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Everyone’s asking: What’s wrong with Tiger?

Published

10 years ago

Feb 5, 2014

As he’s just pocketed a seven-figure sum for an exhibition in Delhi, India (where he reportedly played very well), and in the midst the worst start in his near-20 year professional golf career, it seems fitting to join in the chorus of “What’s up with Tiger?” that’s sounding throughout the golf world.

Before we get to that, let’s remember this: Tiger is held to a different standard. A diminished one than earlier in his career, yes. Still, we expect Eldrick to be Tiger, and further, he does too.

Is this fair at this point? Should we hold a physically feebler 38-year-old Tiger—whose sheen of invincibility vanished thanks to a confluence of forces as disparate as Y.E. Yang and a Florida fire hydrant—to the same standard we held the world-beating Woods of 1999-2002 to?

Probably not.

However, the fact remains: Woods has begun the 2014 calendar golf season (the continuation of the 2013-2014 wraparound) in a tremendously unspectacular fashion. Before we talk about this, though, let’s back up to the dying embers of last season and think about what we were expecting from the greatest golfer since Nicklaus in 2014.

Let’s start with this: 2013 was a reaffirmation of Tiger’s ability to win both convincingly and often. It was also evidence that something is rotten in the majors for Mr. Woods—the sorcery perpetuated by the flagstick on Augusta’s 15th green is evidence enough of that fact.

Woods began 2013 by winning three of his first five starts (The Farmers Insurance Open, WGC-Cadillac Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational). He woulda, shoulda, coulda won the Masters. And he was close at the Open Championship… not so much at the other two majors, and the world No. 1 racked up two more Ws before the season’s end.

Speaking of which, his play wasn’t overwhelming during the Playoffs. However the end of the season is something of a marathon cash grab where players seem happy to stay alive, but not terribly disappointed to return home. Woods did finish tied for second at The Barclays and made it to the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

To begin his 2014 PGA Tour campaign, Woods abysmally missed the cut (remember when he didn’t miss cuts?) at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, a course he’s won at nine times. To be totally forthright, it was a secondary cut. Even so, during a six-hole stretch, Woods was 7-over par, en route to the third-round 79 that left him on the outside looking in.

Woods then finished 41st at the Dubai Desert Classic, 10 shots behind winner Stephen Gallacher. He’s won the event twice and never finished outside of the top 20. That left many questioning the golfer’s mettle and preparation.

Is this valid? Perhaps. Is he toughing it out when he doesn’t have it in the way “Tiger the grinder” of old did? Probably not. However, he may be wishing he spent more time working on his swing and putting stroke during the off-season (brief as it was).

These two things are true: First, Tiger Woods will win multiple events on the PGA Tour as long as he’s healthy for the remainder of his career. Second, as the years pass, majors, which were always incredibly significant to Tiger, become even more so. Thus, the rest of the year becomes primarily about preparing for the majors and lining the pockets of his Nike golf pants.

It’s no great secret that Woods needs to work on his driving and put in some extra reps with the putter. He is assuredly taking the next several weeks to do these things. Tiger’s start to 2014 has been bad, perhaps even unacceptable on some level. However, he’ll invest the time before the Honda Classic and get to where he needs to be, play the aforementioned tournament and his customary succeeding two (WGC, Arnold Palmer), then take a week off before the Masters, at which point we’ll surely be having a very different conversation.

It’s too soon into the first quarter of Tiger Woods’ 2013-2014 campaign to say he’s not where he needs to be heading into the Masters. While many fans and scribes expect Woods to win every week—and enjoy playing shrink and swing doctor when he doesn’t—life for a 38-year-old Tiger Woods, who trails Jack Nicklaus’ majors mark by four and Sam Snead’s PGA Tour victory mark by only three, is decidedly more focused on the former.

Regarding his play at Torrey Pines, Tiger said, “I was just a fraction off.” Nobody wants to hear this but it’s likely true. Thus, Tiger may have been unprepared, and he may not have dug as deep as he would have in previous years. However, he isn’t searching for answers; a few minor adjustments with Sean Foley and he’ll be ready for the Honda Classic at the beginning of March.

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65 Comments

StraightDriver235

Mar 2, 2014 at 5:43 pm

If you look back tiger has never been the same since his beloved father died. What i saw was an amazing father son relationship. Without dad tiger doesn’t act maturely, doesn’t bounce back, digs holes for himself, acts prideful, etc. he needs a father figure to regain form… but those aren’t easy to come by, not like Earl. He is turning in his grave, God rest his soul..

Reply Report comment
RG

Feb 28, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Absolute insanity. The guy had FIVE wins last year. That’s more than Luke Donald or Bubba Watson have in their careers. All that’s wrong is he wins a lot. 5 wins is a quarter of a hall of fame career. Forget everything, all the majors, if he has the same year this year as he had last year he has more wins than 90+% of golfers on the Web. com,PGA , Champions and LPGA. People get a grip.
The truth is none of us, not even the professionals, have any frame of reference for Tiger. Like it or not he is so far ahead of everyone it’s like fleas arguing over what the dog there on is thinking. Golf is ups and downs, ebbs and flows. Just ask yourself this,” If Tiger Woods gets hot would you go all in against him?”

Reply Report comment
Shaman

Feb 26, 2014 at 7:44 pm

There are many factors involved, as there always are, including age, desire, physical state, level of competition, lessening of the intimidation factor, etc. The main issue with Tiger Woods right now is a psychological barrier concerning the Majors and Nicklaus’s record. Tiger won five times last year, more than any other player, and they were wins at top-flight venues. But he did not win a Major. If he had not hit the flag on the 15th green at the Masters, I believe–and I’m not alone in this–he would have won that tournament and the psychological barrier would have been pierced. If Tiger does not win a Major this year I do not think he will break Nicklaus’s record–but I do believe he will win at least one or two more Majors.

Reply Report comment
BOBBY D

Feb 19, 2014 at 4:53 pm

IT’S REALLY A SHAME WE HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT ELDRICK…WHO CARES ABOUT THIS FRAUD ANYMORE ? IF HE DOESN’T WANT TO PLAY THE PGA TOUR ANYMORE,FINE…NOW GO BACK UNDER THE ROCK YOU CAME FROM !!!

Reply Report comment
snookybusby

Feb 17, 2014 at 10:15 pm

Tiger is human, just like us. As we have slumps, so do the professionals. Usually their “misses” are better than ours and their slumps not as long, but under a microscope everything is exaggerated. What’s wrong with Tiger? Well when I play my best it is pure muscle memory, and when I play my worst I am trying to fix things, or not focused. It is likely the same for him. He is likely working on some things or thinking too much about it IMO.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Feb 21, 2014 at 12:28 am
  
  No doubt, the door has been open for his competitors to win for the longest. I think at this point everything prior to the 2014 Masters can be considered spring training. Time will reveal a new swing, determination and most of all more wins. Winning fixes everything. More to follow.
  
  Reply Report comment
SwingBlade

Feb 13, 2014 at 11:13 pm

What is the one thing missing from Tiger’s bag that was there for every single match from the time before he turned pro until the incidents that interrupted his career for awhile?

His special design Scotty red dot tour putter. A number of golf folks I know feel that until he puts his anchor club back in the bag, the problems, especially with the majors, will possibly continue.

Reply Report comment
jabjams

Feb 7, 2014 at 8:37 pm

I thought the same about Phil last year. Questioning would he win another Major and was very sure it would not be the Open. He proved me and alot of others wrong. So, Tiger has room to spare as far as getting things done in a big way.

Reply Report comment
llamont

Feb 7, 2014 at 5:16 pm

He was victorious on five different occasions last season. Give the man a break.

Reply Report comment
- Kammer
  
  Feb 7, 2014 at 7:47 pm
  
  Sorry, can’t. Part of the biz.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Rich
    
    Feb 8, 2014 at 2:12 am
    
    This comment and your previous one are spot on mate. He deserves every bit of scrutiny he gets.
    
    Reply Report comment
Tony

Feb 7, 2014 at 3:59 pm

As for the title of this article;
The only ones asking this are the same ones that put Tiger on the pedestal he has owned since 1997.
It is as old as time, lets raise someone up and then salivate until we can tear him down.
All the golf sports “writers” hopefully shouldn’t forget, they’d be writing local newspaper obits if it weren’t for Tiger.

Reply Report comment
- Kammer
  
  Feb 7, 2014 at 7:46 pm
  
  Tiger deserves every last bit of scrutiny he gets. He himself has had a major role in inviting criticism, putting himself on a pedestal with his play, promotions, and earnings. The dude has made a BILLION dollars as a professional golfer. You don’t think his every move is going to be dissected?
  
  He will be scrutinized forever. Time to get over it.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - llamont
    
    Feb 7, 2014 at 11:23 pm
    
    The 2014 season has barely started and people are acting like he’s a washout… Give me a break. Quoting Kammer, “the dude has made a BILLION dollars as a professional golfer.” How much HAVE you earned? How many professional wins DO YOU have? What’s been YOUR legacy to an entire sport? Lol. Some people take their opinions far too serious.
    
    Reply Report comment
Christian

Feb 7, 2014 at 12:33 pm

Put down the driver and step away.

Reply Report comment
Jgpl001

Feb 6, 2014 at 5:00 pm

He is getting older and needs to accept this (physically he is in good shape, but his concentration is poor), he is trying too hard, and this swing remodelling nonsense where do we start???

He is a natural drawer of the ball and is comfortable with all the characteristics that go with this

Despite the fact he may be the greatest player ever (a big thread there….) and he can fade the ball, it is not natural to him, it NEVER will be and he cannot control it or can be certain in any way where any iron will go

He is suffering from “Harringtonitis”, he needs to stop tinkering and go back to what he was comfortable with and won so much with

Reply Report comment
Rob

Feb 6, 2014 at 10:53 am

The root of Tiger’s struggles is fairly easy to identify, he said it himself at a press conference earlier this year. He hates practicing during his vacation time because he wants to spend that time with his kids. Read between the lines. He is basically saying he didn’t practice at all during the off-season – hence – the rust.

We can’t compare Tiger today to the Tiger he was from 99-02 and 05-08. He is a different man with different priorities. Golf has taken a backseat to his kids.

A lot of people say time is wasting he is already 38, but what we fail to realize is he has 12 (or more) years left on the PGA Tour. Wait until his kids are in school full time and he can dedicate more time to practice and refining his game. Will he be as dominant as he twice was? Doubtful. But he is and will be good enough to win on a regular basis.

Reply Report comment
dazzi

Feb 6, 2014 at 10:30 am

I think it´s only a change in preperation. He´ll want to peak during the major season instead of before and after, like last year.

my 2cents

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steve

Feb 6, 2014 at 10:09 am

He changed what made him great. What happened to the 2 iron stinger that was always on the fairway and won him majors? What his swing is now is a verison of the stack and tilt and it doesnt work for him. He is so thick headed he wont amit it. He is still trying to fiqure this swing out. Will he win this year? Yeah, at the courses that fit his eye. That being said Torrey fits his eye and it played bad there. His body is getting to big for golf, stop lifting heavy weights and get golf fit. His body is not a golf body it has become a weight lifter body and it doesnt work. As far as his irons and wedges, they are basically the same clubs he won amateur championships with, just a different name on them. Same specs, looks. The woods and putter are different and that is what he struggles with the most

Reply Report comment
naflack

Feb 6, 2014 at 3:29 am

i never understood the swing change.
his natural ball was always a draw and then he goes to a fade?
to some level i think tiger finally couldnt get out of his own way.
tweek this, tinker with that, change that to this and this to that…always get better…never settle.
sometimes a person has to have the sense to go with what got you there.

Reply Report comment
- Eirik
  
  Feb 6, 2014 at 5:58 am
  
  I think the main problem is his driving. We have seen this since Sean Foley became his coach: He is aiming way left of the fairway most of the time. The ball does not curve back right and ends up way left of the fw. This happens every time he has an ‘off-week’ and it puts too much pressure on his short game. His ‘safe-shot’ with the driver is not working when his game is off. I noticed in Dubai he hit some nice drives on a few holes that required a draw. Still, on the next hole he continues to aim way left and ends up even more left of the fw. To me that does not make sense at all.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Chuck Harris
    
    Feb 6, 2014 at 2:26 pm
    
    He doesn’t aim far enough left, his start line shoots straight up the middle of the fairway them fades right to the rough, needs to aim at the left rough line or a bunker then cut it back.
    
    Reply Report comment
Nick

Feb 5, 2014 at 11:16 pm

I think that injuries, age and excessive weight lifting have caught up with Tiger. During his prime, his 80% swing was longer than almost everyone on Tour. And he was able to dial up some extra distance when he needed it.

Now, Tiger looks like he’s going at it full bore on almost every shot with a 5-iron up. It has ruined his golf swing for a sequencing standpoint and has adversely affected his distance control.

Reply Report comment
Kammer

Feb 5, 2014 at 9:54 pm

“These two things are true: First, Tiger Woods will win multiple events on the PGA Tour as long as he’s healthy for the remainder of his career.”

Not sure how you can claim this to be true. Likely, maybe, but far from fact.

Reply Report comment
CW

Feb 5, 2014 at 7:37 pm

He needs to get away from sean foley. Its not working. Justin rose’s us open is the only major won under foleys eye.

Reply Report comment
- Chuck Harris
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 7:44 pm
  
  Good point, maybe needs to see butch again? Foley blows!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Feb 5, 2014 at 9:48 pm
    
    You’re right. And while he’s at it, he should get his Titleist clubs out of the closet and polish up his old Scotty Cameron. And when he’s done with that, figure out how to consistently drive the ball down the middle of the fairway instead of into the trees. Every time he yanks one right or left, he takes himself out of the competition. Slow down, Tiger!!
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Paddy
      
      Feb 6, 2014 at 3:11 pm
      
      LOL! Same stories and excuses every year. Fire Foley, Fire Haney, hire Butch, go back to the Titleists and bring out the Scotty. He has gotten older and cannot keep up with the young ones in majors or other tourneys. He won 13 of 14 majors with Steve Williams. Throwing Williams under the bus was a big mistake.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - TRBGolfer
        
        Feb 6, 2014 at 3:50 pm
        
        I agree with this completely. Stevie was a HUGE asset to him. Tiger just sounds like a whiner all the time – looks like nothing makes him happy. Tiger’s biggest problem: Tiger.
        
        Reply Report comment
    - Jack
      
      Feb 9, 2014 at 11:16 pm
      
      Yeah, it’s always the clubs’ fault.
      
      Reply Report comment
- J Duf
  
  Feb 6, 2014 at 9:23 am
  
  yeah…he had a horrible year last season.
  
  Reply Report comment
Rich

Feb 5, 2014 at 6:33 pm

He doesn’t deserve to break any records and I hope the pressure keeps piling on. The more pressure there is on him, the less likely it is he will win any more majors. He can’t handle the pressure anymore, it’s as simple as that.

Reply Report comment
- Chuck Harris
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 7:20 pm
  
  And he’s made enough money! He gets paid 6 mill just to show up at events, that’s not including winning! He sucks!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Chuck Harris
    
    Feb 5, 2014 at 7:25 pm
    
    Well… He sucks because he really doesn’t have to grind anymore, signing bonuses killed the motivation to win, why try killing your self to win 1.2 mill when you get 6 to show up, right?
    
    Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 9:42 pm
  
  Why doesn’t he deserve to b real any records? Why do you feel you have the right to make such a statement?
  
  Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 9:50 pm
  
  Real classy statement!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Rich
    
    Feb 6, 2014 at 8:36 am
    
    Thanks for being the first one to bite. I knew there would be someone out there willing to jump on the TW bandwagon. Congratulations, he’s got you fooled second time round. Once a cheat, always a cheat (whether it be in golf or in life). Might be worth defending someone more deserving next time rather than trying to make me look the fool.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Forsbrand
      
      Feb 7, 2014 at 2:59 pm
      
      Rich……..loving the comment! When people give negative comments with regards to Tiger, your labelled a tiger hater??? How strange!! In a nutshell, Woods doesn’t have it any more , probably won’t win another major and I for one can’t wait until someone wins all four majors in a year, I’m not a tigerWoods hater I just think there’s a whole bunch of guys out there capable of toppling tiger and am all for new faces to start wining! Time moves on, changing of the guard!
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Rich
        
        Feb 8, 2014 at 2:28 am
        
        Thanks Forsbrand. Couldn’t agree more. Just remember folks, there’s nothing wrong with being a TW hater.
        
        Reply Report comment
Tony

Feb 5, 2014 at 6:15 pm

Only error I see here is that Tiger didn’t win the Honda Classic in 2013 – Michael Thompson. Check your stats!

Reply Report comment
- Zak Kozuchowski
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 6:26 pm
  
  You’re right, Tony. The story has been corrected to note that he won the 2013 Arnold Palmer Invitational, not the Honday Classic, which was his third win in his first five starts of the season.
  
  Reply Report comment
yo!

Feb 5, 2014 at 2:36 pm

I’d like to see him break Jack’s record, but I’m afraid his best years may be behind him. Every athlete goes through this and I think age is a big factor. Golf is much more competitive than it used to be, and for Tiger to win, he has to be near or at his best. No more cruising on the last day and winning by 10 strokes. Hopefully, he can come out on top in a few more majors in his career.

Reply Report comment
sam

Feb 5, 2014 at 1:54 pm

i don’t care what happens with tiger now still have major respect for his dominance in the past. i think he will win again.. and i agree with MBA-J golf IS hard

Reply Report comment
Thomas

Feb 5, 2014 at 1:40 pm

The best golf coach resides in Temecula CA and the lessons are free for the asking.

Reply Report comment
Paddy

Feb 5, 2014 at 1:37 pm

He has just gotten older or old. Too many good young players too like Reed, English, Spieth and a lot more. Tiger is old news.

Reply Report comment
- robert
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm
  
  Terrible writing imo. Eldrich has one very,very serious problem. He believes in Sean Foley. Big mistake. Its just bad swing theory mixed in with a little svengali. Woods will not ‘fix’ the driver out on the range because he cannot. His range of motion is less since all the pumping and he has zero confidence in driving under pressure. Expecting his putting to constantly rescue him when he plays the majority of his holes from the rough is silly and just not good golf. Eventually the stats catch up with you. This writer teases out a headline and then proceeds to speak in generalities and tired cliches and fails to investigate any signatures or details.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - buddy brown
    
    Feb 5, 2014 at 8:20 pm
    
    tigers ego is to big to go back to harmon and start winning again
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Feb 5, 2014 at 9:58 pm
    
    Robert: excellent analysis on what ails Tiger. His driver is killing his chances to score birdies. As for Foley, either he’s spouting bad advice, or Tiger isn’t listening – or both. I see so-called “swing experts” on the Golf Channel showing us what Tiger is doing wrong off the tee. If they can figure it out, why can’t Tiger?
    
    Reply Report comment
MBA-J

Feb 5, 2014 at 1:14 pm

Golf is hard, folks. Back in 2000, Tiger could win with his C-game because he was considerably longer off the tee and made every putt imaginable. However, as more modern course setups have placed a premium on accuracy and shot shaping, Tiger is more vulnerable to failure by his inability to consistently put the ball in the fairway. Nevertheless, I believe that his true issues are the result of the aggregate of the following external factors: 1. Golf is HARD. 2. Other players are better/great. 3. Bomb and Gouge is dead.

To state that Tiger is “feebler” than in 2000 is laughable. Since LeBron James had an elbow injury three years ago, I guess he’s “feebler” today as well. Tiger is arguably in the top 10% of conditioned athletes in the world, not to mention on the PGA Tour. If Kevin Stadler, who is juuuuuuust short of being bikini-ready, can compete in athletic competition, I have a hunch that TW can hang in there for a little while longer.

If anything, folk should be more appreciative of the golf they witnessed at the turn of the century, as it is highly unlikely that any of us will see that level of dominance again in our lifetime.

Reply Report comment
- Paddy
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 1:47 pm
  
  Tiger being a athlete in great shape is laughable. His knees are shot. Stenson is in much better shape than Tiger. Tiger looks old and won out last year against Stenson.
  
  As far as Stadler, he won last week while Tiger almost missed the cut in the past two weeks and has finished +10 shots or more back.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - MBA-J
    
    Feb 5, 2014 at 2:10 pm
    
    BWAHAHAHA AHA ALAOALAO AMAUA MUAHA AHAHA
    
    So Tiger looked old and worn out against Stenson when he won 5 times last year on the PGA Tour? I guess if Tiger had taken a nap, he would have won 12 times. Did you also say Stenson was in “much better shape” than TW? If so, he must be in that 10% window I posted earlier, so I don’t see your point. And even if he is, I still disagree.
    
    But Kevin Stadler, though? Kevin Stadler won for the first time on the PGA Tour in his life, while TW wins on average every FOUR TOURNAMENTS. Think about that for a moment.
    
    Kevin Stadler has collected one (1) PGA Tour win since his birth certificate was printed. Tiger has 79. SEVENTY-NINE.
    
    The premise of my original statement was to compare them as athletes, but then golf got in the way and I was still able to make my point.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - buddy brown
      
      Feb 5, 2014 at 8:17 pm
      
      stad didn’t win it was given to him
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Paddy
        
        Feb 6, 2014 at 3:13 pm
        
        Stad won while Tiger finished T40 in Dubai.
        
        Reply Report comment
- Kammer
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 9:50 pm
  
  So 3 basketball years =14 golf years? Are you counting the TW and LBJ surgeries equally? Tiger’s had a lot of work done since 2000.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - MBA-J
    
    Feb 6, 2014 at 12:05 am
    
    My issue is with the word “feeble.” How could anyone say with a straight face that Tiger Woods is feeble? After 5 wins last year? Seriously? No, really, seriously?
    
    Tiger can’t be on the proper side of any sound reasoning here. First, there’s a thread concerning whether he put on too much muscle over the offseason/past two months. Two tournaments removed from a five win season and he’s feeble. I’m done here LOL.
    
    If Tiger is feeble, what in the world is the appropriate adjective for the Champions Tour? New Champions Tour Slogan: “These Guys are ~~Good~~ Living.” SMH
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Kammer
      
      Feb 6, 2014 at 9:10 pm
      
      He did win the Open at Torrey on one leg. He’s doubled-up in back pain several times in tournament play. I don’t think he’s ACTUALLY all that feeble, but I do understand how someone could think that of him. He can give one the impression that his body could explode at any moment.
      
      Anyway, I’m actually on your side of the argument here. Just didn’t think you gave the best comparison.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - RumtumTim
      
      Feb 7, 2014 at 8:33 pm
      
      “I’m done here” LOLOLOLOLHAHAHAHAHAJ
      
      I’ve never understood that. As if announcing your departure makes it more meaningful that you were here. LOLOLOLLL
      
      You are being just a weeee sensitive.
      
      Reply Report comment
David Ober

Feb 5, 2014 at 1:09 pm

Tiger has driver yips. They initially started showing up in “big” tournaments, and now they are showing up in virtually every tournament. . He’s not the first. He won’t be the last. Cure those, and he will win again in the Majors.

Reply Report comment
- Pat M
  
  Feb 6, 2014 at 12:13 am
  
  He also has putting yips. Good luck with that.
  
  Reply Report comment
- bill
  
  Feb 7, 2014 at 12:59 am
  
  agreed. Once he finds a way to find the fairway with the driver, he’ll win in bunches again. Just looking at his driving stats in 2000-01 should prove that. His total driving stat was incredible. the big problem is his swing mechanics. He needs to get back to a swing that isnt dependant on timing his arms and forearms to his turn.
  The Harmon move wasnt as bad, but I’m not sure Tiger ever “owned” his swing. If he did, he wouldnt still have the difficulty driving the ball he has now. He needs to somehow get back to swinging the club around himself and get back to the more upright, less rotational (esp his arm swing) move he developed as a junior. Go to Craig Stadler, Tiger! He certainly helped Kevin become a great driver of the ball.
  
  Reply Report comment
Jim Venetos Golf Academy

Feb 5, 2014 at 12:55 pm

I think the problem is definitely related to the swing he is trying to make. Sean Foley teaches a one dimensional swing which works for pros who only try to play one shot. Tiger though understands the game in a multi-dimensional way that requires him to be able to hit fades, draws and manipulate his trajectory. The swing he is making does not lend itself to the style of golf that Tiger wants to play. Basically, Tiger is better than the swing he is being taught.

Reply Report comment
- Lee
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 2:01 pm
  
  Absolutely can’t see where Tiger is going with Foley surely his natural talent should do the talking not this hold off shot that seems to be more of a nemesis than a savour.
  
  Reply Report comment
TheLegend

Feb 5, 2014 at 11:49 am

Well its ez he need a real coach. He should see the genius in northern california. I hear that kid Is unreal. Iv hear rumors that hes been the go to guy for some of the big names who have fallen from the top. I also hear he goes by the name Boogumba and that he lives in the back woods of a place called camino ca. I think tiger needs to dump all those top name coach’s and go see someone like Boo who has very rare talent. I even heard he has the been hogan secret. I hear he a has an iq of 191. Thats crazy smart. See if I were a big name pro id be looking for guys like this.

Reply Report comment
- Ian harris
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 12:48 pm
  
  How did you find me? Damn,I’m relocating somewhere no one would ever think a golf coach/genius would live…………MICHIGAN!!
  
  Reply Report comment
- TheLegend
  
  Feb 5, 2014 at 3:01 pm
  
  No iv seen this kid b4 he lives in camino ca I think he plays at that apple course. A lot of guys ask him to teach them but he is very picky for some reason on who he works with.
  
  Reply Report comment

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1 day ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

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Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

2 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

2 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.