Tag: Tiger Woods

Tiger Returns to Competitive Golf With Question Marks Over Mind

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Tiger Woods’s withdraw from the Safeway Open and the Turkish Open were curious decisions, if not unsurprising. Unsurprising, because we’ve got used to Tiger missing golf tournaments over the last four years, but curious because Tiger pulled out because of doubts over the mental aspect of his game.

He admitted he was healthy. He admitted his game (read mind) wasn’t.

He was worried he couldn’t be competitive over four rounds of golf. Most assumed the mental doubts were chipping related after former coach Hank Haney commented that he had witnesses reporting he was flubbing most chips in practice.

Whatever the cause, Woods’s admission was new territory. Woods never gave an inch. He exerted his dominance over every other player and instilled fear in anyone unlucky enough to get him in a Sunday battle down the stretch.

But now, with his own belief waning, and players no longer fearful, Tiger’s prospect is entirely different. Tiger’s teeing it up in his own tournament, the Hero World Challenge. The media aren’t waiting for him to do something superlative. They’re waiting for mistakes. Every putt, every chip will be analysed like never before. Any mistake will be jumped on, and with it will come an article writing off his chances of catching Jack Nicklaus’s major record.

Tiger last played in the tournament here in 2014 opening with a 77, and ultimately settling for a tie in last place at even par. Tiger did close with a nice 69, but his appearance will be remembered for all of the fluffed chips that are still popular on YouTube.

How he goes this year will be riveting. Sportsbet has him at $34 to win, the longest odds in the field.

Here’s my take on the tournament and the contenders.

The Course

Albany’s 18-hole links style championship golf course was designed by Ernie Els. It boasts exquisite links and desert features with windswept dunes and a handful of tactically positioned water features. The par-72 course plays 7,400-yards and has a course record of 63, shot by Bubba Watson. A score of around 25-under is probably needed again to win it.

The Defending Champion

Bubba Watson held off Patrick Reed to win by three strokes last year. His 263 total was one worse than Jordan Spieth’s tournament record achieved the year before. Bubba hasn’t played for some time, so might be short of a gallop, but he’s plenty long enough to tame Albany again.

The Contenders*

This is awfully tricky given the quality of the invitation-only 18-man field, but here goes:

Dustin Johnson $6 – The player who was unbeatable at the end of last year is the favourite in the Bahamas. Three wins last year, including the US Open, prove Johnson was at his enigmatic best. His drive-wedge-missed putt formula has turnaround recently as the putts started to drop. He’s a massive threat for the field.

Jordan Spieth $7 – Coming off a win in Australia and playing at a course he’s won at before, Spieth is rightfully liked by the bookies. His win in Australia was professional rather than dominant – he sprayed his driver everywhere but was still good enough to win. You can never discount someone that putts as well as he does from 20 feet.

Hideki Matsuyama $9 – Three wins in his last four events(not including the World Cup) Matsuyama is the hottest player on the planet. So good with an iron in his hand, if he can make putts he will push the tournament record on the Albany course. Still played pretty nicely last week in tying for 6th with partner Ryo Ishikawa.

*Odds from Sportsbet.

The Winner

I’m picking Spieth to win, but if you’re looking for other betting options, get on Reed and Fowler to finish within the top 4. The two have been consistent in the event and will be there or thereabouts this week too.

PGA Tour: The Players Championship Preview

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Golf’s unofficial fifth major always provides plenty of entertainment. Admittedly most of it centres around the engrossing 17th island green, but this years event features a stellar field, the McIlroy-Spieth duel that will define golf for the next 20 years, and also the opinion splitting Tiger Woods.

The Course

TPC Sawgrass.  That’s all.  One of the world’s most famous got courses, featuring arguably the world’s most famous hole.  Putting the course’s shortest hole aside (the incredibly challenging and unmissable 17th), Sawgrass is a 7,215 yard, par 72, Pete Dye creation.  The course features one of the most challenging finishes in golf, and also features the quirky trait of having no two consecutive holes play in the same direction.  The real hero though, is the 17th, a green surrounded by water and only a small path at the back.

The Sound Bites

“So 17 doesn’t see eye to eye with me. I think I’ve played it well over par. The first couple years when you’re playing here, you get juiced up, you get pumped up, so the ball goes a little farther. I’ve hit sand wedge over the green” – Bubba Watson describing the thrill of playing 17 at Sawgrass.

“It’s very nerve-wracking. That’s probably not a very exciting answer but it is nerve-wracking because one of the things you sense there is you sense how much the crowd really wants you to mess up. The crowd wants you, wants you, to hit it in the water” – Stewart Cink when answering the same question.

The Defending Champion

Martin Kaymer went coast to coast last year in a dominant display that was only ever under threat during a nervy final four hole stretch.  A brief rain delay when Kaymer was up by three unsettled the Germans rhythm and he made a horrible double on 15 to give Jim Furyk a sniff.  In the end, a clutch 30 footer for par on 17 and a safe par on 18 gave him a one stroke win – a first in 28 months.  Wonderkid Jordan Speith lurked for much of the tournament as did previous champion Sergio Garcia before finished 3rd and 4th behind Furyk.

The Contenders*

Rory McIlroy – A win last week at the Matchplay would have added to McIlroy’s already extreme confidence.  Scrambled brilliantly last week and has finished inside the top 8 in his last two trips to Sawgrass – $8.00

Jordan Spieth – Although he was eliminated at the Match Play he still reeled off the most number of birdies before the knockout rounds.  He was also without a bogey here in the first three rounds last year – $8.50

Henrik Stenson – Has a game well suited for the Sawgrass design  Hit’s it straight and ranks first in stores gained putting – $19.00

Justin Rose – In form after a win at the Zurich Classic and one of the most risk averse players on tour.  That bodes well for such a tricky layout – the player who makes the fewest mistakes is often the player hoisting the trophy at the end of the week (e.g. Bubba will never win this event).  Seriously consider – $21.00

Sergio Garcia – Has an incredible record at this course – one of the few players who consistently puts himself in contention at Stadium – $29.00

Lee Westwood – Could just be the best money in the field.  Three top 10’s in his last 4 starts at Sawgrass and coming off a solid week in San Fran where he defeated FedEx Cup leader Jordan Spieth – $36.00

*Players Championship odds available at Sportsbet.

The Winner

Hard to go past the best player in the world.  We’ll have McIlroy to go back to back.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open Preview

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The name of the tournament suggests big pastures, long grass and lush greenery.  That’s the way the Farmers Insurance Open is shaping up too, with reports the rough has grown to unmanageable levels.  It was difficult to play from last year and 2015 could be worse for the erratic hitters who miss fairways regularly.

The green nature of the course might also mask the true speed of the greens, which are also reportedly playing trickier than last year.  A score of 9-under took it out last year (Stallings won and denied the masses a six player playoff); that score probably won’t hold this year with predictions the winner will shoot around 13-under.

Tiger Woods is having another hit out.  He practiced (poorly) on Wednesday, and as he’d admitted needs a lot of rounds if he’s to compete at the Masters.

The Course

Torrey Pines is most famous for the 2008 US Open showdown between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate.  The two played an extended playoff that went right down to the wire.  The Farmers Insurance Open will be play on both the North and South Torrey Pines course.  Torrey Pines GC (South) is a 7,698 yard, par 72, William Bell layout.  Players will play one of their first two rounds on Torrey Pines’ North course, a much shorter (7,052) par 72.

The Sound Bites

“You can swing like Jim Furyk or Adam Scott, and still be effective” – Phil Mickelson talking about the confidence and swing battles Tiger is facing.

“My phone’s been off the last couple days, I’ve just been working on my game. Just Chris and I” – Tiger’s not taking advice from anyone other thing swing consultant Chris Como.

The Defending Champion

Scott Stallings prevailed last year, beating K.J. Choi, Jason Day, Pat Perez, Marc Leishman and Graeme DeLaet who all tied for second.  Stallings birdied the 18th when few others were able to.  He’s back again to defend his title this week amongst another quality field.  The filed includes Woods and Mickelson who failed to make it to the final day last year.  Woods missed the Saturday cut and Mickelson withdrew.

The Contenders*

Jordan Spieth – $9.00

Brooks Koepka – $10.00

Rickie Fowler – $15.00

Dustin Johnson – $15.00

Keegan Bradley – $46.00

Tiger Woods – $81.00**

*Waste Management Phoenix Open odds courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

**Update: Tiger Woods withdrew midway through the first round.

The Winner

We’ve had a rough time picking winners in 2015.  So without any confidence whatsoever, we’re backing Koepka and Spieth to be battling it out on the final day.

Golf: Waste Management Phoenix Open Preview

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Tiger Woods isn’t the only big name golfer making his first appearance in a while.  While most of the attention will be on Woods – the last time he played was at his own tournament when most onlookers watched on in shock as he flubbed chip after chip, and more recently he’s received publicity for losing a tooth while supporting Lindsey Vonn at a ski event – others including Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth also return to tournament golf.

Woods’ performance at the Waste Management Phoenix Open will help bring the golfing world back to stories of more sporting significance after Robert Allenby’s Hawaiian incident.  Watching Woods compete for tabloid space with Phil Mickelson who is bidding to become the player with the most wins in Arizona will be fascinating over the coming (hopefully) four days.

The Course

TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) is famous for its party atmosphere and for it’s enclosed arena par 3 16th.  Tiger Woods made the hole famous when he aced it as a 22-year-old, and it has held onto it’s raucous reputation ever since.  The par 71 course has undergone $12 million worth of renovations affecting most of the course.

Crowd favourites Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson should expect plenty of support from the huge galleries encompassing the 7,266 yard course.

The Sound Bites

“We wanted to rebunker the golf course, there wasn’t a lot of pressure on the TOUR player from the tee. The equipment outdated the bunkering. They were blowing it way by (the bunkers), very easily past them. So, we took 73 bunkers and pared it down to 66, but their specific locations were relative to ShotLink.” – Course co-designer Tom Weiskopf speaks about the changes.

“It’s going to be a fun year” – Short and sweet from Tiger Woods when discussing his chances on tour this year.

The Defending Champion

Stadler held steady as Watson stumbled, collecting his first PGA TOUR victory when the once-and-future Masters champion couldn’t save par on the 72rd hole. Watson actually bogeyed two of his last three holes, allowing Stadler to draw even at the top when he couldn’t convert a 6-foot par save at the par-3 16th. After both birdied No.17, Watson flew the green with his second shot at No.18 and ran his chip from a spectator mound 5 feet past the hole. After Stadler two-putted from 10 feet for a 68, Watson’s putt to force a playoff slid past on the left. The result allowed Stadler, son of 12-time PGA TOUR winner Craig Stadler, to complete the ninth pair of father/son winners in history.

The Contenders*

Bubba Watson – $15.00

Jordan Spieth – $17.00

Matt Kuchar – $21.00

Phil Mickelson – $21.00

Tiger Woods – $21.00

Rickie Fowler – $21.00

*Waste Management Phoenix Open odds courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

The Winner

Plenty of reasons to pick one of the guys above: Mickelson has six wins in Arizona;  Watson lost by one last year and has multiple other top 10’s at the course;  Spieth has won his last two, he could make it three;  Kuchar’s coming off a T2 and a T3 in his last two events.  But for desert reasons and some nice golf last week we’re going with Mickelson.

Golf: Spieth wins by ten, Woods last

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Jordan Spieth capped off a remarkable fortnight by winning his second consecutive golf tournament at the Hero World Challenge.  Against an elite field featuring 18 of the World’s top ranked golfers, Spieth pulled away on day 3 and strolled home to win by a massive ten shots.

Both of Spieth’s wins (the other came at the Australian open) featured a display of control around the greens that had to be seen to be believed, especially around such tight lies and slippery putting surfaces.  The Hero World Challenge win featured rounds of 66, 67, 63 and 66, and reinforces Spieth position as a star of the future.  At just 21, Spieth has already chalked up three professional wins to go with his celebrated amateur career.  His future looks set to include a plethora of further wins, probably in golf tournaments he has had to go toe-to-toe with Rory McIlroy in.

Spieth was ten shots better than Henrik Stenson (69), with Keegan Bradley (70) and Patrick Red (68) a shot further back.

The win was record breaking for a number of reasons:

– Spieth’s 26-under broke the tournament record of 266 set by Woods in 2007 and Davis Love III in 2000, both at Sherwood Country Club in California;

– The victory margin of ten shots broke Tiger Woods’ tournament record of seven shots that Woods had in 2007; and

– His victory is the biggest margin in golf in 2014.

At the other end of the tournament leaderboard was Tiger Woods, returning to golf for the first time since the PGA Championship at Valhalla in August.  Tiger battled an opening 77, a fever, and a horrific short game to record two sub-par scores on his former home course.  He mixed some decent golf with some expected rustiness in a tournament where he only briefly left last position.  The silver lining for him was the ability to make aggressive swings pain free.

Spieth though got his 2014 wish of two wins.  What look improbable only a few weeks ago became a reality; a familiar one too as he strode down the 18th hole at Isleworth with a big lead, just as he had done in his amateur career.

Golf: Woods’ return the Hero of World Challenge

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The obvious talking point of the Hero World Challenge is the return of Tiger Woods.  The highest profile player in the history of golf marks his return to professional golf with a new swing coach and a remodelled golf swing.  Woods has been absent from all golf since August, so it’s fitting he returns at the tournament that supports his charitable foundation and that he has won five times.

The event features a field of only 18, hand-picked by Woods himself.  However, the field is still full of high quality players including Jordan Spieth who won in Australia last week, Bubba Watson, and Jason Day, who is also returning from a back injury and paired with Woods for the first two rounds.

The quality of the field is evidenced by the spreading on offer at Ladbrokes Australia.  Only $34 separates the best and worst odds offered for the tournament winner, and while the competitiveness will be interesting to watch, most eyes will be on Tiger as they always are when he plays in golf tournaments.

Can he find a swing that fits his ageing body?  Can he return to a more fluid and comfortable swing?  Can he go low?

All will be answered at the Hero World Challenge Golf tournament starting today.

The Course

Moving away from the famous Sherwood Country Club, the Hero World Challenge is now being hosted at the Isleworth Golf & Country Club.  Isleworth’s signature 18-hole championship course, was originally designed by Arnold Palmer before being enhanced by Steve Smyers in 2003.  The course is built on rolling terrain and features greens that are generous, undulating and fast, earning its title as the toughest and longest course in the state by the Florida State Golf Association.

The Sound Bites

“We looked at a lot of video from when I was a junior – even when I came out there and had some really nice years where I hit the ball really well. We went back to some of those old videos and really looked at it.” – Tiger Woods on his new swing under coach Chris Como.

“It looked a lot freer, didn’t look like he was getting in his way. It looked like it was on a better path.” – Steve Stricker on Woods’ new swing.

“It looked great to me, I’m glad he’s playing.” – Zach Johnson on Woods.

The Defending Champion

Zach Johnson won last year in a bizarre playoff finish. Johnson holed out for an unlikely par to get there and then Tiger Woods missed a clutch putt (you don’t say that often) to hand him the title.

The Field*

Henrik Stenson – $7.00

Justin Rose – $7.50

Bubba Watson – $8.50

Rickie Fowler – $10.00

Jordan Spieth – $10.00

Tiger Woods – $13.00

Jason Day – $15.00

Matt Kuchar – $15.00

Hideki Matsuyama – $15.00

Graeme McDowell – $15.00

Chris Kirk – $23.00

Jimmy Walker – $23.00

Billy Horschel – $26.00

Hunter Mahan – $26.00

Keegan Bradley – $29.00

Zach Johnson – $34.00

Patrick Reed – $34.00

Steve Stricker – $41.00

*Hero World Challenge Golf odds courtesy of Tom Waterhouse

The Winner

Hard to go past Speith, Watson or Stenson.  But don’t discount McDowell – he’s won the event twice.