[kush614]

Phil overtakes Tiger again. Leading by 2 shots heading into the final round. If he holds on that would be 2 in-a-row come from behind victories over Tiger. Hope Phil can carry this play into next year. If so, Look out!!

Go LEFTY!!!!!

[homi mike]

same here, hope Phil carries on and win it. Hope AK will do well too, he looks kinda exhausted.
Tiger's ball striking was off.

go sun devils!

[Aces-5]

I watched it this morning and Phil looks pretty dang solid! Also, nice watching Ryan Moore go toe-to-toe and hold is own.

BTW, excellent job with the spoiler alert in the topic title!!! Only if everyone was so considerate!!!!!!!!

[sweeperdraw]

Watched it as well. Tiger seems uber-uncomfortable off the tee. Very negative vibes. Phil is playing very well...have to like him tomorrow.

By the way, Sheshan is a good looking golf course. I am impressed.

[Fishmon]

It has to be tiger for me guys he is far better than lefty

[Aces-5]

Fishmon, on Nov 7 2009, 08:21 AM, said:

It has to be tiger for me guys he is far better than lefty

Far better? Maybe not that much, but better.

[avrag]

A few things I noticed, which seemed a little odd.
On the one par 5 (13th or 14th, I think), Ryan Moore was first to hit his second, so he obviously was shortest from the tee. He hit a hybrid, after him Tiger and Nick Watney both hit fairway woods, which looked more like 3woods than 5woods, yet all three wound up in the exact same place about 50 yards short of the green. When I saw it, I thought both Tiger and Watney were going for the green, it was really surprising that they weren't longer in two than Moore.
Even more surprising was the fact that none of the three made it up and down in two for the birdie. Moore bladed his pitch a little and went long, Watney seemed to duff his and left it short of the green and Tiger at least put in on the green, but it was far from good, ten feet short and he missed the putt.
On the shortest par 4, the 16th, Tiger watched Phil from no more than 50 yards out from the fairway miss his seemingly very makeable birdie putt, then pitched long to exactly the same spot from where Phil had putted and was mad at himself immediately. Apparently he knew it was tough to putt from behind the hole there. Anyway, he missed his birdie putt as well.
Anthony Kim made double bogey on this 288 yard par 4 without a penalty stroke. That was an "Ouch!"
Geoff Ogilvy's scores remind me more and more of Nick Price's before the two great years he had, when he got to No 1. When he is on, he goes extremely low, when he is not, he puts up really big numbers. He shot 30 today on the back 9.

[kush614]

Agree. I knew with it airing so late here in the US that a lot of people would probably DVR it and watch it today.

Final Round on Golf Channel tonight 10PM-3AM EST for those that are interested.

Aces-5, on Nov 7 2009, 07:58 AM, said:

I watched it this morning and Phil looks pretty dang solid! Also, nice watching Ryan Moore go toe-to-toe and hold is own.

BTW, excellent job with the spoiler alert in the topic title!!! Only if everyone was so considerate!!!!!!!!

[kush614]

Yeah, it is a nice looking course. They just added it to the Tiger Woods 2010 game and it's a fun course to play as well.

sweeperdraw, on Nov 7 2009, 08:13 AM, said:

Watched it as well. Tiger seems uber-uncomfortable off the tee. Very negative vibes. Phil is playing very well...have to like him tomorrow.

By the way, Sheshan is a good looking golf course. I am impressed.

[Johnny]

win or lose, it's a win for the pga tour and the fans that Phil pushes Eldrick. Hopefully Phil can keep it together for a few big wins.. Good to see indeed makes for a potentially exciting year.

[tjy355]

sweeperdraw, on Nov 7 2009, 06:13 AM, said:

... By the way, Sheshan is a good looking golf course. I am impressed.

To my eye, it appears unremarkable in every sense.

[Icetech]

I am watching it now, couldn't resist the spoiler though:) I like the elevation changes on some of the holes...

And i hope phil can hold on and not choke:)

[benz5521]

I would love to see the underdog Ryan Moore come through big and pull off a win somehow. I don't think it's going to happen though but I think he'll hang in there and get a top 5 finish. Otherwise, I'd like to see Phil keep the lead and win it. I love watching his swing.

[CryMeARiver]

Should be an interesting final round, you can't ask for more at this time of year. This course is yielding low scores so really anyone within 4 shots has a chance but like most I expect the winner to be either Tiger or Phil. Will Tiger's poor driving keep him from the trophy? Or will Phil's newfound confidence in his putter disintegrate in the face of his main rival?

[homi mike]

One thing i have to rant about is that the commentators are extremely boring and talked about nothing more than "this is the 2nd shot for tiger.... ok he has about 18 feet for birdie". Now I'm more sure if I would prefer them over Johnny Miller if i have to choose I guess they are european tour commentators?
Also, there's no distance to hole except what you see at the tee boxes, and no club selection either. I guess the strong field made up these shortcomings...

[naylor]

homi mike, on Nov 7 2009, 02:27 PM, said:

One thing i have to rant about is that the commentators are extremely boring and talked about nothing more than "this is the 2nd shot for tiger.... ok he has about 18 feet for birdie". Now I'm more sure if I would prefer them over Johnny Miller if i have to choose I guess they are european tour commentators?
Also, there's no distance to hole except what you see at the tee boxes, and no club selection either. I guess the strong field made up these shortcomings...

Give me Dennis Hutchinson or Renton Laidlaw any day over Miller or Nantz -especially Tirico....I also would rather just watch them play golf rather than hear some commentator drone on about how so and so just hit a wedge from 230 when you can clearly see the 3 on the bottom of the iron...

[benz5521]

I hate golf announcers in general. I hate how they always whisper and talk softly. Like what's the point? Golf is already slow and relaxing as it is. The constant whispering just makes it hard to watch sometimes. I wish announcers would talk with more energy.

[Mr.B]

CryMeARiver, on Nov 7 2009, 12:48 PM, said:

Should be an interesting final round, you can't ask for more at this time of year. This course is yielding low scores so really anyone within 4 shots has a chance but like most I expect the winner to be either Tiger or Phil. Will Tiger's poor driving keep him from the trophy? Or will Phil's newfound confidence in his putter disintegrate in the face of his main rival?

Great, now we are going to have to listen to Golf Channel going on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about their manufactured 'rivalry' between Tiger and Phil for the remainder of the tourney

[Icetech]

One of the announcers said phil is actually right handed and only golfs left? is that true? just curious... my boss is left handed but plays hockey right handed..

[elrey23]

Icetech, on Nov 7 2009, 01:24 PM, said:

One of the announcers said phil is actually right handed and only golfs left? is that true? just curious... my boss is left handed but plays hockey right handed..

Yes, it's true.

[homi mike]

Mr.B, on Nov 7 2009, 11:15 AM, said:

CryMeARiver, on Nov 7 2009, 12:48 PM, said:

Should be an interesting final round, you can't ask for more at this time of year. This course is yielding low scores so really anyone within 4 shots has a chance but like most I expect the winner to be either Tiger or Phil. Will Tiger's poor driving keep him from the trophy? Or will Phil's newfound confidence in his putter disintegrate in the face of his main rival?

Great, now we are going to have to listen to Golf Channel going on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about their manufactured 'rivalry' between Tiger and Phil for the remainder of the tourney

Yeah the whole "tiger world tour" is rather annoying...jeez he's good but he's not the only golfer winning tournaments out there. Not a tiger hater just annoyed the fact how golf channel "markets" tiger....

Icetech, on Nov 7 2009, 11:24 AM, said:

One of the announcers said phil is actually right handed and only golfs left? is that true? just curious... my boss is left handed but plays hockey right handed..

It's true

[elrey23]

naylor, on Nov 7 2009, 12:40 PM, said:

homi mike, on Nov 7 2009, 02:27 PM, said:

One thing i have to rant about is that the commentators are extremely boring and talked about nothing more than "this is the 2nd shot for tiger.... ok he has about 18 feet for birdie". Now I'm more sure if I would prefer them over Johnny Miller if i have to choose I guess they are european tour commentators?
Also, there's no distance to hole except what you see at the tee boxes, and no club selection either. I guess the strong field made up these shortcomings...

Give me Dennis Hutchinson or Renton Laidlaw any day over Miller or Nantz -especially Tirico....I also would rather just watch them play golf rather than hear some commentator drone on about how so and so just hit a wedge from 230 when you can clearly see the 3 on the bottom of the iron...

Couldn't agree more. I love the announcing team they have and if you watch the European Tour at all this team are not strangers to you. I don't need all the extra crap that the American announcers add to the telecast. I wanna watch golf and it's refreshing to hear announcers who don't feel that they have to fill every silent moment with babble.

[Fiend76]

Let's Go Lefty

And I agree the Golf Channel markets Tiger Woods way too much. Yeah, we all know he's the best player out there at the moment but we don't need to be reminded every second. I don't hate Tiger but I am not a fan either.

I think Renton and gang really know how to announce a tournament and sometimes let the shot speak for itself.

I'm routing for either Phil or Ryan Moore to win this.

[Icetech]

I would like to see moore win so he can buy a razor...

[skinkman]

so should TGC market Phil more? or Tiger less? so what if others are winning, Tiger showing up to the tournament is huge for the sponsors. Much more so than Mickelson. You don't win 14 majors and puff smoke out there. You create a unique buzz..especially when your nearest rivals aren't anywhere near your marquee achievements...it's reality..get used to it.

I pick Phil to win today. he is driving the ball better and putting better. Those are the two combo's you look for.
Tiger, if his game was sharp would have been leading by 2-3 shots..he returned bogey after birdies in mid round. Still, expect Tiger to put the heat on. should be fun to watch...thrill early season..cool

[OnOff]

No matter what the outcome is tonight, if Phil can keep it up with the putter, next year is going to be alot of fun.

[skinkman]

Quote

Great, now we are going to have to listen to Golf Channel going on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about their manufactured 'rivalry' between Tiger and Phil for the remainder of the tourney

right you are..there is no rivalry...it's just golf...and tiger can't win..if he beats Phil, well, it is expected...if he loses, Phil's the best..LOL.. i wonder if Phil's gonna get into a slump like he did after Doral if he loses..his ego thought he was the best at that time and can't lose LOl...it's golf Phil..go and play

[benz5521]

Icetech, on Nov 7 2009, 02:24 PM, said:

One of the announcers said phil is actually right handed and only golfs left? is that true? just curious... my boss is left handed but plays hockey right handed..

I think the story is that his dad is left handed. So when Phil learned to play when he was young his dad taught him how to play left handed and he just never switched. Seems to have worked out ok for him.

[rascre]

benz5521, on Nov 7 2009, 04:02 PM, said:

Icetech, on Nov 7 2009, 02:24 PM, said:

One of the announcers said phil is actually right handed and only golfs left? is that true? just curious... my boss is left handed but plays hockey right handed..

I think the story is that his dad is left handed. So when Phil learned to play when he was young his dad taught him how to play left handed and he just never switched. Seems to have worked out ok for him.

IIRC, I thought the story was that Phil's dad played right handed and that Phil started playing left handed so that he could mirror him (facing each other).

[BigPete]

I realise most of this thread has been Tiger vs Phil but look further down the top 20 - that has to be one of the most mouth watering leaderboard going into a final day

Phil Tiger Watney Moore Westwood AK Ernie Kaymer Ishikawa Goosen Gay Casey Macillroy and Ogilvy all in the top 20.

As an international marketing event that line up just about covers all bases / continents. Go Westwood imo. 'bout time he bagged a big event.

[OnOff]

scraz7, on Nov 7 2009, 04:35 PM, said:

benz5521, on Nov 7 2009, 04:02 PM, said:

Icetech, on Nov 7 2009, 02:24 PM, said:

One of the announcers said phil is actually right handed and only golfs left? is that true? just curious... my boss is left handed but plays hockey right handed..

I think the story is that his dad is left handed. So when Phil learned to play when he was young his dad taught him how to play left handed and he just never switched. Seems to have worked out ok for him.

IIRC, I thought the story was that Phil's dad played right handed and that Phil started playing left handed so that he could mirror him (facing each other).

Correct.

[dipaoro]

Told my buddy at work that Phil would beat Tiger before the third round started

Will be interesting golf to watch.... I think Lefty is looking strong.

[kemau]

tjy355, on Nov 7 2009, 11:02 AM, said:

sweeperdraw, on Nov 7 2009, 06:13 AM, said:

... By the way, Sheshan is a good looking golf course. I am impressed.

To my eye, it appears unremarkable in every sense.

here's a firsthand account of why it is remarkable....and as he mentioned definitely check out the difference in the clubs used

HSBC in Shanghai - Alexander Noren

"Just got to Shanghai and I'm reflecting over last week's tournament. I'm gonna show you the difference in the clubs I used in the last round of Singapore and the clubs I used in the last round of Portugal two weeks before. Portugal played very short and Singapore played very long.

The course at Singapore made you play very defensive off the tee and then forced you to hit long irons into the greens. We are not used to this kind of courses in Europe. I wish we could play more courses like the one in Singapore. Maybe even longer when you can hit more drivers of the tees. It will make me more prepaired for majors. I really would like to play well in majors so I have to come up with good ways of training and it would also help out a lot if we play more tough courses like the one in Singapore."

[TML]

what a great tournament. This has really been the 5th major this year.

[homi mike]

McIlroy is absolutely on fire!

[RRyders88]

mcilroy seven birds and a bogey thru 8....ridiculous

[MatthewT]

Tiger shows his displeasure with a camera man,

[cAsE sEnSiTiVe]

MatthewT, on Nov 7 2009, 08:21 PM, said:

Tiger shows his displeasure with a camera man,

No....he's simply showing his competitive fire. LOL


EDIT: Tiger imploding in Shanghai....and I am loving every minute of it!

[MtlJeff]

cAsE sEnSiTiVe , on Nov 7 2009, 11:26 PM, said:

MatthewT, on Nov 7 2009, 08:21 PM, said:

Tiger shows his displeasure with a camera man,

No....he's simply showing his competitive fire. LOL

Tiger is just struggling under the pressure of playing in a group with Tiger

[elrey23]

I'm rooting for Ryan Moore or Rory