I think Tiger will be very hard pressed to take back #1 from Vijay in '05. Remember, the World Golf Rankings take into account the past two years. Tiger may win 6 times including a Major as has been predicted in this thread but for him to take back #1, I think Vijay would have to fall off the face of the Earth. Tiger may break out with another monster year but as long as Vijay continues to win his share of tournaments, he'll retain the #1 ranking.
We can only wait and see. I'm eagerly awaiting the start to the '05 golf season. Especially because it starts in Maui and heads over to Oahu for the Sony.
It could be argued that the reason Vijay won nine tournaments is because Tiger was struggling with his swing. Therefore, if Tiger really is back this year, you can expect less wins for Vijay (although he still plays in weaker fields where Tiger doesn't play) and a close race atop the World Golf Rankings.
It could be argued that the reason Vijay won nine tournaments is because Tiger was struggling with his swing. Therefore, if Tiger really is back this year, you can expect less wins for Vijay (although he still plays in weaker fields where Tiger doesn't play) and a close race atop the World Golf Rankings.
VJ won 9 tournaments because he beat the field 9 times.
With or without Tiger the last 2 years, it has been and still is VJ's time to rule.
Last edited by no back : December 23rd, 2004 at 08:28 AM.
Vijay dominated the past year and a half (not two), and you'd have to be nuts to say that he isn't the better player at the moment, but the race for the rankings will be closer than one might expect. Despite winning 14 times to Tiger's 6 on the PGA Tour since the beginning of 2003, Vijay still holds only a slim lead in the rankings. I think Vijay will still hold the lead for the most of the year, but Tiger or Ernie will make a move on him at some point (maybe even Phil too).
VJ won 9 tournaments because he beat the field 9 times.
With or without Tiger the last 2 years, it has been and still is VJ's time to rule.
Vijay played great, there's no doubt to that, but I think it would be interesting to see what the caliber of players were in each of his nine wins like how many players in the top 15 of the World Golf Rankings were in each one.
The man did win a major, but in my opinion he just stuck it out longer than anybody else than convincingly play better than the field. He didn't even make a birdie until the playoff holes, right?
Vijay played great, there's no doubt to that, but I think it would be interesting to see what the caliber of players were in each of his nine wins like how many players in the top 15 of the World Golf Rankings were in each one.
The man did win a major, but in my opinion he just stuck it out longer than anybody else than convincingly play better than the field. He didn't even make a birdie until the playoff holes, right?
Wow CAuger you're really reaching here. Vijay always plays a heavy schedule. He played in 29 this year to Tiger's 19. He played all of the big ones. He won 9, 3 of which Tiger was in the field. Tiger won 1, post-season, stroke play event where he had to beat, wow, like 15 guys. Vijay beat the field 9 times. He plays in more events than all of the top players. Tiger has had the better career, of course. Vijay has been the better player for the past year & 1/2, no matter how you want to slice & dice it.
The man did win a major, but in my opinion he just stuck it out longer than anybody else than convincingly play better than the field. He didn't even make a birdie until the playoff holes, right?
That's all it took to win wasn't it? VJ had the lowest number of strokes in the field. The last time I looked, that's what determines a tournament winner. It's not about HOW he did it. It's about the fact that he DID do it. There's no rule that says you must make birdies in the final round to win a major. Just ask Nick Faldo with his 18 straight pars to win the British Open.
Vijay played great, there's no doubt to that, but I think it would be interesting to see what the caliber of players were in each of his nine wins like how many players in the top 15 of the World Golf Rankings were in each one.
The man did win a major, but in my opinion he just stuck it out longer than anybody else than convincingly play better than the field. He didn't even make a birdie until the playoff holes, right?
You're at least right about 3 tournaments as for the caliber of players in the field. Tiger did show up for 3 of those 9 wins. I think we even saw a few of his shots on tv.
Vijay battled some tough guys down the stretch in many of those events.
the PB pro am- Mickelson, Choi, Weir
HP classic New Orleans- Mickelson
the PGA- Leonard, Di Marco, Els, Mickelson
the Deutsche Bank- Tiger, Daly, Scott
the Canadian open- Mike Weir
84 Lumber- Daly, Di Marco
He wasnt just outlasting journeymen (if theres such a thing anymore)
The bottom line is that VJ won 9 tournaments playing on the best Tour on the planet. He has no control who shows up to play and he did what a Champion is supposed to do.....he beat everyone that entered.
December 22nd, 2004, 07:26 PM
Vijay always plays a heavy schedule. He played in 29 this year to Tiger's 19. He played all of the big ones. He won 9, 3 of which Tiger was in the field. Tiger won 1, post-season, stroke play event where he had to beat, wow, like 15 guys. Vijay beat the field 9 times. He plays in more events than all of the top players. Tiger has had the better career, of course. Vijay has been the better player for the past year & 1/2, no matter how you want to slice & dice it.
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