Why I like Tiger going into the weekend...

[Jim Kobylinski]

This man's swing has been off for 2 straight days. I have seen maybe A DOZEN even decent swings from him and guess what?

He's +3, only 5 shots back with 2 full days to make it up. That says A LOT for this man's ability to grind and make it through a round.

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So, how's he going to do it:

Hopefully, he's going to hit the range and figure out the 2 things making him swing it so bad the last couple days:

1) He is well below the TSP at the top of most of his backswing and if he gets a little bit more "up" in his backswing he is going to start hooking it, A LOT. *LIGHTBULB*

2) That should make him figure out he's trying to swing too far to the right to hit the draw (and reluctantly only hit a push most of the time). So like any great student of the golf swing, he'll figure out he doesn't have to force the draw anymore, just SLIGHTLY in/out with a little more of a closed face and the draws will come back.

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If he can figure this out on the range he'll have so much confidence, ability, and intimidation over the weekend i don't see anyone challenging EXCEPT for VJ.

Now i could be completely wrong about this and he may not figure it out at all and just keeping swinging too in/out and ending up in that funky looking finish position both Sat/Sun and finish top 10/15.

But if i'm right, i hope to make another solid prediction like i did about Michael Cambell at the US Open, the 2006 US Open and the post i made about who has the best chance to win the 2006 Masters (due the lengthening of the course).

Let's see what happens


Michael Campbell Prediction
2006 US Open Prediction
2006 Masters Prediction

 

[mcflog]

I tend to agree. However I think the 2some of Stads and Calcavecchia is an interesting pair to watch tommorrow. Think there personalities pair well together and look to see both play very solidly on Saturday. Two other groups I really like .. Wilson and Weir....and Howell and Rose. But Sunday afternoon still hard to see it not coming down to VJ or Tiger.

 

[shootin4par]

why I dont like tiger, he is too up and down this year. But then again maybe I am just holding him to tiger standards

 

[puttmad]

If Stenson starts to putt well, look out for him...

I do like Justin at the moment...Sems to stay out of trouble more than most..And he can putt!...

 

[mcflog]

why I dont like tiger, he is too up and down this year. But then again maybe I am just holding him to tiger standards

which is also a good reason to like Tiger lol. He's played relatively horrible by his standards for 36 holes and he's still right in the hunt. Just can't see him playing that way for 36 more holes. And I think the people in front of him know that, So you have players with maybe the exception of 1 or 2 that will be trying to seperate themselves from the field and maybe trying to force it a little instead of letting the course come to them. Which is the very reason Clark is where he is. He can't overpower the course, so he has to play that conservative game. Of course Tiger could put himself in that same boat with some of the others of trying to force it, like he did in the final round a few years back. All in all the most wide open Masters in many years, should be an exciting weekend.

 

[diggerdog]

I think the reason you like Tiger going into the weekend is he is the best golfer in the world.Your soothsaying impressed me not. Go out on a limb, don't hug the tree.

 

[Ryan Smither]

Upon review of the swing footage that we captured during Tuesday's practice round, Brian's pick was one Vaughn Taylor.

 

[Leftyplayer]

I have to stick with my fellow lefty swingin' Canuck, Mike Weir. I hope he can keep it together today and be in contention. Like most of the field, he needs to make some putts.

 

[tbarbertab]

The Master's winner has come from the last group on Sunday every year since 1991. Somehow you just knew that the field would come back and allow Tiger into the last group. I don't think anyone will touch him tomorrow. That said, I'm pulling for Phil to climb back into it...

 

[hg]

What people in the golf business are afraid to say

What have they done to this year's Masters. With a lengthened course, added rough, rock hard greens what was once a tournament with thrills and gambling shots has been reduced to play it safe, lay it up, chip close and hope you can make the 5 foot putt. They'll have to clear the lakes out of all the golf balls that went in today...to make room for the ones on Sunday. I agree with Mr. Weir's comments that someone is really missing the boat. Guys are now going into greens with longer irons and greens so hard that nothing holds. Too bad ....I loved watching the Masters.. but this one this year...no thanks...BORING...I may watch the last round tommorrow...but maybe not...there might be a baseball game on with more excitement.

 

[Jared Willerson]

What have they done to this year's Masters. With a lengthened course, added rough, rock hard greens what was once a tournament with thrills and gambling shots has been reduced to play it safe, lay it up, chip close and hope you can make the 5 foot putt. They'll have to clear the lakes out of all the golf balls that went in today...to make room for the ones on Sunday. I agree with Mr. Weir's comments that someone has really missing the boat. Guys are now going into greens with longer irons and greens so hard that nothing holds. Too bad ....I loved watching the Masters.. but this one this year...no thanks...BORING...I may watch the last round tommorrow...but maybe not...there might be a baseball game on with more excitement.

I agree, it was total carnage, Fuzzy said there were no roars at all.

Just what we need a bunch golf snobs ruining another tournament, have you noticed all the USGA bastages are members of Augusta now? Yep, their goal is to turn every tournament into Carnoustie. Pitiful. Just like in real life, people with too much money and too little sense run stuff.

BTW, no way Billy Payne has ever broken 80, like was reported in Golfweek, you don't pick this game up at 45, not take it seriously until a couple of years ago and be a 6 handi, I don't care how good of an athlete you are. And then to say you shoot 75 from the members tees at Augusta, please.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Manzella's How to Fix the Masters...

Cut all the grass except for tees and greens the same height—just like it was the first time I saw it in 1990.

Cut down all those $1.95 pine trees that muck up the visual vistas and the alternate angles that Jones and MacKenzie wanted.

Move up the tees about 20 yards on 13 & 15.

Done!

 

[Bigwill]

BTW, no way Billy Payne has ever broken 80, like was reported in Golfweek, you don't pick this game up at 45, not take it seriously until a couple of years ago and be a 6 handi, I don't care how good of an athlete you are. And then to say you shoot 75 from the members tees at Augusta, please.

It can happen. I've actually seen someone get down to about 5 within a few years having started playing at 45. Well, except for the Augusta part.

 

[shootin4par]

appleby seems done before he even plays the final round

"Well, [Woods] won't even know I'm there," said Appleby. "I'm sure I'll know he's there."


sounds like the quote of a champion

 

[birdie_man]

What have they done to this year's Masters. With a lengthened course, added rough, rock hard greens what was once a tournament with thrills and gambling shots has been reduced to play it safe, lay it up, chip close and hope you can make the 5 foot putt. They'll have to clear the lakes out of all the golf balls that went in today...to make room for the ones on Sunday. I agree with Mr. Weir's comments that someone is really missing the boat. Guys are now going into greens with longer irons and greens so hard that nothing holds. Too bad ....I loved watching the Masters.. but this one this year...no thanks...BORING...I may watch the last round tommorrow...but maybe not...there might be a baseball game on with more excitement.

You know what I've found it boring too man. Too much struggling....not enough razzle dazzle.

 

[birdie_man]

"Well, [Woods] won't even know I'm there," said Appleby. "I'm sure I'll know he's there."


sounds like the quote of a champion

Ha......no crap man.

How about: "I'm gonna let him know I'm there."

Or maybe better yet- don't even acknowledge the guy at all....

 

[self-mastery]

I love watching the pros struggle.

 

[Toolish]

"Well, [Woods] won't even know I'm there," said Appleby. "I'm sure I'll know he's there."


sounds like the quote of a champion

That is Appleby's personality. Very grounded and a dry sense of humour. The sort of guy to let his clubs do the talking. Very similar in that regard to the reigning U.S. Open champ.

Now, I am not saying he will beat Tiger tomorrow, but just because he doesn't say things like "I am going to show him who I am" doesn't mean he isn't thinking it and doesn't believe in himself.

In a way that is a fundamental difference in culture between Australians and Americans. Indeed when Badds.com turned pro and said he wanted to be world number 1 and compete in majors a lot of the Australian public shot him down and said to wait for results before making such claims.

 

[puttmad]

TBH it's going to be a good last day...

So far it's been a case of who's been losing it, rather than anyone winning it...
Perhaps that'll change today, Padraig wants one, Justin wants one. Tiger looks puzzled (or is that just an act?)...

Someone will come out and go for it, then everyone else will need to play to keep up....

 

[shootin4par]

That is Appleby's personality. Very grounded and a dry sense of humour. The sort of guy to let his clubs do the talking. Very similar in that regard to the reigning U.S. Open champ.

Now, I am not saying he will beat Tiger tomorrow, but just because he doesn't say things like "I am going to show him who I am" doesn't mean he isn't thinking it and doesn't believe in himself.

In a way that is a fundamental difference in culture between Australians and Americans. Indeed when Badds.com turned pro and said he wanted to be world number 1 and compete in majors a lot of the Australian public shot him down and said to wait for results before making such claims.

I understand he should not shout from the roof tops that he is the best. For him to say he will know tiger is there is saying that he is going to be worrying about tiger. A statement such as, well we know tiger is great but the only person I can worry about is me, something such as that is what I would expect a humble confident guy to say. But when you admit someone will ingluence you but you wont influence them, Tiger probably read that quote and knows he has him beat before they even tee off.