Phil has the game to someday be number one but he doesn't have the mental side of the game down the way Tiger does. For that matter, no one other than VJ can come close to Tiger's mental game but VJ's game goes and come.
If Phil ever decides to work more on his mental game, then I think he can give Tiger a run for his money but he's a long way from that point right now.
Anything can happen. Assuming it would not be due to injury or other extraneous reason for Wood's departure, I would say the odds are small. At the end of the day though, probably the most important factor is focus and motivation. Tiger is the best there, but it could wane. Would be nice to see it unfold in any case.
I would actually believe Vijay has a better chance, just because he plays twice the amount of rounds than Tiger or Phil do and if he can stay in the top of the boards, he could take the poisiotn just by being consistant. The more you play the more points you get.
Playing alot only lessons your chances unless you are winning like Vijay did but even Vijay didn't hold it that long until Tiger took it back and Vijay was still playing alot.
If Phil were to get to number 1, I'd be looking for the end of the world to happen the next day.
I used to think that with regard to the Red Sox winning the W.S., but we're all still here.
I think Phil has a healthy outlook on his place in history. As he said during Masters week, if he wins 20 more times, and picks up 6 more majors before he's done, that's a great career - and still a country mile behind Tiger.
He's going to lose any head to head comparison with Woods. Deep down he probably knows Tiger has more talent, is stronger, and has tougher mental approach. None of that is going to stop him from competing. That's the beauty of competition - Tiger may be the best ever, but there are still going to be plenty of weeks he is beatable. It's a great big pie they chase after, big enough for everyone to get a slice - some will just be bigger than others.
I doubt very much Phil will ever get to No. 1 as long as Woods is around, and since Tiger is five years younger, it seems like a moot discussion. But it truly doesn't matter. Lefty is still a great player, his place in history is already secure, and he will continue to add to his stature. He may or may not make it to a #1 ranking, and I cannot conceive of him ever surpassing Woods on an all-time level. Regardless, he is entertaining, and he'll continue to win his fair share.
Phil is a good player and were it not for his great short game he would be lucky to get honorable mention. Phil is probably the luckiest player I've seen on tour and were it not for some lucky bounces off trees he probably would have lost the players even considering that he played one of the best rounds of his life. I still enjoy watching him but he had his chances while Tiger was going through his swing changes but the only one that took advantage was Vijay. We'll have to see if he can tighten up his swing consistantly and maybe he'll hold on to number two. As far as majors I think he'll be lucky if he gets one or two more but time will tell.
Phil has the game to someday be number one but he doesn't have the mental side of the game down the way Tiger does. For that matter, no one other than VJ can come close to Tiger's mental game but VJ's game goes and come.
If Phil ever decides to work more on his mental game, then I think he can give Tiger a run for his money but he's a long way from that point right now.
i agree with this, mentality is the most important, this is what is make Zach Johnson be champions in masters 2007 and phil in masters 2006 even they listen to tiger roar on the back
Can be Phil be number !? Never! Forget about Tiger, he has to beat the new young guns coming up, Rose, Scott, Ogilvy , Donald, Baddley, Casey, Sergio et al before he thinks he is going to be number 1 in the next 2 - 3 years. And lets not forget Phil who would be 40 in 3 years and pls he is no Vijay.
Butch did not make Tiger, Its Tiger that made Butch. When last did Butch churn out a major winner since 2003? If anything this would make Tiger practise harder just to prove a point.
BTW Kids would not affect Tiger. The contrary, it would spur him on to be better. Did people not say his Dads death would have an affect on him? Did people not say marriage would slow him down? Look closely at the patterns:
After his marriage in Oct 2004, he went on to dominate in 2005
After his Dads death in 20006 he went on an amazing streak
After his Kids Birth he'd go on to greater heights.
You still don’t get it? This is a guy who still wakes up at 5.30am and jogs a couple 5 - 8 miles every morning while the most of the world are still in bed too lazy to get up. This is a guy who even makes his bed after waking up in hotel room. ( like he needs to ) Look at these tiny details and you would have the answer as to why Tiger wont lose focus. Hard work and dedication is a habit not a chore. This is not your sports star that gets carried away with all the glamour and riches of the world.
Phil the new Number 1? Lets see him be the new number 2 and then make up 13 points before we can start having this funny conversation. Tiger is not going anywhere!
Maybe not for another year or so; but Tiger can crumble. Phil needs to work more on his mental game; but Butch may well do the trick on the technical side.
I love Phil so whilst it's difficult, I would not like to say a point blank no
Tiger has 19 points , Phil has 7 points . phill will never catch up .
Even if woods was to not even play a full season and phill won
a few during that season! he would not catch up.
Tiger has 19 points , Phil has 7 points . phill will never catch up .
Even if woods was to not even play a full season and phill won
a few during that season! he would not catch up.
The question is whether Phil could ever get to #1. Over a couple of seasons of consistent play it is doable. As many have pointed out, the key is Phil's mental game. Ha has improved over the past few years mentally. He doesn't miss as many of those 2 and 3-footers as he used to, and that was all mental. He is making more clutch putts these days I believe as well. With Harmon helping with some of the swing flaws I think Phil has a chance to give Tiger a run...especially since I think Tiger is not as mentally dominating as he used to be
i also don't think tiger is as mentally dominant as he used to be. by that, i mean, other players aren't as scared of him. i have no way of knowing that for sure. just my opinion.
phil has the skills to be the #1 golfer in the world but this is a tough time to ask that question because tiger is still on top of his game. he may not have been in contention at the players but he won the week before that at the wachovia with a quality field.
tiger will have to ease off the gas a bit and phil will have to step on the metal. i don't think phil can ever make #1 if tiger keeps winning about half the tournaments he enters. so i think it's as much of a question of if phil can win enough tournaments as whether tiger will not win.
It sure will be interesting to see what happens at the Open. A win for Phil there would really spice things up and make this conversation even more interesting. Tiger's lead is so large that I think the people who say that Phil can't catch him because he doesn't play enough may be correct.
Tiger can become injured. Tiger can choose to walk away from PGA Golf before Phil. Tiger has not had a life event like a child come into his life before, this can certainly change his perspective, and may expedite his walking away from the game.
Phil seeing Butch is the perfect move by him. He needs to play better tee to green and Butch is the man for this.
I don't think any of these scenarios are likely, but the question was "will Phil ever become #1"?
You have to qualify your answer in your case.
The only way Phil ever becomes number one is if Tiger isn't playing due to injury or leaving the game.
Otherwise, he's got as much chance of becoming #1 over a healthy Tiger Woods as I do.
Tiger is still pretty young so it wouldn't be far fetched to say he will be one of the, if not the top golfer for the next 10 years. I just doubt he can be #1 week in and week out over that span. I voted "No" in this poll but I wonder, if he falls out of the top spot, who will take #1?
May 17th, 2007, 11:06 PM
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