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I know hes played there about 5 times with no wins the most of any course hes played on tour without a victory. Is this one of the reasons hes playing there this year to get his name on that trophy? Is this his year? Does the course suit him well? Thoughts for those of you who know the history of this course and tournament?

Riviera, known as Hogan's Alley - has been a no win for Tiger. I know in the past some things were said to him there by patrons of the tournament. This is one of the few courses Tiger has not won on that has a connection to one of the great players of the past. He has won Bay Hill (Palmer), Muirfield (Nicklaus) etc. I can almost guarantee he wants a win there badly. And you know what? He will get it someday.

He's got a lot of high finishes there but no win yet...in fact, he's played the event more times than he's played any other event I believe. He does have a couple seconds and other top 5s there. It'll be tough for him to win there this year if he doesn't have the big stick going before he gets to Riviera, but I wouldn't put it past him by any means. He'll probably take one before his career is over.

Not counting majors, I assume?

I think he said that in his interview after Dubai. I was half asleep, so forgive me if I am not accurate.

When asked about his preparation for the Masters, he said... "Forget Augusta, I am gunning for the Nissan Open!"

I think you can exclude the Masters...he's definitely played the Masters more times, maybe the US Open and I believe the British Open. He played the LA Open at least twice as an amateur though, and has only missed it a couple times as a pro.

I really hope he takes it this year. It's such a shame to see him go out there every year and never take one of his own.

I agree with you though, card, he'll win one before his days are done (hey I'm a poet! ).

Why would he be concerned with Augusta? Its more than two month away and he has a few events to play before than. Tiger does a great job of focusing on the tournament ahead rather than looking several tournaments ahead.

I think there are a number of reason's he is playing the event this year...

1. His dad hasn't been in great health and it gives him a chance to spend time with his dad.

2. His learning center at the Dad Miller Course in Anaheim is set to open and it gives him a chance to check in on that.

3. He has a connection to the event as they provided him with a few sponsors exemptions as a teenager. He continues to support the event by showing up.

Do I think he'll win it this year? Not unless he finds a shaft for the Nike SQ head he's using. Until he finds a shaft for the driver that fits his swing the big stick will likely continue to cause problems. Up to this point he's been able to over come that by making good approach shots and making putts. At Riveria it becomes much tougher to recover from errant tee shots....

Having said that I think Tiger will put it together this year and win a close one. He'll find the righ shaft and start making progress with his tee shots.

He has played there i believe 10 times now 8 as pro and 2 as amateur and he has 5 tourneys before the Masters including this one so thats alot of golf which is nice for his fans. Riviera,Match Play,Doral,Bay Hill, and Players before heading off to Augusta.

Tiger's main focus every season is the Majors. In post-tournament interviews this year at Buick and Dubai, he mentioned how his "laundry list" in preparation for Augusta was much shorter than it was at this time last season.

In Tiger's authorized DVD collection, Butch Harmon explained how Tiger has geared his game for the Masters in early season events, and has even hit some "incorrect" shots at such courses as Bay Hill or TPC just because he was preparing for Augusta, and was practicing shots that will be required at the Masters. He even tries to work on dying putts in the hole in preparation for the fast greens at Augusta, and it sometimes causes him to come up short on some putts in early season events.

I agree with you that he does a great job of focusing on the present, but a large part of that is because he is the best grinder out there. But, overall, I think he is looking at the big picture, and building towards the majors, in this case, the Masters.

I think Tiger can win at Riviera. I've played there and there is something about that course that I can't put my finger on that I have done some really stupid thinking. I am a scratch player and after hitting these stupid ones I stood there saying" what was I thinking". Definently have too stay out of the rough. It is 1 of the stickiest kinds of grasses I have ever played. I think if Tiger can use the "stinger" shot and some more long irons off some of the tees he can be in some really good positions to attack 80% of the flagsticks everyday. With his length he will not have to use the big dog all the time like the other players due to Riviera lengthening the course a few years ago.

Riviera, known as Hogan's Alley - has been a no win for Tiger. I know in the past some things were said to him there by patrons of the tournament.
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Racial stuff Drstroud? I can only imagine what he went through as a 16 y/o trying to prove himself in this setting, and that's assuming there wasn't anything like that!

If Tiger can keep it in the fairway he can win ANYWHERE. If he's inconsistent off the tee he's still got a shot if all the other aspects of his game are clicking. If he's inconsistent off the fairway and his short game and/or putting fail him he's toast.