Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open

[DanAS1]

I'm posting this on Sunday morning. By the time you read this, Tiger might have already (a) won the tournament, or (b) been taken out on a cart after collapsing on the 3rd hole. Obviously, there is no way for anyone reliably to predict what will happen today.

Still, whatever happens -- or doesn't happen -- today shouldn't take away from the events of the last two days, any more than a (hypothetical) Game Seven loss could have taken away from the legendary performance of Kirby Puckett in Game Six of the 1991 World Series. On Friday, Tiger drained four 15-20 foot putts in a five hole stretch. And then yesterday, in a six hole stretch, he made a 40 footer for eagle, a 60 footer for eagle, and a chip in from the rough for birdie. And he did all this wincing in pain. Admittedly, he wasn't carrying as much weight as Willis Reed did when he "willed" his team to a Game Seven victory, but I've never seen a golfer appear to play through half as much pain as Tiger did yesterday evening.

Personally, I think the guy is nuts for coming back this quickly from surgery. I said that before the event, and I'd say it again even if he wins it. But whether he wins or loses, my hope is that Tiger has finally put to rest the B.S. that he's not a "real athlete" because he "only" plays golf. I have no doubt that this guy could have played a number of sports at the highest level. Tennis? Easily. Baseball? Why the heck not? Trust me, this dude is one of the best athletes in our lifetime, and it behooves ANY sports fan to put aside their anti-golf prejudices (and stubbornness) and watch him.

[TrenchGoon]

I'm posting this on Sunday morning. By the time you read this, Tiger might have already (a) won the tournament, or (b) been taken out on a cart after collapsing on the 3rd hole. Obviously, there is no way for anyone reliably to predict what will happen today.

Still, whatever happens -- or doesn't happen -- today shouldn't take away from the events of the last two days, any more than a (hypothetical) Game Seven loss could have taken away from the legendary performance of Kirby Puckett in Game Six of the 1991 World Series. On Friday, Tiger drained four 15-20 foot putts in a five hole stretch. And then yesterday, in a six hole stretch, he made a 40 footer for eagle, a 60 footer for eagle, and a chip in from the rough for birdie. And he did all this wincing in pain. Admittedly, he wasn't carrying as much weight as Willis Reed did when he "willed" his team to a Game Seven victory, but I've never seen a golfer appear to play through half as much pain as Tiger did yesterday evening.

Personally, I think the guy is nuts for coming back this quickly from surgery. I said that before the event, and I'd say it again even if he wins it. But whether he wins or loses, my hope is that Tiger has finally put to rest the B.S. that he's not a "real athlete" because he "only" plays golf. I have no doubt that this guy could have played a number of sports at the highest level. Tennis? Easily. Baseball? Why the heck not? Trust me, this dude is one of the best athletes in our lifetime, and it behooves ANY sports fan to put aside their anti-golf prejudices (and stubbornness) and watch him.

I enjoy watching golf when I want to take a nap during the day...or a fishing show. Honestly, I have no doubt that the guy is a great athlete, I just don't care about golf and find it difficult to invest myself in it or in Wood's accomplishments. He seems like a nice guy though.

[Krulik]

I caught the end of a clip where Tiger was sitting on his backside right after a shot but I didn't really catch what happened. He was laughing so it must have been good. Can you fill me in?

[axeldaddy]

May have been the chipped in birdie and looked like he was sitting, but he was kind of hunkering and snickering (embarrassed like) because he must not have expected it to go in.

I was watching some of it and freaked my wife out by uttering, in a quiet house at night, "Holy crap!" like three or four times. Tiger was awesome, and some say that a great golfer is the greatest athlete because of the combination of mental and physical. Not sure I agree but interesting arguments have been made.

I am new to watching golf, last few years, so I must be getting old or something. I want to try it one day, but I hear it is an expensive and frustrating hobby.

Will be watching today.

Not confident Tiger will win.

[glg]

Personally, I think the guy is nuts for coming back this quickly from surgery. I said that before the event, and I'd say it again even if he wins it. But whether he wins or loses, my hope is that Tiger has finally put to rest the B.S. that he's not a "real athlete" because he "only" plays golf. I have no doubt that this guy could have played a number of sports at the highest level. Tennis? Easily. Baseball? Why the heck not? Trust me, this dude is one of the best athletes in our lifetime, and it behooves ANY sports fan to put aside their anti-golf prejudices (and stubbornness) and watch him.

I think people discount Tiger as a real athlete due to the fact that one clearly needn't be a "real" athlete to be an elite golfer. Tiger is, but a number of other elite golfers aren't.

[TrenchGoon]

I would argue that fine motor control is as much a measure of an "athlete" as fast twitch explosiveness. They are just different types of body control.

[jackal]

I think what make Tiger so great is that he is a much physical golfer than in years past.

His game is very sound He has won tournaments with his Driver with his long irons and his putting.

His focus and drive are legendary IMO as an athete. Jordan was like this at big moments
you just can't shake him at key moments.

Tiger also believes he can win at all times no matter how far back he is on staurday.

[Demi]

Out for the year, that's what happens when non-athletes try to rush things. Too bad they can't use carts.

[John]

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3450453