The difference? We have all the proof right before us.
THE DIFFERENCE IS ALL BETWEEN THE EARS. TW has it, Phil needs it.
--Tiger misses cut first time ever as a pro in a Major and comes back with a vengence, now with 4 wins in a row...2 of those Majors.
--Phil collapses on 72nd hole of US Open and appears to have flown South for the Winter.
Even for the Tiger haters, you HAVE TO RESPECT the fact he NEVER packs it in...to me that is his greatest quality. Most recent proof being 71st hole at PGA Champ....grinds over a bogey putt with a 6 shot lead...misses and is obviously ticked off...THAT is what I hope my kids learn from watching him.
In defence of Phil on that one though, it's somewhat more damaging to the psyche to be so close to winning and then losing than it is simply to miss the cut. Tiger has rarely thrown away a major championship. I suppose the closest he's got to that was in the 2002 PGA Championship when he led with nine to play and lost to Rich Beem. He didn't win another major for over two years.
Phil is struggling big time now, he finished 9 over par in this tourney, now i doubt he will win a major for a couple of years, he still has winged foot in mind , i think the best thing for him to do, is to play winged foot 4 times, and get it out of his mind
In defence of Phil on that one though, it's somewhat more damaging to the psyche to be so close to winning and then losing than it is simply to miss the cut. Tiger has rarely thrown away a major championship. I suppose the closest he's got to that was in the 2002 PGA Championship when he led with nine to play and lost to Rich Beem. He didn't win another major for over two years.
Slightly harsh on Phil methinks.
However, I 100% agree with the gist of your post.
What? I don't remember him ever leading that tournament at all. He made 4 straight birdies at the end of his round to come out of nowhere and nearly beat Beem. Beem played excellent golf to beat him though.
What? I don't remember him ever leading that tournament at all. He made 4 straight birdies at the end of his round to come out of nowhere and nearly beat Beem. Beem played excellent golf to beat him though.
Yep, my mistake. He was one back going into the back nine. Still, hard to think of another major that he's thrown away at all.
Yep, my mistake. He was one back going into the back nine. Still, hard to think of another major that he's thrown away at all.
Well, if we're going by missed opportunities, I can list several.
2003 Open Championship - Ben Curtis wins after Tiger of all people misses quite a few GOOD birdie chances on the back nine with a cold putter.
2005 U.S. Open - Tiger putts like a dog on the back nine and essentially hands the tournament to Michael Campbell (who DID play clutch golf).
2006 Masters - Phil has almost zero pressure on him from Tiger after Tiger continues stiffing pins on the back nine, only to miss a bunch of makeable putts (2 of them for eagles and a couple others for birdies) because he was trying to FORCE them into the hole for Earl (way too much speed on the putts). Phil plays a nice solid round and easily wins.
The difference? We have all the proof right before us.
THE DIFFERENCE IS ALL BETWEEN THE EARS. TW has it, Phil needs it.
--Tiger misses cut first time ever as a pro in a Major and comes back with a vengence, now with 4 wins in a row...2 of those Majors.
--Phil collapses on 72nd hole of US Open and appears to have flown South for the Winter.
Even for the Tiger haters, you HAVE TO RESPECT the fact he NEVER packs it in...to me that is his greatest quality. Most recent proof being 71st hole at PGA Champ....grinds over a bogey putt with a 6 shot lead...misses and is obviously ticked off...THAT is what I hope my kids learn from watching him.
It's been my contention for quite some time it's not Tiger's physical ability by itself that makes him the greatest golfer of this era and possibly of all time. But his mental makeup that clearly separates him from the rest of the PGA Tour. Most guys would have been shattered after making four bogies in a row and losing a lead. Tiger just keeps grinding and ends up shooting even par for the round.
On Sunday he gave everybody at the top of the leaderboard a shot at taking control on the tournament on the front nine. Nobody could really step up and take control. On the back nine Paul Casey and Stewart Cink gave him just a little opening and Tiger stepped up. I give Stewart Cink props for stepping up and sinking a birdie put to tie Tiger. But he had a couple of opprturnities to beat Tiger in the playoff and you can't let Tiger get away TWICE and expect to win.
Well, if we're going by missed opportunities, I can list several.
2003 Open Championship - Ben Curtis wins after Tiger of all people misses quite a few GOOD birdie chances on the back nine with a cold putter.
2005 U.S. Open - Tiger putts like a dog on the back nine and essentially hands the tournament to Michael Campbell (who DID play clutch golf).
2006 Masters - Phil has almost zero pressure on him from Tiger after Tiger continues stiffing pins on the back nine, only to miss a bunch of makeable putts (2 of them for eagles and a couple others for birdies) because he was trying to FORCE them into the hole for Earl (way too much speed on the putts). Phil plays a nice solid round and easily wins.
Those tournaments were events that Tiger didn't win, but he hardly threw them away like Phil did in the US Open this year. The 03 Open was never really Tiger's to win. Bjorn should have won that and if he had, it would have left Tiger back in the pack with all the rest.
I don't think he's ever choked like PM on 18 at Winged Foot, but I just had in my head that the 02 PGA was one he should have closed out but didn't. In fairness to him, Beem played outstanding golf that day.
In any case, none of this detracts from the point that I was making in the first place.
Those tournaments were events that Tiger didn't win, but he hardly threw them away like Phil did in the US Open this year. The 03 Open was never really Tiger's to win. Bjorn should have won that and if he had, it would have left Tiger back in the pack with all the rest.
I don't think he's ever choked like PM on 18 at Winged Foot, but I just had in my head that the 02 PGA was one he should have closed out but didn't. In fairness to him, Beem played outstanding golf that day.
In any case, none of this detracts from the point that I was making in the first place.
Well yes, I would agree that Phil's mistake at Winged Foot will probably NEVER happen to Tiger. He's too mentally strong to allow it. Plus, he has a reputation to defend and I seriously doubt he'd ever let it happen.
The difference? We have all the proof right before us.
THE DIFFERENCE IS ALL BETWEEN THE EARS. TW has it, Phil needs it.
--Tiger misses cut first time ever as a pro in a Major and comes back with a vengence, now with 4 wins in a row...2 of those Majors.
--Phil collapses on 72nd hole of US Open and appears to have flown South for the Winter.
Even for the Tiger haters, you HAVE TO RESPECT the fact he NEVER packs it in...to me that is his greatest quality. Most recent proof being 71st hole at PGA Champ....grinds over a bogey putt with a 6 shot lead...misses and is obviously ticked off...THAT is what I hope my kids learn from watching him.
Bobby Jones once said that 'Golf is played on a 6 inch course. The distance between your left and right ear' Try telling the USGA that! But seriously, I'm able to hit shots within 3 feet of the pin, why can't I do it the whole time? All mental
I think it's kind of silly to compare Tiger and Phil. Two different worlds.
Reminds me, however, of a Sparky Anderson quote. When a reporter asked Sparky how another catcher compared to Johnny Bench, Sparky said "...please don't embarrass any catcher by comparing him to Johnny Bench."
Yep, my mistake. He was one back going into the back nine. Still, hard to think of another major that he's thrown away at all.
Thats because it has NEVER happened, every major that he has led going into the final round he has won. I know this isnt anything you all dont already know, but there have been a few in this post that seemed to be looking for that one time that it has happened. I tend to agree with savgolfjunkie in as much that the major difference doesnt seem to be a talent issue, they are both great in their own right, but more of a mental issue. Tiger seems to somehow will himself to victory, where Phil, when in contention, doesnt always seem to have that *killer instinct* (cliche i know).
August 28th, 2006, 12:15 PM
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