Tiger's "weakest" victory so far!

[Amanjoy]

I love Tiger, and I admire the way he won this year's British Open. He was the sentimental favorite and I couldn't help but cheer when he tapped in for victory on Sunday.

However, I will say that this most recent victory has to be his "weakest" so far. Let me explain...

In the past, Tiger always won on pure intimidation. Even when he was challeneged, he always came up with a huge shot, a clutch putt, etc. Or the opposition folded under the pressure of the monumental task of taking the guy down.

This victory at the British Open was achieved by Tiger being very anti-Tiger in not using his driver except for once. He laid up on almost every shot, and relied on crisp, accurate 4 or 5-iron shots from the fairway landing on the green.

This victory was a "weak" Tiger victory because it lacked the intimidation factor that Tiger usually brings. It lacked the "umph" in-your-face quality that have so often accompanied Tiger's major tour victories! Maybe the sentimental aspect of losing his father played a part, or maybe it was him being humbled by being humiliated at the U.S. Open.

I admire Tiger and am happy for him after this victory, but I hope and fully expect that Tiger swagger and intimidation factor to return for the PGA Championship.

 

[uolj]

I'm not sure what the point of the discussion would be, but I'll join anyways.

I don't think it was weak at all. Changing your game to the circumstances and winning in a different way than you have before is more intimidating than just going out and doing the same thing you always do. Before, other players might have hoped that they had a chance when the course didn't cater to the long driving Tiger is well known for. Now, they can't even hope for that.

 

[Amanjoy]

You might have a point there! It definitely makes Tiger even more dangerous. However when I think of Tiger's victories, you think of the domination at the '97 masters or the 2000 and 2002 U.S. Opens. He lead by big margins the whole way, and left no doubt as he slowly ripped out the hearts of the opposition and distiguished himself as the best golfer in the world! His victories always made a resounding statement of , "take that suckers! I'm the best and you and I both know it!" His swagger and overall attitude in this one was more of a "Thank goodness I was able to survive and pull this one out. Too bad my dad isn't here!" You normally don't think of Tiger being crafty, or conservative in his approach. We're used to seeing him intimidating with his drives, and overall power off the tee and from the fairways. I guess this is a new apect to Tiger's game that we'll be seeing when he has to pull it out. I expect a little more swagger from him in the PGA.

 

[e'tinas]

Tiger's victory margins are getting smaller and smaller because the rest of the field is now training in the same manner as Tiger.