[Noel 905R]

Interesting comment by Butch Harmon:

"Tiger Woods’ former coach Butch Harmon reckons Rory McIlroy is one of two main challengers to the world number one.

Harmon singled out McIlroy from the European Tour and American Anthony Kim from the PGA Tour as the two players most likely to put pressure on Woods when he returns from injury in the spring.

“Woods is mentally a very strong character. You can't see his strength because it's all up there in his mind, he’s so strong," Harmon said.

"At the same time there are a few young players who are doing very well and if I were to pick one from each Tour, I'd pick Anthony Kim and Rory McIlroy.”

Source:

http://www.belfastte...t-14158667.html

[tbowles411]

That may be true, but we all know El Tigre can raise his game to another level. We've all seen it. It's good that there is now solid competition out there so it's not "Tiger wins by 8." I love domination as much as anyone, being a Tiger fan, but I also want to see someone make him earn it from time to time.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Sure McIlroy is good, but not battle tested. Anthony Kim is just starting to rise to the top and still needs a few wins under his belt.....

No one is going to challenge TW anytime soon Butch.

[west coast duffer]

I get tired of hearing all these predictions of the next Tiger slayer. They always say some kid is gonna come knock off Tiger then a few years later that person is never heard from again or struggling to make the Tour. Kim is gonna be good but and Rory still hasn't played enough.

[Ezgolfer]

Did n't they say this about Palmer and Nicholas....

It 's going to happen ....

Rory and Kim are great talents and could very well be candidates ...

[wentorf11]

I think Butch just really wants some one to challenge Tiger. It will happen adventually, it could be AK or Rory, but I don't think it's going to happen any time real soon.

11

[minitour]

Wasn't he claiming a while ago it would be Adam Scott? Good golfer, but hardly challenging Tiger Woods on a regular basis.

-mini

[Pure745]

I cant wait to see this!!! I love watching AK, his demeaner I think can pose big problems for Tiger, and mabye get Tiger off his game.. but only for a breif moment. Then I think Tiger will take his game to another level.. just to prove how good he really is.

I saw this when he was amazed at how well AK was striking the ball at the Tee it up with Tiger thing on the GC. I think that's all the motivation he needed.. this is gonna be a great year for golf

[Lefty17]

He said will challenge......not challenge today.

Rory no doubt has the talent not to many 20 year olds that are in the top 40 without a win.

This kid can play just about any course. We all know about Kim and his talent.

[Noel 905R]

Look forward to McIlroy's début at Augusta this year.

BTW he shot 64 today to lead in Dubai.

[Asleep]

Butch casting a hook out to see if he can catch any new clients.

[mosesgolf]

Didn't Butch say/imply that about Phil and Adam Scott also?

[NDNick]

Why the need to always tout the "next Tiger" or his next challenger? I don't understand why people like Butch always come out and say this. Can we not just admit Tiger is the greatest player to ever play the game and no player will top his ability? Tiger is the pefect storm of a golfer, other-worldly talent and a father who made full use of it at an extremely young age. He has the mental and emotional makeup few on this earther can match, and he hits shots that no golfer can replicate. However, his short game may be his best attribute. He has been molded since Day 1 and is simply a phenomenon. McIlroy and Kim are great players, and could very well win majors, but come on with the Tiger talk.

[scotchblade]

NDNick, on Jan 29 2009, 04:43 PM, said:

I don't understand why people like Butch always come out and say this. Can we not just admit Tiger is the greatest player to ever play the game and no player will top his ability?

I admit it. He's the best ever even though he has five to go. No doubt in my mind he'll get them and more. Amazing talent, mind, he's got it all.

That does not make me a fan. I have and always will pull for the underdog. May, Mediate, David, not Goliath. The have nots, not the haves. You wonder how different Bob May's life would be now had he come out on top in their PGA playoff. How do you root against Bob May in a situation like that?

So I hope Butch is right, although I don't care who it is. I just like great stories and right now, I think a better story than seeing Tiger notch another major is seeing someone paired with him in his final group on Sunday take him out.

[TM golf guy 182]

Call me when one of them beats Tiger head to head on the last day of a Major. Until then it is all just talk.

[bloodred393]

Butch said it himself... Tiger's mind is so strong. His biggest weapon besides his mind is the putter. When he drops a big putt in pressure situations it seems to destroy competitors, especially if they are paired with him on Sunday.
Maybe Kim and McIlroy will be more resilient. We will see.

[djl0657]

I'm a huge TIGER fan and feel that it will be years before his "demise" from being WORLD #1.

I love watching this ANTHONY KIM play, he is charismatic yet has the talent to play well and score low. And, he has youth and time on his side. I look forward to seeing him play to TIGER's level and beyond someday. I'm still a HUGE TIGER fan in the meantime.

[floyd]

I think AK will challenge Tiger, Rory possibly.

[celts5407]

I'm not convinced that either can challenge Tiger. Like someone said previously, when Tiger wants to, he takes his game to a level that is other-worldly. McIlroy has shown he has a little trouble under pressure (2 playoff losses, one of them he just plain rushed his shots, that tournament in the Alps or somewhere like that). As for AK, i'm not sure he can make the putts with the consistency that Tiger can in any situation, not just pressure. That being said, AK and McIlroy are both amazing talents, and undoubtedly will rack up a ton of wins.

[Skaffa77]

That's nice. Next week, Butch will tell us that Phil is refocusing himself on better fitness and a conservative strategy to take his game to the next level. That will be followed up with a comment that Adam Scott is very close to finding that missing link to make him the ultimate golfer.

Personally, when it happens, I'll believe it. Both AK and Rory are talented, but I'm wondering if there is such a desperation to find Tiger's rival that we are likely over-looking the person who will actually do it.

[ballfish]

Dont forget Martin Kaymer. He has many talents as Bernhard Langer has. He has a very good character and he is able to make very important putts. If you watch him at some final rounds in important tournements ...... you will easily notice his killer instinct.

In my opinion he is a bit a head to KIm and Rory but......... to beat Tiger is another story. I bet during next years Tiger will show us how golf can realy be. He will beat every records and he will be number one next couple of years. He is in his own class ........ and I am telling this while beeing not a big Tiger Fan.

From time to time Butch need something to say......... with all respect to Butch ........ let me ask where are his latest results ???? He tried to improve Phils game...... he tried to improve Ernies game ..... he tried ...... I think his great times are in the past and over

[heddp]

This is hilarious - I think that the simple fact is, yes, Tiger Woods is the man...but for the most part, if there were no named contenders, no potential rivals to the top players/teams in any sport people would stop watching. Did you guys watch the Patriots games when they were undefeated up until the superbowl? If you did, you were either A) a Patriots fan, B) watching and rooting for them to lose or C) just love football and didn't get any other games. It has to be the same in golf.

With this being said, there are tons of avid fans who love to watch Tiger dominate...but it gets pretty boring knowing whats going to happen. Let the predictions happen. The player who will end up being the next big thing and possibly competing/beating Tiger when it counts won't care if their name is dropped because they will revel in the pressure. Good points about playing under pressure...Tiger is ridiculous...the predictions are not - Butch and the rest of the "experts" of the golf world can't be wrong forever...well you'd think anyways! Still, however, Tiger may prove all of you right and me completely wrong...I'll rest on hoping there is a challenger in AK or Rory or anyone at that.

[ballshagger]

Tiger is the man. Been watchin this kid McIlroy play for the past few months. This kid is good. I have a feeling he's going to be a major winner, soon.

[pezjason]

Butch Harmon is a Crook

[mopheim]

Tiger is not even human.