team. Seems like he belongs to me.
[/quote]

How do you know how many practice rounds he's had? On top of which, he himself has said for quite some time he's no longer injured. Stop using this...

His life is completely different than it was five, ten years ago. His world has been turned upside down; he is a father of two. Age is slowing catching up- god knows how long the knee will hold up...

The man will win again- thats a given. To say he's back however, is a stretch to say the least. The notion that the rest of the field will wilt in his presence whenever he is spotted near the top is laughable.

Greatness needs to be used in its proper context going forward with this dude. If not, there is an excellent chance for a major letdown for all those fanboys out there...

[6t4gt0]

Never!

[dso1986]

would tiger play better if he had a 7 degree 2 wood

[tom93084]

I read it. Considering he missed most of this year with injury ill keep using it for a little while longer.

[robelinks]

[quote name='dso1986' timestamp='1321302746' post='3799963']
would tiger play better if he had a 7 degree 2 wood
[/quote]

Yes!

[mlamar]

[quote name='rafal' timestamp='1321068082' post='3790579']
He just threw a huge GD-bomb out there, always refreshing.
[/quote]

He's Back !!!

[puttingmatt]

One win will not return Tiger to the dominate force that he once was !!!
But one win would be a good start !!! Its just nice to see him contend !!!

[corky]

He has to come back.... The Golf Channel's needle needs moving.....

[TCreighton1973]

[quote name='ej002' timestamp='1321283678' post='3798631']
I just made a bet that he wins 2 before the Masters and [b]wins the Masters[/b].
[/quote]

Let's see.....we hear that every year.

We heard it in '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11

Hmmmm.....I see a disturbing trend here.

Must not be Tiger's playground any longer. And back then he could actually putt.

T-18