It's possible. Not because I think Lefty compares favorably to Woods on a head to head basis, but because the No. 1 player is entering a new phase of his life (fatherhood & course design).
I can agree with Tiger possibly becoming less dominant because of his upcoming fatherhood...but course design? I know Tiger is started to get into that aspect of the game but I don't see that being a big enough deal to Tiger that it would take anything away from his game. Fatherhood will come before golf to Tiger, but I don't think course design will.
I was thinking more in terms of the cumulative affect of course design. But unlike Jack Nicklaus or Greg Norman, his outside interests seem limited by comparison. He likes to fish, deep sea dive, etc, but he doesn't have a gazillion lines of business going on that take up an appreciable amount of his time.
I suppose that might change as he grows older. Jack was 29 when he consulted with Pete Dye on Harbor Town, 33 when he and Desmond Muirhead opened Muirfield Village. When Glen Abbey was completed a few years later - his first solo effort - design was still something of a hobby. He's done over 300 courses since.
So let's hope Tiger follows Nicklaus' example and defers the outside interests until the end of his competitive life.
Phil is pretty close to Tiger on the money list and in the FedEx Cup standings. Still way off in the world rankings but I'd definitely like to see someone step up and challenge Tiger at the top.
Give credit when it is due !!! That was a great win by Phil in The Players. He played a very controlled game over four rounds. Credit must also go to Butch Harmon. As a matter of fact I think he deserves heaps of praise because let's face it Phil was looking a little 'derailed' only a few months ago.
Wow! I can't imagine anyone not respecting Phil Mickelson on the golf course! I don't know if he will become #1, but he surely has the tools. Does he have the mental tools to do what needs to be done day in and day out? I'm not sure. Does he have the desire to be #1? I'm not sure of that either. I know Phil wants to be considered a great golfer and perhaps he is one of those geniuses that needs some maturity to make the ultimate difference. I believe Phil loves golf, he loves the fans, and he loves the drama and challenge of the game. He goes for shots that no one else would because of his love of the game and the challenge/risk involved. I believe that he is not solely about winning. Yes, as he settles into himself I believe that he has what it takes to become #1, but I don't think he has the mindset to stay there even if he gets there. There are too many other important things in his life for that.
As much as I like Phil, I don't think he will ever be world #1. He will win more tournaments, a couple more majors, and he will remain a solid top-ten player, but there are too many variables that go into being world #1 and with Tiger around along with a lot of other younger talent, it will be hard for someone nearing 40 to do what is necessary to climb to the top.
His post operative left knee is getting worse and that is the one a righty has the most pressure on.
I did read somewhere that he tweaked it towards the end of the Wachovia. We'll just have to see how it affects him. I think one bad performance at the Players is too early to say it's anything significant after he just won the week before.
May 10th, 2007, 08:55 PM
If Phil can earn the number 1 spot, that is all that matters to me. And yes, that is a big If!
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