Tiger appears to be healthy and ready to compete

[Herman Cain]

A very good research report by Brad Faxon on his round with Tiger Woods , Dustin Johnson and Donald Trump. Looks like Tiger is healthy.

http://golfweek.com/2017/11/25/exclusive-brad-faxons-takeaways-from-a-round-with-tiger-woods-and-donald-trump/

[🏀]

He was healthy this time last year, but 72 holes at the Hero took a toll. He was gassed by the Farmers.


I would love to see Tiger back, but I doubt it's real.

[Herman Cain]

Tiger doing well his first two rounds -7. His swing looks good and he is hitting the ball a long way and shaping shots.

[Silkk the Shaka]

There are 18 total players in this thing. Bizarre.

[tower912]

All that matters is how his back holds up

[RJax55]

There are 18 total players in this thing. Bizarre.

It's a made for TV event. It is not an officially sanctioned PGA Tour tournament.

As for Tiger, the question is how's his back in 3 months? 6 months?

I will say, he's playing much better than he did at Hero last year. Short game is dramatically better.

[naginiF]

It's a made for TV event. It is not an officially sanctioned PGA Tour tournament.

As for Tiger, the question is how's his back in 3 months? 6 months?

I will say, he's playing much better than he did at Hero last year. Short game is dramatically better.

The one thing they have in common is both Herro's and Tiger's time has passed and, though we wish them well, threads dedicated to them are wasted virtual ink.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

The one thing they have in common is both Herro's and Tiger's time has passed and, though we wish them well, threads dedicated to them are wasted virtual ink.

If healthy I think Tiger has one last major in him.

[wheresthecake?]

If healthy I think Tiger has one last major in him.

I agree. His iron play is what separated him from the field most in his career. That doesn't just go away, it'll take some time but if he starts hitting irons anywhere close to the level he was at, watch out.

[MU82]

Didn't watch golf because I was watching the Warriors, but I see by the scores that Tiger went +3 today.

Assuming he doesn't win the Masters, it means that when he tees it up for the U.S. Open, it will be 10 full years since he last won a major. That's incredible to think about, almost unfathomable.

Count me among the millions who hopes he's healthy and finds his game again. Golf needs him. Any tournament with him in contention is a sporting event worth watching.

[Herman Cain]

Tiger looked great all weekend. The announcers said some of his his shots were similar to his 1999-2001 vintage. I think he is going to do well in 2018 as he is eager to compete against the current crop of young guns.

[🏀]

Big Rick shows up on Sunday!

[MU82]

Tiger looked great all weekend. The announcers said some of his his shots were similar to his 1999-2001 vintage. I think he is going to do well in 2018 as he is eager to compete against the current crop of young guns.

There have been many "false starts" regarding Tiger the last few years. There have been many times that announcers have said this exact same thing, only to see injuries and craziness end each comeback before it began. Less than a year ago, Tiger himself was telling the world how great he felt - "pain free for the first time in years!"

So ... in other words ... we'll see.

As I said earlier, I hope it works out for him this time. Golf is more fun to watch when Tiger is in contention on the weekend of a major tournament.

[Goose]

I have seen the false starts, the smiles and everything in previous comebacks and took the bait each time. In reflecting on this past week, he really did look healthy and happy. His body language appeared to be different this time around. I am very hopeful that he has another mini run in him and I can enjoy every second of watching him. Have to admit, he had me very jacked up over the weekend. Definitely watched more Tiger than Packers yesterday.

[jesmu84]

I have seen the false starts, the smiles and everything in previous comebacks and took the bait each time. In reflecting on this past week, he really did look healthy and happy. His body language appeared to be different this time around. I am very hopeful that he has another mini run in him and I can enjoy every second of watching him. Have to admit, he had me very jacked up over the weekend. Definitely watched more Tiger than Packers yesterday.

Agree, Goose.

[GB Warrior]

I have seen the false starts, the smiles and everything in previous comebacks and took the bait each time. In reflecting on this past week, he really did look healthy and happy. His body language appeared to be different this time around. I am very hopeful that he has another mini run in him and I can enjoy every second of watching him. Have to admit, he had me very jacked up over the weekend. Definitely watched more Tiger than Packers yesterday.

Agree. Despite there being a number of tremendous players these days, Tiger as the far-and-away No.1 was a sight to behold. Those days are gone, but I hope we can get enough of that back to re-live some of the glory days. All about staying healthy, and I think we get some of that back.

[jesmu84]

There's no doubt that Tiger has been overhyped recently. Perhaps even overhyped in his prime. But, at the same time, underrated.

I say that because I don't think people understand how good he really was in his prime.

Re: https://www.barstoolsports.com/boston/can-tiger-woods-win-against-the-new-generation/

Stats about his per-round average are nuts.

[mu03eng]

There's no doubt that Tiger has been overhyped recently. Perhaps even overhyped in his prime. But, at the same time, underrated.

I say that because I don't think people understand how good he really was in his prime.

Re: https://www.barstoolsports.com/boston/can-tiger-woods-win-against-the-new-generation/

Stats about his per-round average are nuts.

It'll be interesting to see if the backlash to "Tiger" and "DJ" proofing courses gathers momentum and distance stops being such a requirement. Long term I think that helps Tiger IF he can get back to form with his shot making and putting. Might help lengthen his career should he be back to a high percentage of his former self.

[Sheriff]

The current version of Tiger has a simplified swing, on plane with a club face more consistently square at impact.  He struck his irons very well and drove it as far as anyone last weekend.  His short game is still a little yippy but his putting stroke as solid.  That said, spine fusion surgery is usually a last resort for those who need their quality of life restored.  The long term efficacy for someone swinging hard enough to hit the ball 180 mph will be tested.

[Sheriff]

This weekend of golf has been very entertaining.  His short game looks as good as ever.

[tower912]

I am glad he seems to be back and healthy.  I have never rooted for him  and don't plan on starting.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I am glad he seems to be back and healthy.  I have never rooted for him  and don't plan on starting.

See, I've been the opposite. This is the first round of golf I've watched since his US Open playoff win in 2008.

[tower912]

I'm a golf fan first.    Never disputed his artistry.    Never rooted for him. 

[jesmu84]

See, I've been the opposite. This is the first round of golf I've watched since his US Open playoff win in 2008.

How did you not watch his impressive 2013 season??

Or Ryder/president's cups?

[Herman Cain]

Finished 2nd today, some of the old magic on the 17th hole. I think he is the favorite to win the Masters.

[🏀]

Finished 2nd today, some of the old magic on the 17th hole. I think he is the favorite to win the Masters.

Favorite to win the Masters is a real stretch.

[Jables1604]

If I had a dollar for every time Tiger was annointed as being “back” after having a decent showing in a single tournament I’d own a place at Kiaweh. I think having him healthy and competing week in and week out on the tour would be fantastic but let’s see how he does playing consecutive weeks before we hand him the Masters. The fact that Mickelson can win a WGC event last week against far superior competition and still have lower odds of winning at Augusta than Tiger goes to show that there is a lot of wishful thinking going on.

[Mutaman]

Favorite to win the Masters is a real stretch.

Incredibly it isn't. The money is being bet on him and he is now 3rd favorite at 10-1. I know little about golf but I think I wish I was  the bookie for the pro Tiger crowd.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/bettors-strong-tournament-drive-tiger-woods-masters-odds/story?id=53669582

[🏀]

Incredibly it isn't. The money is being bet on him and he is now 3rd favorite at 10-1. I know little about golf but I think I wish I was  the bookie for the pro Tiger crowd.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/bettors-strong-tournament-drive-tiger-woods-masters-odds/story?id=53669582

I wouldn't don't him being a low betting favorite, but realistically that's a stretch.

Honestly, I'd love to see it. I just hope he's in somewhat contention.

[mu03eng]

If I had a dollar for every time Tiger was annointed as being “back” after having a decent showing in a single tournament I’d own a place at Kiaweh. I think having him healthy and competing week in and week out on the tour would be fantastic but let’s see how he does playing consecutive weeks before we hand him the Masters. The fact that Mickelson can win a WGC event last week against far superior competition and still have lower odds of winning at Augusta than Tiger goes to show that there is a lot of wishful thinking going on.

I will say this, this comeback seems different than the others. He finally went with a full fusion so the back shouldn't be an issue if he can get his swing right to match his new "body style". He has played in multiple tournaments so far this year and has finished them/looked competitive.

I think we're fair away from saying Tiger is going to be challenging for majors routinely but I certainly think he can play competitive golf which is considerably better than he has the last couple of years. I, for one, think it's great he's back somewhat, makes golf more fun.

[tower912]

CBS is dreaming of a Tiger Phil final pairing with DJ and Jordan one group ahead and Bubba and JT two groups ahead and Rory and Ricky 3 groups ahead.

[JWags85]

Incredibly it isn't. The money is being bet on him and he is now 3rd favorite at 10-1. I know little about golf but I think I wish I was  the bookie for the pro Tiger crowd.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/bettors-strong-tournament-drive-tiger-woods-masters-odds/story?id=53669582

This is like the line plummeting in the Mayweather-McGregor fight, fanboys giddily latching onto delusional beliefs about their golden boy and betting with their heart instead of their brain.  Now its very different cause Tiger has a chance, but the same heart over head.  A guy who hasnt won in 5 years, hasn't won a major in a decade, and hasn't made a major cut in 4 years is close to having the best odds in the tournament, I mean come on.

I'm in the distinct minority that isn't cheering this comeback rabidly.  I'm not going to pretend that I didn't enjoy Tiger as a kid, it was great entertainment.  And I'm also not going to pretend that I'm a hardcore PGA fan.  However, the arguments that most people have for Tiger are so lame.  His cultural and gameplay impact is immense and beyond criticism.  However, professional golf isn't the stuffy institution it used to be.  And because of his style and "Tiger proofing", all of a sudden you have a generation of players who hit it a mile and take risks.  People are getting delirious while ignoring there are players who play exactly the same as him, and do it better these days.

Say you're excited cause he reminds you of your childhood or what go you into golf.  But get out of here with the whole "there's nobody worth watching without him" or "golf is boring without Tiger".  Its like saying you only watch CBB during March Madness, you're totally justified in your preference, but that doesn't qualify you to drag a sport.

Also, Tiger is an unmitigated douche, so there's that too.

[StillAWarrior]

Finished 2nd today, some of the old magic on the 17th hole. I think he is the favorite to win the Masters.

I am absolutely stunned that there are people out there who would call Tiger the favorite for the Masters this year.  I've generally been a Tiger fan/defender over the years, but this is crazy talk.  How a few competitive outings this season (T9, T23, Missed Cut, 12, T2) translates to "Masters Favorite" is a mystery to me.  I hope he's competitive.  I'd absolutely love it if he is in the hunt on Sunday, and would be glued to my TV.  But I'd be more than happy to take the field if any overly zealous (and arguably delusional) Tiger fans want to wager.

[skianth16]

He's not going to actually be a favorite. The Vegas odds are just being lowered because of betting volumes.

[Herman Cain]

Tiger playing well again this weekend .  He will not play again between now and Masters. So he has plenty of time to work on his conditioning and fine tune his irons. His swing looks very compact now right so I don't think he is going to tear his body apart again. 

Tiger will peak at Augusta . It will come to the back nine and the young players will fold because they never competed against Tiger in his prime and will be stunned when he eagles 13 and 15.  The older players will fold precisely because they know he is going to do great things and they will press too hard and make mistakes. 

[Mutaman]

As of right now the boys in Europe are making Woods the solid second choice behind Dustin Johnson.

https://www.oddschecker.com/golf/the-masters/2018-us-masters/winner

[Silkk the Shaka]

Tiger playing well again this weekend .  He will not play again between now and Masters. So he has plenty of time to work on his conditioning and fine tune his irons. His swing looks very compact now right so I don't think he is going to tear his body apart again. 

Tiger will peak at Augusta . It will come to the back nine and the young players will fold because they never competed against Tiger in his prime and will be stunned when he eagles 13 and 15.  The older players will fold precisely because they know he is going to do great things and they will press too hard and make mistakes.

That is a hiilariously specific prediction

[MU82]

Tiger playing well again this weekend .  He will not play again between now and Masters. So he has plenty of time to work on his conditioning and fine tune his irons. His swing looks very compact now right so I don't think he is going to tear his body apart again. 

Tiger will peak at Augusta . It will come to the back nine and the young players will fold because they never competed against Tiger in his prime and will be stunned when he eagles 13 and 15.  The older players will fold precisely because they know he is going to do great things and they will press too hard and make mistakes.

Rory competed quite well against Tiger on the back-9 yesterday. It was Tiger who folded. I believe people are still looking for his drive on No. 16.

He is not the same Tiger he used to be, either mentally or physically.

That said, he is playing well, and I am glad to see it. Any tournament with Tiger playing is a more interesting tournament.

My early pick is Justin Thomas.

[Herman Cain]

Rory competed quite well against Tiger on the back-9 yesterday. It was Tiger who folded. I believe people are still looking for his drive on No. 16.

He is not the same Tiger he used to be, either mentally or physically.

That said, he is playing well, and I am glad to see it. Any tournament with Tiger playing is a more interesting tournament.

My early pick is Justin Thomas.

In the post round interview he said he was going for the eagle on 16 and didn’t execute like he believed he could. He hit some circa 2000 shots this weekend ( long irons from tight spot in sand traps over trees bunker water to close to edge pins). His putting and around the greens is spot on. If he scores well the first two days at Augusta he will be hard to beat.

It was good to see Rory go into over drive . The 373 hard drive right down the middle was quite impressive. Rory is one of the only guys who can malt has or exceed Tigers shot making.

[JWags85]

In the post round interview he said he was going for the eagle on 16 and didn’t execute like he believed he could. He hit some circa 2000 shots this weekend ( long irons from tight spot in sand traps over trees bunker water to close to edge pins). His putting and around the greens is spot on. If he scores well the first two days at Augusta he will be hard to beat.

Tiger stans crack me up.  Again, this is a dude who hasn't won a major in a decade.  Hasn't won a tournament of any kind in 5 years.  Multiple major injuries that kept him out of competitive golf for years.  He's played well in a few tournaments recently, but so have a lot of other guys.  He doesn't hit it a mile farther than everyone else anymore.  He isn't the only one way more aggressive than everyone else anymore.  They think "healthy" Tiger at 40 after a massive layoff is just TOOOOO much for the tour.

Its cool to be excited that he's playing competitive golf again.  Its cool that he might be a factor at Augusta next week.  But this idea that nobody can touch him if he's playing well, much less that guys like DJ, Spieth, or Rory are going to piss themselves that Tiger is around is dreamland.  This comeback is getting into Tebow territory.  Appreciate it for what it is and save the ridiculous superlatives.

[MU82]

Tiger stans crack me up.  Again, this is a dude who hasn't won a major in a decade.  Hasn't won a tournament of any kind in 5 years.  Multiple major injuries that kept him out of competitive golf for years.  He's played well in a few tournaments recently, but so have a lot of other guys.  He doesn't hit it a mile farther than everyone else anymore.  He isn't the only one way more aggressive than everyone else anymore.  They think "healthy" Tiger at 40 after a massive layoff is just TOOOOO much for the tour.

Its cool to be excited that he's playing competitive golf again.  Its cool that he might be a factor at Augusta next week.  But this idea that nobody can touch him if he's playing well, much less that guys like DJ, Spieth, or Rory are going to piss themselves that Tiger is around is dreamland.  This comeback is getting into Tebow territory.  Appreciate it for what it is and save the ridiculous superlatives.

I agree with all of this except the Tebow part. Tiger the golfer is 1000 miles ahead of Tebow the (pick your sport) player.

There are dozens of golfers as good as Tiger now. They hit it as far or longer, they putt as well or better, and they are just as tough mentally. (Tiger's 16th hole yesterday blew up because he made a mental mistake - that's exactly what he said.) Plus, they are not trying to shake off years of rust.

I'm thrilled to have him back; the Masters will have a little more juice to it this year. But I'd be beyond stunned if he won at Augusta. I hope he makes the cut.

[StillAWarrior]

I agree with all of this except the Tebow part. Tiger the golfer is 1000 miles ahead of Tebow the (pick your sport) player.

There are dozens of golfers as good as Tiger now. They hit it as far or longer, they putt as well or better, and they are just as tough mentally. (Tiger's 16th hole yesterday blew up because he made a mental mistake - that's exactly what he said.) Plus, they are not trying to shake off years of rust.

I'm thrilled to have him back; the Masters will have a little more juice to it this year. But I'd be beyond stunned if he won at Augusta. I hope he makes the cut.

There is one things that Tiger is better at than all the other golfers:  attracting eyeballs.  If Tiger is in contention on Sunday (even remotely), I wonder what their ratings increase will be over last year.  I'm sure CBS shares your hope that Tiger makes the cut.

I suppose it's possible that Tiger will win the Masters, but I think it's extremely unlikely.

[tower912]

Strictly from a golf standpoint, I think Phil will do better at the Masters than Tiger will.  He, too, had a string of top 10s this spring.  But Phil actually has a win.  Tiger still needs to overcome that obstacle.  I don't think Augusta is where it happens.  I think Tiger contends, but can't get over the last hurdle.

[MU82]

There is one things that Tiger is better at than all the other golfers:  attracting eyeballs.  If Tiger is in contention on Sunday (even remotely), I wonder what their ratings increase will be over last year.  I'm sure CBS shares your hope that Tiger makes the cut.

I suppose it's possible that Tiger will win the Masters, but I think it's extremely unlikely.

If a two-year community cosmetology college can beat the No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, anything can happen in any sport!

[JWags85]

I agree with all of this except the Tebow part. Tiger the golfer is 1000 miles ahead of Tebow the (pick your sport) player

Probably phrased that poorly. I didn’t mean that they were comparable at all ability wise, but rather excitement and hype far surpassing likely outcome (whether it be Tebow as a high level NFL QB or a major leaguer, lolz).

I mean, I know that Vegas odds are just a reflection of money flow, but the fact that he’s close to a betting favorite shows how ridiculous people are being about this.

[MU82]

Probably phrased that poorly. I didn’t mean that they were comparable at all ability wise, but rather excitement and hype far surpassing likely outcome (whether it be Tebow as a high level NFL QB or a major leaguer, lolz).

I mean, I know that Vegas odds are just a reflection of money flow, but the fact that he’s close to a betting favorite shows how ridiculous people are being about this.

Certainly agree about the hype ... although it could be argued that Tiger has earned at least a chunk of that hype by excelling at the very highest level.

But I hear ya. Rory is a pretty hyped guy, too ... but he wasn't even mentioned by the TV yakkers until after Tiger's entire round was described.