Opinion & Analysis
Doesn’t Tiger deserve better than butt jokes?
Below is just a sampling of the idiocy I saw in my Twitter feed immediately after Tiger Woods’ withdrawal today.
I can’t say it’s representative of the rest of what’s out there. I can, however, say it’s bothersome, ridiculous, and insensitive. Further, it was a sophomoric display of inappropriate humor from golf writers who should know better.
Dave Kindred – Golf Digest
I think what Tiger means by "activate my glutes" is that it is long past time to get his ass in gear.
— Dave Kindred (@DaveKindred) February 5, 2015
Kyle Porter – CBS Sports
I don't know who is more sad. Via @bradleyjtate. pic.twitter.com/D4FDtjOdLN
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) February 5, 2015
Adam Schupak – Golfweek
I have a feeling that Tiger is going to be the butt of a lot of jokes on Twitter today.
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) February 5, 2015
Jason Sobel – Golf Channel
Phil Mickelson holes a long birdie putt. Man, how 'bout that guy's glutes?!
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) February 5, 2015
Matthew Rudy – Golf Digest
Deactivated glutes…Is the dead ass period in golf anything like the dead arm period in baseball?
— Matthew Rudy (@RudyWriter) February 5, 2015
Somebody needs to register @TigerGlutes stat…
— Matthew Rudy (@RudyWriter) February 5, 2015
Guy Yocom – Golf Digest
Yes, but only with 100% activation. RT @AnnLiguori: #TigerWoods told reporters he couldn't "activate the glutes" Will he ever be 100% again?
— Guy Yocom (@guy_yocom1) February 5, 2015
Stephanie Wei – Wei Under Par
What a pain in the butt: Tiger Woods withdraws due to back injury http://t.co/aWC1fLWJ3T
— Stephanie Wei (@StephanieWei) February 6, 2015
Let’s get this out of the way too. Look at Tiger’s comments:
“It’s just my glutes are shutting off. Then they don’t activate and then, hence, it goes into my lower back.”
The issue with his glutes LED to his back seizing up.
And further, the top portion of the glutes are part of the lower back anyway (if I remember my basic anatomy). Thus, it’s not like Tiger said, “I’m withdrawing because of a pain in my ass.”
It’s a back issue.
We’re burning the guy for offering a technical explanation for how it acted up? Where it hurt first?
To do so is insensitive and inappropriate. I’m not saying that Tiger Woods needs to be placed back on his pre-scandal pedestal or revered as the savior of humanity Earl Woods painted him as.
I am saying, however, that the man has a back injury. His game is in disarray. He tried to gut out a round and couldn’t. He’s arguably the greatest golfer of all time. Doesn’t he deserve a little better than butt jokes?
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 PGA Championship betting preview: Rising star ready to join the immortals at Valhalla
The second major of the 2024 season is upon us as the world’s best players will tee it up this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky to compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.
The last time we saw Valhalla host a major championship, Rory McIlroy fended off Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler and the creeping darkness that was descending upon the golf course. The Northern Irishman had the golf world in the palm of his hand, joining only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as players who’d won four major championships by the time they were 25 years old.
Valhalla is named after the great hall described in Norse mythology where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The course is a Jack Nicklaus-design that has ranked among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” for three decades.
Valhalla Golf Club is a par-71 measuring 7,542 yards with Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens. The course has rolling hills and dangerous streams scattered throughout and the signature 13th hole is picturesque with limestone and unique bunkering protecting the green. The 2024 PGA Championship will mark the fourth time Valhalla has hosted the event.
The field this week will consist of 156 players, including 16 PGA Champions and 33 Major Champions.
Past Winners of the PGA Championship
- 2023: Brooks Koepka (-9) Oak Hill
- 2022: Justin Thomas (-5) Southern Hills
- 2021: Phil Mickelson (-6) Kiawah Island
- 2020: Collin Morikawa (-13) TPC Harding Park
- 2019: Brooks Koepka (-8) Bethpage Black
- 2018: Brooks Koepka (-16) Bellerive
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) Quail Hollow
- 2016: Jimmy Walker (-14) Baltusrol
- 2015: Jason Day (-20) Whistling Straits
- 2014: Rory McIlroy (-16) Valhalla
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Valhalla
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for Oak Hill to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Valhalla will play as a true all-around test of golf for the world’s best. Of course, it will take strong approach play to win a major championship.
Strokes Gained: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Shane Lowry (+1.25)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.09)
- Jordan Smith (+1.05)
- Tom Hoge (+.96)
- Corey Conners (+.94)
2. Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Valhalla will play long and the rough will be penal. Players who are incredibly short off the tee and/or have a hard time hitting fairways will be all but eliminated from contention this week at the PGA Championship.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Bryson DeChambeau (+1.47)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.11)
- Keith Mitchell (+.90)
- Alejandro Tosti (+.89)
- Ludvig Aberg (+.82)
Strokes Gained: Total on Nickalus Designs
Valhalla is a classic Nicklaus Design. Players who play well at Nicklaus designs should have an advantage coming into this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Nicklaus Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Jon Rahm (+2.56)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.48)
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.35)
- Collin Morikawa (+1.79)
- Shane Lowry (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Tee to Green on Very Long Courses
Valhalla is going to play extremely long this week. Players who have had success playing very long golf courses should be better equipped to handle the conditions of this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Very Long Courses Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.44)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.24)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.78)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.60)
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships
One factor that tends to play a large role in deciding major championships is which players have played well in previous majors leading up to the event.
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships over past 20 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+3.14)
- Will Zalatoris (+2.64)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.49)
- Xander Schauffele (+2.48)
- Tommy Fleetwood (2.09)
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens
Valhalla features pure Bentgrass putting surfaces. Players who are comfortable putting on this surface will have an advantage on the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens over Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+1.12)
- Denny McCarthy (+1.08)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (+0.99)
- Justin Rose (+0.93)
- J.T. Poston (0.87)
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways
Valhalla features Zoysia fairways. Players who are comfortable playing on this surface will have an advantage on the field.
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways over past 36 rounds:
- Justin Thomas (+1.53)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.47)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.40)
- Brooks Koepka (+1.35)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.23)
2024 PGA Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), SG: Off the Tee (22%), SG: T2G on Very Long Courses (12%), SG: Putting on Bentgrass (+12%), SG: Total on Nicklaus Designs (12%). SG: Total on Zoysia Fairways (8%), and SG: Total in Major Championships (8%).
- Brooks Koepka
- Xander Schauffele
- Rory McIlroy
- Scottie Scheffler
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Shane Lowry
- Alex Noren
- Will Zalatoris
- Cameron Young
- Keith Mitchell
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Billy Horschel
- Patrick Cantlay
- Viktor Hovland
- Adam Schenk
- Chris Kirk
- Sahith Theegala
- Min Woo Lee
- Joaquin Niemann
- Justin Thomas
2024 PGA Championship Picks
Ludvig Aberg +1800 (BetMGM)
At The Masters, Ludvig Aberg announced to the golf world that he’s no longer an “up and coming” player. He’s one of the best players in the game of golf, regardless of experience.
Augusta National gave Aberg some necessary scar tissue and showed him what being in contention at a major championship felt like down the stretch. Unsurprisingly, he made a costly mistake, hitting it in the water left of the 11th hole, but showed his resilience by immediately bouncing back. He went on to birdie two of his next three holes and finished in solo second by three shots. With the type of demeanor that remains cool in pressure situations, I believe Ludvig has the right mental game to win a major at this point in his career.
Aberg has not finished outside of the top-25 in his past eight starts, which includes two runner-up finishes at both a “Signature Event” and a major championship. The 24-year-old is absolutely dominant with his driver, which will give him a major advantage this week. In the field he ranks, in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, and has gained strokes in the category in each of his past ten starts. Aberg is already one of the best drivers of the golf ball on the planet.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the great hall where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The Swedes, who are of Old Norse origin, were the last of the three Scandinavian Kingdoms to abandon the Old Norse Gods. A Swede played a major role in the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and I believe another, Ludvig Aberg, will be the one to conquer Valhalla in 2024.
Bryson DeChambeau +2800 (BetMGM)
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the few players in the world that I believe has the game to go blow-for-blow with Scottie Scheffler. Although he isn’t as consistent as Scheffler, when he’s at his best, Bryson has the talent to beat him.
At The Masters, DeChambeau put forth a valiant effort at a golf course that simply does not suit his game. Valhalla, on the other hand, is a course that should be perfect for the 30-year-old. His ability to overpower a golf course with his driver will be a serious weapon this week.
Bryson has had some success at Jack Nicklaus designs throughout his career as he won the Memorial at Muirfield Village back in 2018. He’s also had incredible results on Bentgrass greens for the entirety of his professional career. Of his 10 wins, nine of them have come on Bentgrass greens, with the only exception being the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He also has second place finishes at Medinah and TPC Summerlin, which feature Bentgrass greens.
Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to argue that Bryson isn’t one of the most exciting and important players in the game of golf. He’s also one of the best players in the world. A second major is coming soon for DeChambeau, and I believe he should be amongst the favorites to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy this week.
Patrick Cantlay +4000 (FanDuel)
There’s no way of getting around it: Patrick Cantlay has been dissapointing in major championships throughout his professional career. He’s been one of the top players on Tour for a handful of years and has yet to truly contend at a major championship, with the arguable exception of the 2019 Masters.
Despite not winning majors, Cantlay has won some big events. The 32-year-old has won two BMW Championships, two Memorial Tournaments as well as a Tour Championship. His victories at Memorial indicate how much Cantlay loves Nicklaus designs, where he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total over his past 36 rounds behind only Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.
Cantlay also loves Bentgrass greens. Six of Cantlay’s seven individual wins on the PGA Tour have come on Bentgrass greens and he also was one of the best putters at the 2023 Ryder cup at Marco Simone (also Bentgrass). At Caves Valley (2021 BMW Championship), he gained over 12 strokes putting to outduel another Bentgrass specialist, Bryson DeChambeau.
Cantlay finished 22nd in The Masters, which was a solid result considering how many elite players struggled that week. He also has two top-ten finishes in his past five PGA Championships. He’s undeniably one of the best players in the field, therefore, it comes down to believing Cantlay has the mental fortitude to win a major, which I do.
Joaquin Niemann +4000 (BetMGM)
I believe Joaquin Niemann is one of the best players in the world. He has three worldwide wins since December and has continued to improve over the course of his impressive career thus far. Still only 25, the Chilean has all the tools to be a serious contender in major championships for years to come.
Niemann has been the best player on LIV this season. Plenty will argue with the format or source of the money on LIV, but no one can argue that beating players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith is an unremarkable achievement. Niemann is an elite driver of the golf ball who hits it farther than just about anyone in the field not named Bryson DeChambeau or (arguably) Rory McIlroy.
Niemann is another player who has been fantastic throughout his career on Bentgrass greens. Prior to leaving the PGA Tour, Bentgrass was the only green surface in which Joaco was a positive putter. It’s clearly a surface that he is very comfortable putting on and should fare around and on the greens this week.
Niemann is a perfect fit for Valhalla. His low and penetrating ball flight will get him plenty of runout this week on the fairways and he should have shorter shots into the green complexes than his competitors. To this point in his career, the former top ranked amateur in the world (2018) has been underwhelming in major championships, but I don’t believe that will last much longer. Joaquin Niemann is a major championship caliber player and has a real chance to contend this week at Valhalla.
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In my last post, I explained the basic performance dynamics of “smash factor” and “gear effect” as they apply to your wedges and your wedge play success. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
At the end of that post, I promised “part 2” of this discussion of what makes a wedge work the way it does. So, let’s dive into the other two components of any wedge – the shaft and the grip.
It’s long been said that the shaft is “the engine of the golf club.” The shaft (and grip) are your only connection to all the technologies that are packed into the head of any golf club, whether it be a driver, fairway, hybrid, iron, wedge or even putter.
And you cannot ignore those two components of your wedges if your goal is optimizing your performance.
I’ve long been an advocate of what I call a “seamless transition” from your irons into your wedges, so that the feel and performance do not disconnect when you choose a gap wedge, for example, instead of your iron-set-matching “P-club.” In today’s golf equipment marketplace, more and more golfers are making the investment of time and money to experience an iron fitting, going through trial and error and launch monitor measuring to get just the right shaft in their irons.
But then so many of those same golfers just go into a store and choose wedges off the retail display, with no similar science involved at all. And that’s why I see so many golfers with a huge disconnect between their custom-fitted irons, often with lighter and/or softer graphite or light steel shafts . . . and their off-the-rack wedges with the stock stiff steel ‘wedge flex’ shaft common to those stock offerings.
If your wedge shafts are significantly heavier and stiffer than the shafts in your irons, it is physically impossible for you to make the same swing. Period.
To quickly improve your wedge play, one of the first things you can do is have your wedges re-shafted with the same or similar shaft that is in your irons.
There’s another side of that shaft weight equation; if you don’t have the forearm and hand strength of a PGA Tour professional, you simply cannot “handle” the same weight shaft that those guys play to master the myriad of ‘touch shots’ around the greens.
Now, let’s move on to the third and other key component of your wedges – the grips. If those are not similar in shape and feel to the grips on your irons, you have another disconnect. Have your grips checked by a qualified golf club professionals to make sure you are in sync there.
The one caveat to that advice is that I am a proponent of a reduced taper in your wedge grips – putting two to four more layers of tape under the lower hand, or selecting one of the many reduced taper grips on the market. That accomplishes two goals for your scoring.
First, it helps reduce overactive hands in your full and near-full wedge swings. Quiet hands are key to good wedge shots.
And secondly, it provides a more consistent feel of the wedge in your hands as you grip down for those shorter and more delicate shots around the greens. And you should always grip down as you get into those touch shots. I call it “getting closer to your work.”
So, if you will spend as much time selecting the shafts and grips for your wedges as you do choosing the brand, model, and loft of them, your scoring range performance will get better.
More from the Wedge Guy
- The Wedge Guy: What really makes a wedge work? Part 1
- The Wedge Guy: The easiest-to-learn golf basic
- The Wedge Guy: Golf mastery begins with your wedge game
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Wells Fargo Championship betting preview: Tommy Fleetwood ready to finally land maiden PGA Tour title
The PGA Tour season ramps back up this week for another “signature event,” as golf fans look forward to the year’s second major championship next week.
After two weaker-field events in the Zurich Classic and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, most of the best players in the world will head to historic Quail Hollow for one of the best non-major tournaments of the year.
Last season, Wyndham Clark won the event by four shots.
Quail Hollow is a par-71 measuring 7,521 yards that features Bermudagrass greens. The tree-lined, parkland style course can play quite difficult and features one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in golf known as “The Green Mile,” which makes up holes 16-18: two mammoth par 4s and a 221-yard par 3. All three holes have an average score over par, and water is in play in each of the last five holes on the course.
The field is excellent this week with 68 golfers teeing it up without a cut. All of the golfers who’ve qualified are set to tee it up, with the exception of Scottie Scheffler, who is expecting the birth of his first child.
Past Winners at Quail Hollow
- 2023: Wyndham Clark (-19)
- 2022: Max Homa (-8)
- 2021: Rory McIlroy (-10)
- 2019: Max Homa (-15)
- 2018: Jason Day (-12)
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) (PGA Championship)
- 2016: James Hahn (-9)
- 2015: Rory McIlroy (-21)
Key Stats For Quail Hollow
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes gained: Approach will be extremely important this week as second shots at Quail Hollow can be very difficult.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Akshay Bhatia (+1.16)
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Corey Conners (+1.01)
- Shane Lowry (+0.93)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.82)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Quail Hollow is a long course on which it is important to play from the fairway. Both distance and accuracy are important, as shorter tee shots will result in approach shots from 200 or more yards. With most of the holes heavily tree lined, errant drives will create some real trouble for the players.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+0.73)
- Rory McIlroy (+0.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.62)
- Viktor Hovland (+0.58)
- Chris Kirk (+0.52)
Proximity: 175-200
The 175-200 range is key at Quail Hollow. Players who can hit their long irons well will rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Proximity: 175-200+ over past 24 rounds:
- Cameron Young (28’2″)
- Akshay Bhatia (29’6″)
- Ludvig Aberg (+30’6″)
- Sam Burns (+30’6″)
- Collin Morikawa (+30’9″)
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs
Players who thrive on Tom Fazio designs get a bump for me at Quail Hollow this week.
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.10)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.95)
- Tommy Fleetwood (+1.68)
- Austin Eckroat (+1.60)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)
Strokes Gained: Putting has historically graded out as the most important statistic at Quail Hollow. While it isn’t always predictable, I do want to have it in the model to bump up golfers who prefer to putt on Bermudagrass.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Taylor Moore (+0.82)
- Nick Dunlap (+.76)
- Wyndham Clark (+.69)
- Emiliano Grillo (+.64)
- Cam Davis (+.61)
Course History
This stat will incorporate players that have played well in the past at Quail Hollow.
Course History over past 36 rounds (per round):
- Rory McIlroy (+2.50)
- Justin Thomas (+1.96)
- Jason Day (+1.92)
- Rickie Fowler (+1.83)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.78)
Wells Fargo Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: Off the Tee (23%), SG: Total on Fazio designs (12%), Proximity: 175-200 (12%), SG: Putting Bermuda grass (12%), and Course History (14%).
- Wyndham Clark
- Rory McIlroy
- Xander Schauffele
- Shane Lowry
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Viktor Hovland
- Cameron Young
- Austin Eckroat
- Byeong Hun An
- Justin Thomas
2024 Wells Fargo Championship Picks
Tommy Fleetwood +2500 (DraftKings)
I know many out there have Tommy fatigue when it comes to betting, which is completely understandable given his lack of ability to win on the PGA Tour thus far in his career. However, history has shown us that players with Fleetwood’s talent eventually break though, and I believe for Tommy, it’s just a matter of time.
Fleetwood has been excellent on Tom Fazio designs. Over his past 36 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Fazio tracks. He’s also been incredibly reliable off the tee this season. He’s gained strokes in the category in eight of his past nine starts, including at The Masters, the PLAYERS and the three “signature events” of the season. Tommy is a golfer built for tougher courses and can grind it out in difficult conditions.
Last year, Fleetwood was the first-round leader at this event, firing a Thursday 65. He finished the event in a tie for 5th place.
For those worried about Fleetwood’s disappointing start his last time out at Harbour Town, he’s bounced back nicely after plenty of poor outings this season. His T7 at the Valero Texas Open was after a MC and T35 in his prior two starts and his win at the Dubai Invitational came after a T47 at the Sentry.
I expect Tommy to bounce back this week and contend at Quail Hollow.
Justin Thomas +3000 (DraftKings)
It’s been a rough couple of years for Justin Thomas, but I don’t believe things are quite as bad as they seem for JT. He got caught in the bad side of the draw at Augusta for last month’s Masters and has gained strokes on approach in seven of his nine starts in 2024.
Thomas may have found something in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage. He finished T5 at a course that he isn’t the best fit for on paper. He also finally got the putter working and ranked 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week.
The two-time PGA champion captured the first of his two major championships at Quail Hollow back in 2017, and some good vibes from the course may be enough to get JT out of his slump.
Thomas hasn’t won an event in just about two years. However, I still believe that will change soon as he’s been one of the most prolific winners throughout his PGA Tour career. Since 2015, he has 15 PGA Tour wins.
Course history is pretty sticky at Quail Hollow, with players who like the course playing well there on a regular basis. In addition to JT’s PGA Championship win in 2017, he went 4-1 at the 2022 Presidents Cup and finished T14 at the event last year despite being in poor form. Thomas can return as one of the top players on the PGA Tour with a win at a “signature event” this week.
Cameron Young +3500 (DraftKings)
For many golf bettors, it’s been frustrating backing Cam Young this season. His talent is undeniable, and one of the best and most consistent performers on the PGA Tour. He just hasn’t broken through with a victory yet. Quail Hollow has been a great place for elite players to get their first victory. Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark all notched their first PGA Tour win at Quail.
Throughout Cam Young’s career, he has thrived at tougher courses with strong fields. This season, he finished T16 at Riviera and T9 at Augusta National, demonstrating his preference of a tough test. His ability to hit the ball long and straight off the tee make him an ideal fit for Quail Hollow, despite playing pretty poorly his first time out in 2023 (T59). Young should be comfortable playing in the region as he played his college golf at Wake Forest, which is about an hour’s drive from Quail Hollow.
The 26-year-old has played well at Tom Fazio designs in the past and ranks 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on those courses in his last 36 rounds. Perhaps most importantly, this season, Young is the best player on the PGA Tour in terms of proximity from 175-200 in the fairway, which is where a plurality and many crucial shots will come from this week.
Young is an elite talent and Quail Hollow has been kind to players of his ilk who’ve yet to win on Tour.
Byeong Hun An +5000 (FanDuel)
Byeong Hun An missed some opportunities last weekend at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He finished T4 and played some outstanding golf, but a couple of missed short putts prevented him from getting to the winning score of -23. Despite not getting the win, it’s hard to view An’s performance as anything other than an overwhelming success. It was An’s fourth top-ten finish of the season.
Last week, An gained 6.5 strokes ball striking, which was 7th in the field. He also ranked 12th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The South Korean has been hitting the ball so well from tee to green all season long and he now heads to a golf course that should reward his precision.
An’s driver and long irons are absolute weapons. At Quail Hollow, players will see plenty of approach shots from the 175-200 range as well as some from 200+. In his past 24 rounds, Ben ranks 3rd in the field in proximity from 175-200 and 12th in proximity from 200+. Playing in an event that will not end up being a “birdie” fest should help An, who can separate from the field with his strong tee to green play. The putter may not always cooperate but getting to -15 is much easier than getting to -23 for elite ball strikers who tend to struggle on the greens.
Winning a “signature event” feels like a tall task for An this week with so many elite players in the field. However, he’s finished T16 at the Genesis Invitational, T16 at The Masters and T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 32-year-old’s game has improved drastically this season and I believe he’s ready to get the biggest win of his career.
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Jack Nash
Feb 16, 2015 at 4:39 pm
You can put the blame on the tweeting twits from outfits like the Golf Channel and even this site. It’s unbelivable that they don’t understand all the muscle groups involved with the golf swing. Specially the big muscles including the glutes.
Third time's the charm
Feb 12, 2015 at 8:34 am
I rarely comment on here, but so far I have had my “negative” comment about this article deleted twice. How embarrassing for Golfwrx that they won’t allow commenters to question an opinion piece with their own opinion! As a regular reader/fan/proud-golf-nerd that loves this site, I have never considered abandoning it. Until Today. I can understand Zak’s comment that they don’t allow personal attacks on their writers. If a commenter says “Ben’s an idiot,” sure, that’s uncalled for. But if someone says “this is a terrible article” that’s hardly unfair. It’s certainly more of a professional attack than a personal one, especially given that the writer is attacking OTHER WRITERS (and much more accomplished ones I might add) so why can’t we question him? How hypocritical. A lot of commenters are using their love or hate of Tiger Woods as the reason that this article is “ok” or “not ok.” This article’s problem has nothing to do with Tiger Woods. The problem is that the author is attacking other writers and then turning around and using their tweets to generate page clicks (revenue). “Golf as a whole is better off because of Tiger Woods.” See, that’s my OPINION. You are absolutely welcome to disagree with me, but I feel I could win that argument. In this instance, not only do I think the article is completely out of touch with reality, but it manages to be far more inappropriate in its approach than the writers who make butt jokes. Golfwrx would be better served by taking down this article than taking down our comments…but that’s just my opinion.
Brian
Feb 16, 2015 at 4:23 pm
It is part and parcel of the anti-Tiger v. pro-Tiger divide that has existed for years now. For some, you MUST choose a side, stick to that side, and never question anything brought to light, regardless of whether or not it is fact-based.
Instead, you must be a lemming, at least at some websites I’ve participated, following the lead of someone who censors the message. (Not saying here, but elsewhere.) I for one welcome differing points of view AS LONG AS they are fact-based, and delivered in a respectful way.
Brian
Feb 16, 2015 at 4:26 pm
It is what has become of the Tiger debate.
sharp
Feb 10, 2015 at 2:46 pm
I was at the Farmers on Friday and spoke to several other spectators that claimed to overhear players waiting on tee boxes speaking to each other (loudly as though they wanted to be overheard) about how Tiger was knocking out dumbbell squats the day before the round in the exercise facility. “No wonder his back went out” was the quote I was given. They made it sound like he was trying to intimidate the other players.
Yeah it’s a third hand account so take it for what you will, but tell me that doesn’t match up with Tiger’s personality. Based on the way he’s interacted with fans, how he treated his wife, and this is a biggy, the way he was a massive A-list celebrity at a fairly young age, it’s not terribly surprising to me if he’s got a skewed world & self view that have lead him to his current situation.
Let’s be real, can you imagine performing horribly at your mens club tournament and then telling everyone it was because your ass wasn’t working? There’s a screw loose there.
leftright
Feb 8, 2015 at 10:42 am
If I was Tiger I would let my pride and vanity go out the window. The next medication he should take is something for anxiety or depression which he may very well have. He should call Butch Harmon and lay it all on the line and get back to the swing he had between 2000 and 2004. He is way to upright and his swing looks like a 4 handicappers swing. His head moves and he sometimes is up and down while keeping the head in the same position. He is also much quicker from transition than he once was. Like Obama, Tiger think the world is against him but Tiger can be saved, Obama can’t. If he allows time to pass it will but he has to own up to his mistakes.
Jeremy
Feb 10, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Wow, did not see the bizarre political commentary coming there. Way to keep us on our toes!
KK
Feb 7, 2015 at 10:33 pm
What does Tiger deserve for the countless tantrums he’s thrown and foul language he’s used?
R JACKSON
Feb 9, 2015 at 6:41 am
You tread heavily, but you speak the truth.
Ilsompati
Feb 13, 2015 at 12:22 pm
A diaper and box of tissues perhaps???
michael
Feb 7, 2015 at 5:36 pm
woods deserves stugots. he made his bed let him sleep with his harem!
gee finchem there goes your bank account and pay check!
theboef
Feb 7, 2015 at 3:56 pm
Yes he deserves better, he deserves jokes about pulling out, apparently his rate of pulling out is now much higher than it was when he was married!
Everyone should be able to bear the brunt of jokes and biting satire!
Love the shank count on the article by the way
LindyLoulie
Feb 7, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Since everyone seems to have an opinion or theory as to what is causing the collapse of Tiger’s legendary golf game, I contribute my $.02 worth with a few theories of my own. No butt jokes included.
Ever notice that nowadays every time Tiger plays poorly in the first day or two of a tournament he withdraws and sites some physical ailment as his excuse? I believe that his narcissism won’t allow him to take responsibility for his failures, so out come the somatic complaints and excuses. Nobody likes to play poorly, but look at some of the fellas — and gals — who buck-up and take their medicine with the hopes that they can turn it around in the next round. Phil is a perfect example. You don’t see him using his psoriatic arthritis — an autoimmune disease — as an excuse. That is a terrible disease which causes much pain and fatigue. Granted, he takes medication to keep it under control, however there are still side effects from the medication as well as the disease. His biggest “ailment” is his putting! LOL!!
I find it interesting that when Tiger had all those knee problems he managed to win lots of tournaments anyway with the Torrey Pines victory being one of the most spectacular of all. In those days he played some of the most fantastic golf the world has ever seen.
There is no doubt that his talent is phenomenal, and he has one of the strongest work ethics when it comes to honing his skills, however I wonder if his having been able to play so wondrously through all those injuries and pain had anything to do with certain steroids taken to reduce the inflammation thus allowing him to play through all that pain. That stuff makes you feel like you could conquer the world! It gives you great energy and strength and a feeling of well-being like no other. In addition it helps you play though and cope with much of the pain.
I know all about this from personal experience because I have horrible back problems in addition to arthritic hand pain. When I receive steroid injections in my spine to alleviate the inflammation and pain I can go out to the course and play lights-out! Pain?? What pain?!? After the effects of the injections wear off my game goes back to the dumper. 🙁 BTW, I once was the multiple-time women’s club champ at my course. I can no longer compete, but I don’t make excuses. Much to my doctor’s and husband’s chagrin I still play and try to the best of my current abilities. Tiger needs to suck it up, quit whining, and do the same! That is IF his doctor signs him off on it. If the doc doesn’t sign him off then he needs to just forget trying to play and concentrate on rehabbing his back.
Once Tiger’s knee was finally repaired properly and the “medications” were no longer necessary all of a sudden his game and the rest of his life collapsed. Just sayin’… . He dumps his caddy, his coach (Haney) dumps him, his wife dumps him, all of the girlfriends dump ON him, he gets a new coach who makes an analytical player out of one who was once a great, natural “feel” player, the back is ruined, and the game collapses into a state of complete disarray. He finally sees the light about that and dumps yet another coach. Probably the right move, however now what??
Seems like he ought to get his gargantuan narcissistic ego out of the way and go hat-in-hand trundling off to see Butch or Hank again — the ones who coached him to all of his greatest victories. Then for good measure he should try to get his best-ever caddie — the one who stood by him through all his great victories as well as his worst scandals — to take him back!
Finally, Tiger is certainly one of the greatest golfing talents of all time, but he is NOT the “Greatest Golfer Of All Time.” Jack is! Tiger does not deserve that title until he EARNS IT!! BTW, IMHO even if Tiger were to surpass Jack’s record, he might then deserve that title, however he will NEVER be the man that Jack is!
leftright
Feb 8, 2015 at 10:37 am
Great post! You pretty much said it all.
Yoda
Feb 8, 2015 at 10:38 am
you’re a bore. yes, pain is the great equalizer. tiger wasn’t taking anything that most weren’t taking…he was just a better player.
LindyLoulie
Feb 9, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Jon…AMEN!!!!!! It is so refreshing to know that someone besides me sees thru all the excuse-making by Tiger as well as by all who worship their fallen “God.” All the war cries of “YOU DE MAN!!!” by those beer-soaked-baseball hat-turned-backwards fanboys make me want to barf!! I totally agree with what you are saying. The steroids are gone and so is the game. I have always wondered how many tournaments he REALLY would have won if not for… ! I think drug testing on the tour should have been started long ago.
Back in the day it made me sick to watch the media coverage concentrating all their focus on Tiger when there were lots of other guys who were playing some great golf and worked hard grinding it out. It was said that they were all just playing for second place. Baloney!! They were playing their hearts out trying to WIN despite the fact that THE ALMIGHTY was in the field. I hope that same media will wake up and see what other great talent is out there and stop their Tiger-worshipping. I’m thinking that if anybody has a chance of beating Jack’s record it might just be Rory. What a talent!! He plays some pretty damned exciting golf! Seems to be a nice guy too. No temper tantrums, no snotty attitude, and friendly to all who greet him.
Tiger is a self-indulgent, narcissistic, highly talented, parents’-only-child, spoiled brat who has been forgiven for his bad behavior both on-course and off by his worshipping fans and media because of his immense talent. Because of this he thinks he is entitled to do whatever he wants with whomever he wants whenever he wants. And now his chickens are coming home to roost.
As one who knows all about back problems from first hand experience I can tell you that you are right, Jon. When the back is killing you it is impossible to swing out of your shoes. Period. You simply can’t make the big turn and rip it. That is why I have lost 50 yards. And BTW, my butt doesn’t refuse to cooperate. My legs go into severe spasm (charley horses), so Tiger’s glute excuse doesn’t pass the smell test. And no, that is not another butt joke!
Bottom line (no butt joke there, really!) is that without the drugs Tiger has lost his mighty game. The best way to excuse this while at the same time garnering pity from one’s adoring fans — including the always-admiring press — is to claim injury. The loss of Tiger’s game has led him down that rabbit hole of analysis paralysis. We all know what that does to one’s game!
Oh, and I almost forgot… there was the part about abandoning his beloved Scotty Cameron Newport II putter in favor of that Nike flat stick. His putting has never been the same since. Can anyone tell me why he did that? I have heard that Nike demanded he use ALL of their gear. True?? Or are his putting woes just one more part of his giant case of the yips that have worked their way throughout his entire bag?
Tiger, use all that immense talent you have, be humble (yes, I know that is very difficult if not impossible for you), and go see Butch. Dump your giant ego, make amends, work hard and get your game back on track. You do that and even I will cheer you on! And while you’re at it dump the Nike putter, drag that SC Newport out of the closet and get that putting “magic” back!
Tom Smith
Feb 7, 2015 at 12:55 pm
Am I the only one who thinks Tiger was brilliant in stacking one euphemism on the back of another to explain his inability to motivate himself properly? The euphemism bearing the burden of the latest one has something to do with getting your beast of burden out of “PARK” and into “DRIVE”
Al
Feb 7, 2015 at 9:03 am
The talentless are easily amused.
Cwolf
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:54 pm
The jokes are almost as bad as the article
gvogel
Feb 6, 2015 at 8:15 pm
As usual, tiger brings the jokes on himself. He could have just said that his back muscles tightened up, and he was experiencing some pain.
But the more he tries to put a positive spin on it, the worse it smells. Get Steiny in the act, and it plain out stinks.
If he were really that guy in the lovely family photo album with Elin and the kids that he put out many years ago, there wouldn’t be anything to joke about.
Sorry Ben; I’m old enough to have better role models and heroes.
gerald
Feb 16, 2015 at 6:02 pm
You said it perfectly.
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Milton
Feb 6, 2015 at 4:37 pm
You are right. We should be making fire hydrant jokes, and wondering what club Elin used to knock his teeth out.
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VS
Feb 6, 2015 at 3:52 pm
A few more withdrawals and nobody will care anymore.
dwntnbrown
Feb 12, 2015 at 9:14 pm
nobody cares now. he is done stick a fork in him
Tomterrific
Feb 6, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Good article Ben, I’m glad somebody has the balls to defend Tiger. Nick Faldo gleefully mocks Tiger and giggles about his problems, I can’t watch Sir Hick anymore. People jump on this anti-Tiger vendetta to feel good about themselves, now we know where bullies come from. How about a little respect for a man who is injured, but was and hopefully will be again the greatest golfer of all time.
Philip
Feb 6, 2015 at 5:28 pm
How could someone be the greatest golfer of all time and then not? He either is or isn’t. His current situation have no relevance. Of course, I do think he is the 2nd greatest golfer in the last 50 years, being 2nd or less in wins (majors, PGA Tour, Euro Tour, World wide). Although, I believe his winning percentage is impressive and his run in his twenties is something else.
Not Tiger
Feb 11, 2015 at 8:54 pm
Why defend Tiger? His poor bs excuses are pathetic. My butt doesn’t work right, my patterns are off. Be a man, take ownership of your mistakes and control of your arrogance. Jack will always be the best, not just for the majors but for being a great man and a gracious winner or loser. Jack was smart enough to know you don’t keep changing your swing either. Tiger gets worse with each change. One more and he will be a 14 Hncp.
farmer
Feb 6, 2015 at 3:10 pm
How could there not be butt jokes? Seriously, is the only way Tiger can play is with four days of good weather, no awkward stances, and no delays that cause his glutes to go dead? I accept that he has a medical condition, but he has clearly not been ready to play since the surgery.
Ilsompati
Feb 13, 2015 at 12:29 pm
I agree, mental problems are medical conditions. Keeping those problems and not resolving them borders insanity.
Tom
Feb 6, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Tiger deserves nothing from anyone and the “best golfer every” moniker is ridiculous. Nicklaus is that man… Woods is chasing Jack, not the reverse. Watching his short game over the last few months shows this has nothing to do with his back. He’s just not practicing at all and it shows. He’s gone from a top pro to a 11 handicap. He just needs to go to the short game facility at his home course (or his home) and spend 8 to 10 hours a day. And all this talk about “release pattern” is just stupid. Grow a pair tiger…
Lesson guy
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Somebody send Tom’s contact info to Tiger. Tom’s got it figured out.
Shallowface
Feb 7, 2015 at 10:37 am
There are a lot of people who have it figured out. The fact that Tiger can’t figure it out, won’t listen to those who could help, and thought the answer was to try to find the Haney swing again (which was successful only because of the short game and nothing else and looks like a guy trying to hook the ball around the house from the front yard to the back yard) completely kills the idea that he’s the smartest golfer of all time.
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Cons
Feb 6, 2015 at 1:11 pm
Ben,
Personally, I found these comments to be a touch more purple than sophomoric.
..Adjectives.. you know?
Jus’ sayin,
Cons
Crabgrass
Feb 6, 2015 at 1:01 pm
molehill -> BA -> mountain
Must be a slow day monitoring twitter.
I H8
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:56 pm
If by entertain you mean poke the bear (that was, itself, poking another bear). And by inform you mean give an opinion. Yeah….sure.
I H8
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Gotta agree.
I H8
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Ok, the jokes were lame. So? The golf media has been dining out on Tiger Woods for the last 2 decades; how is this any different? All the golf media talks about is Tiger Woods. Like Billy Horschel said, anyone not named Tiger Woods is chopped liver.
Dlygrisse
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:50 pm
I am sure what Tiger said is a term his personal trainer uses when helping him, but it sure did come across funny.
Butt jokes are funny. Beavis?
CD
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:38 pm
A lighten up
B lighten up
C he surely would be thinking ‘doh! Walked into that one!’
D you say ‘deserve’ – no one owes Woods anything. He deserves respect for his golf by virtue of not making jokes?!?!? And in the alternative? If I refrain from making a back side joke then by the same logic he deserves comments re: cheating on his wife and family
E Most top sports stars avoid blaming injury – even if they are injured for obvious reasons. You blame injury… only a fool wouldn’t anticipate people questioning your motives
F he talked in some bizarre language like he is some champion athlete who desperately wants what he is good at to be a serious athletic endeavour: ‘activation’ ‘glutes’ like ‘reps’. You’re not benching 150kg. You’re not boxing. You’re not driving an F1 car.
Chase Komaromi
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:34 pm
If you can’t respect Tiger as a person that’s understandable.. But if you can’t respect him as a golfer, you aren’t a true golf fan. The guy has shown numerous times how good he can play. Give him a break as far as the injuries go. Everyone has to remember that he is constantly under the media microscope so anything he says/does is all over the news. Nothing like an average professional golfer or athlete. At times you have to feel bad for the guy considering he never even had the chance to lead a normal life, with that talent he was bound to be special.. But with all that talent and fame comes a lot of responsibility that probably no human being could ever handle. Not a huge Tiger fan but the game is much more enjoyable to watch when he’s playing well..
Keith Cook
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Zak, as a fellow golf writer and editor for a website, I appreciate your defense of Ben and what you feel is out of place. However, within the article itself, words like “idiocy” and “sophomoric” are used – directly – and specifically at fellow golf writers. In fact, within the criticism itself, the article uses cut/paste twitter examples (with the writer’s names given) as examples, which degrades the author’s credibility during the piece.
Again, I appreciate the defense, but just as much could be gained by helping Ben out in understanding his article is an example of exactly what he’s bringing to light (being critical of someone by being critical). The criticism and remarks of the article are spot on as elitist and condescending. I don’t mind writers sometimes being purposefully provocative (it’s good for business), but this is a poorly crafted vent – at best.
For the article’s point of whether Tiger is above it all from criticism, the answer is no. In fact, there is no way “I tried to activate my glutes” doesn’t make its way into golf speak all over the world. It’s right up there with “I’m just here so I don’t get fined” in the so far awesome quotes of 2015. Now, I could say more about this, but I couldn’t activate my texting thumb glutes. You see, I took a break between paragraphs and my texting thumb glutes deactivated and I couldn’t reactivate them. I must WD myself at this point. (see that’s funny!)
Keith Cook
Merty Huckle
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Keith Cook nailed it. This article is tabloid trash.
DHaab
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Actually, he did 1 of those 3. And he did that 1 thing very poorly.
Richard
Feb 6, 2015 at 11:30 am
Tiger is one of the best, if not the best golfers in the history of the game and i think he has been really really great for golf. It’s sad that so many people are haters and gladly make negative comments. It’s sad that his extremely successful career should end to soon because of all his injuries. I really hope he will recover.
Lance Kulman
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:59 am
I am becoming more and more frustrated with the media especially the so-called “experts” who write for Golf Digest, Golf, Golf World and others. These individuals think it is OK to “kick” a guy when he is down. Wake up! It’s not!! Tiger was gracious enough to grant an interview to a pack of reports and camera people while in the parking lot, all while enjoying immense pain and trying to gracefully leave to get the back and legs looked at. When asked to step away one of officers finally had to step in and tell the reporters to move back. The media is giving itself a black eye with sensationalism, speculation and outright fabrication just to make a buck at the expense of one of the greatist golfers to ever play the game. Gentlemen and Ladies, if it weren’t for Tiger these great purses would not be available, the PGA would not be so successful and these great young golfers you are seeing coming up wouldn’t be able to make a suitable living playing a great game. So before you condescend and berate any person, not just Tiger, take a second and use some compassion and insight in your reporting.
west
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:56 am
He does deserve “more,” but(t) he also needs to be able to laugh at himself. Talking about “glute loading” as a serious subject can come from only one man. However, if Tiger/the media doesn’t realize how funny this sounds to the common man…they need to lighten up some.
Shawshakeredemp
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:53 am
I watch the jokes come from fans, critics, analyst and wondered why? I don’t believe it’s fair! And it makes me wonder aloud if he were white would this be going on!! We are talking about probably the greatest golfer ever and the man soley responsible for the golf purses today!! Is the any respect in this so called “Gentlemens game” if someone for Tiger! I guess when he some day is gone! The roses will come!! Shame!!
mizzy
Feb 6, 2015 at 11:04 am
Al Sharpton, it has nothing to do with race, it has to do with the guy alienating people and putting himself on a pedastal.
When you are an a**hat to members of the media, other golfers, valets, etc you are going to get a verbal beatdown when you fail.
Side note: Didn’t Tiger play the ’08 us open on one knee?
Scott
Feb 6, 2015 at 11:47 am
mizzy – 100% correct. The chicken have come home to roost for Mr. Woods.
AllBOdoesisgolf
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:52 am
short answer… no
Regis
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:46 am
Tiger has never shown any class or compassion to anyone in his meteoric rise. Starting with Fuzzy Zoeller. There are a number of “old sayings”. Most germane for the moment “Be careful how you treat people in the way up ……….
Tiger Woods Glutes
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:44 am
This article’s headline was edited! It’s still lame. Jokes are jokes. How is this front page?
Bruce
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:40 am
Tiger Woods takes MILLIONS in endorsement payments from golf consumers EVERY year – injured or not. After all, Nike and others must charge consumers to pay Tiger.
Now, what does Tiger give back: “respect my privacy” and similar statements when asked simple questions. Apparently, in Tiger’s eyes, the consumers paying him are unworthy of a word from royalty like him.
Jokes we see now are simply the consumer public returning Tiger’s poor additude.
Ron
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:29 am
Enoug already! If the media would leave it alone, it would bey nice. Therear other golfers at Torrey Pines. The entire golf world doesn’t go away becase Tiger pulls out of a tournament.
Golf Channel had over 30 minutes of “discussion” on his “pull-out”. Who cares? Move on!
Chris
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:27 am
Why does he deserve better than Phil, Ricky, or even P.Reed? Jokes have been made about all three but as soon as it’s all-precious Tiger at the butt end (pun intended), then it’s a problem?! Give me a break. He is the one who deserves the most ridicule, he and King James – both of which cry and whine at the slightest bit of pain only to make a “comeback” seem that much more heroic. Now can we talk about DJ please and move on?
Rob Manwiller
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:16 am
When a PGA golfer engages in the kind of countless extra-marital acts Tiger has, putting his family through torment and anguish, also embarrassing his golfing cohorts, I personally have no sympathy for the man, and he should receive all the wrath that’s due him. He most likely still dates some of the same bimbos. Did he repent? Most likely not. The Lord works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he? I think his own head holds the problem and the issues.
NR
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:34 am
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John 8:8
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1
The Lord also left us some guidance. Just a thought.
Wyzen Hymer
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:24 pm
I’ve often wondered, aren’t those who condemn people for condemning someone else … guilty of the same thing?
BTW… Mr. Alberstadt … I think you’d feel better if you’d just lighten up. Face it, Dave Kindred’s comment was humorous. Besides, the jokes are about Tiger… why is YOUR nose out of joint? I’m no sociologist, but it certainly seems that those who cannot take a depreciating joke tend to invite more – and even harsher jokes the next time. On Tiger’s behalf, you may want to Grin and “Golden Bear” it. Seriously, they called Nicklaus – “Fat Jack” – and he didn’t like it, but he didn’t drop a litter of kittens. He just went out and consistently beat many of the “best golfers of all time” (Arnold, Gary, Lee, Tom, etc) and became “arguably the greatest golfer of all time.” .
Sticks and stones and all that Mr. Alberstadt…
RobG
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:15 am
I have the same lower back problems. I know what its like to have my lower back and glutes give out mid-round and lose all the strength in my legs. Its tough, so I won’t criticize, but I think people need to lighten up a bit…. There’s never a bad time for a good butt joke!
Professor
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:14 am
Haters gonna hate!
ron
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:50 am
and aint-ers, gonna aint
BOBBY D
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:13 am
WHO REALLY CARES…TIGER IS ONE LIE AFTER ANOTHER,”GLUTES DIDN’T BREAK DOWN AFTER THE BIRDIE…THEN CAME THE DOUBLE,TIME TO GO…THE GAME IS BETTER WITHOUT YOU,A CHEAT,A LIER AND A FRAUD!!!
AJ Jensen
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:09 am
I think it’s disgraceful the way people are bashing Tiger. The man revolutionized the sport of golf. He got people into golf who’d never have been interested in golf. He made golf matter again, and believe me that’s important. Tiger is a great golfer by any metric or standard. The kids Tiger influenced will be coming of age soon, and who knows what’s possible… who knows what miracles we’ll see on tour, that might never have happened if not for Tiger Woods.
James
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:08 am
Well, the media make such a hype about Tiger, Tiger tracker, tiger this Tiger That, everyone then wait to see the big return, changing his chipping swing, bla bla bla, his game has become as complicated as the words he use, his gluts dit not want to fire up. Please help us, if any other player struggles we don’t see them on the broadcast , we want to watch golf not the Tiger drame soap opera
Robert
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:08 am
When the quantity of Tiger butt jokes reaches one-tenth of the number of Mickelson “moobs” jokes, then I’ll stop laughing and attempt to take your request seriously.
P Grant
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:07 am
Tigers game will never improve until he gets back to a wining lifestyle…….Prostitutes, partying, and cheating and lying to those who care about him. Its a proven success formula and anything less shows the truth about his struggles.
juststeve
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:06 am
Tiger chose to make himself a public figure, went out of his way to do it. He has profited greatly from his status as a public figure. Now he shouldn’t be heard to complain because as a public figure he gets negative comments along with the worshipful ones.
Steve
Joe
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:03 am
The tiger bashing is not funny anymore. Kicking a person when they are down seldom is, especially when they have BEEN down for quite a while.
Regis
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:50 am
Yeah. Ask Fuzzy
Daniel
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:43 am
Ben, you’re the worst. I almost commented after the “10 things not to do at a golf tournament” article but refrained. So here it goes. LIGHTEN UP….you are the type of person that dissuades people from taking interest in golf because of the way you portray the game. Get your nose out of the air, and stop taking yourself so seriously…..because nobody else does.
Zak Kozuchowski
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:46 am
Daniel,
There’s a difference between disagreeing with what a writer says and personally attacking him or her. We do not tolerate personal attacks of writers in our comments section, and this is comment is awful close to crossing that line.
Please clean it up, guys.
John
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:10 am
Wow! I don’t see anything personal about Daniel’s reply. He’s commenting on Ben’s commentary. Is this not a public forum? Watch out, or the board Nazi’s will ban you and delete your posts if you don’t agree with them.
C’mon, is Tiger to be held on such a pedestal that no one can criticize the man for what he says or have a little fun at his expense. We were all laughing around the office this morning with that comment too. “Couldn’t get my glutes to activate?” Really? Is Tiger that familiar with the anatomy of the human body that he knows where his back pain originates from? I think not. How about just saying that his back is hurting so much so that he can’t continue.
Best golfer of all time? Debatable. Certainly a dominant force, the likes of which have not been seen in quite some time. His activities off the golf course speak more about him than the scores he posts and titles he has won.
RPK
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:18 am
Well said …
Jim
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:27 am
Butt, it’s perfectly fine for your writer to attack the writers who made comments about Tiger’s problem? Double standard my friend. You ALL need to get your nose out of the sky.
Dave L
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:10 am
Daniel you should take a look at yourself before passing judgement. You almost commented on a article before, thank you so much from refraining, you’re a model of self righteousness. The man is just tryin to give you another side of the story on a man thats not even 12 months removed from major back surgery.
JB
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:42 am
Lighten up and have a sense of humor.
aldan777
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:35 am
Where does golf go without Mr.Woods . I think Golf is on the decline in popularity ,hope not well see in 2 yrs and lets talk about some real issue in golf. Price tags on these golf club $$$$$.outrages. No wounder it declining .
Colin Gillbanks
Feb 6, 2015 at 8:50 am
Jeez. Lighten up.
David
Feb 6, 2015 at 6:14 am
Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer of all time. Please, get that right at least.
Joe Golfer
Feb 6, 2015 at 1:59 am
I see that GolfWRX has a new feature this year where readers can rate the article by clicking an icon at bottom of article.
It is called “Your Reaction?”
One of those listed is IDHT.
I had to Google it to find out what it means.
Two meanings listed that could possibly fit:
1. I Definitely Hear That
2. I Don’t Have Time
So GolfWRX, which one is it?
Nathan
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:04 am
Ahh No! Tiger gives but jokes, tiger gets but jokes. Simple! I think he is over it completely, I mean c’mon its tiger woods!!. If tiger wants to play tiger will play, if tiger wants to win tuger will win. It’s just that Simple!
Ken
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:49 pm
All I know is that my year is off to a better start than those of Tiger, Brian Williams, or Radio Shack.
anon
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:41 pm
We shouldn’t make Tiger butt jokes? What an asinine thing to write.
BD57
Feb 5, 2015 at 11:37 pm
I see what you did there …. 😉
Nicebob
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:36 pm
Horrific foot in mouth by the author. Doesn’t like the sophomoric butt jokes yet he reprints them as click bait for WRX hits. SERIOUSLY HYPOCRITICAL!
Josh
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:33 pm
For the most part those that report the news do it tactfully…. Then there are those that make the others look like the scum of the earth, these are the ones who were picked last in gym class and vent there inadequecies online. The funny thing is what Tiger is saying actually makes sense, until you have had back problems you won’t understand the “glute” statement..
Tom Duckworth
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:22 pm
I wish him well I hope he gets over this and gets back to finish out on a good note this year.
For all his short comings he made himself into a great golfer that thrilled us. I’m not his biggest fan but I don’t enjoy seeing him kicked when he’s down. No one deserves that.
anon
Feb 6, 2015 at 7:35 am
A guy who cheats on his wife with multiple women deserves it.
chad ryan
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:16 pm
We would all respect him if he just finished a round. 75% of people don’t think he’s really hurt. he only WD’s when he plays bad. He looks like a golfer with zero confidence. He looks like a golfer with swing flaws (two way miss) and MOST OF ALL he looks like a golfer that hasn’t practiced much. I and half the guys on this forum probably deal with back pain. I have a displaced disc in my lower back and i still play every weekend. NEVER notice it DURING the round but i’m stiff as Rex Ryan in a shoe store the next morning.
Brian
Feb 6, 2015 at 7:26 am
Hear that! I have two herniated discs from the Marine Corps 11 years ago(!) but I still play to the best of my ability as often as possible.
Not saying I’m a better man than Tiger. I can’t believe people trying to ASSassinate Tiger’s character though.
Philip
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:48 pm
But how could he go a few practice rounds without concern, but when the pressure starts, he walks?
I know swing changes affect the short game, but 5-15 minutes of focus and one can get enough of a short game to survive a round. Pain is pain, when the back hurts is stays hurt … so again, how come only during tournament rounds? Why not during the thousands of chips, and the long hours of bent over a putting green? When my back is hurting I can forget about sitting, standing, resting, driving a car, golf – like right!
Something just doesn’t add up. Unless if he is taking so many pain killers that he is flying during practice, which is why he is always optimistic, but for actual tournament golf he has no choice but to stop the drugs and it is just a question of how long till he cannot play. Maybe in the past he could go 4 rounds, but each time now it is getting shorter and shorter.
Oh well, back to golf – counting down till spring!
DB
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Ben, you fancy yourself a reporter, right? So can we assume you’ve never taken a jab at anyone, anytime, for any reason? Just because you’re a Tiger fan does’t mean everyone else is, nor should they be required to show restraint when he pulls this crap. The title you’ve bestowed upon him as “arguably the greatest golfer of all time” is being argued loud and clear. If he wants to even remain in the conversation about that title he should just retire now, he’s only making it worse the longer he goes on like this. The problem with a lie, is that you have to keep telling it forever… lies to his wife, lies to his sponsors, lies to the media about numerous things such as injuries and swing changes and coach changes and mentors dying, all that supposedly effect his game… heck, he even lied about how his tooth got knocked out. We’d all have more respect if he just said he wasn’t feeling it and was withdrew without all the silly excuses.
Straightdriver235
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:47 pm
Thou shalt not insult the prophet, or he will be avenged. Charlie Hebdo… no, it’s Tiger Woods!!!!
heinket
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:39 pm
I’ve had (4) back/neck fusions in the past 6 years. I know back pain very, very well!! The one thing that aggregated my back the most was driving a car. Tiger got in his car, rotated his back to the right to look over his right shoulder, and then proceeded to back up and drive away. If his back hurt him that much, he would have been unable to do that. Period.
Philip
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:52 pm
When I just had whiplash from a car accident, turning my head was like sticking knives in my back. I do not want to imagine more serious back injuries.
Hicks
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:32 pm
How big of a fanboy tenderfoot must Alberstadt be to write this garbage? Do us all a favor and don’t put an article out for a WHILE.
mo
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:26 pm
Should’ve just said he had back spasms.
ANOTHER JEFF
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:17 pm
Have we forgotten what Haney said in his book? Those with close contact with Tiger say he has all these mysterious injuries. Remember, Stevie rolling eyes as Tiger describes the injury du jour? I think more and more I see Hanks tell all, whether it should have been written or not, as a pretty factual depiction of what is going on on Jupiter Island. The guy can play on a broken leg when he’s hitting it well. When his game is off……. I think a hang nail would suffice as an injury worthy of withdrawing.
Large chris
Feb 6, 2015 at 4:46 am
Agree with this…. And probably an element of psychosomosis – trying to convince himself he is injured, to save his ego.
Apart from the driving a car comment, he was also sitting beside fowler waiting for a hole to clear, rather than doing any stretching or getting some treatment. I thought for a long long time that Tiger could make a great comeback, but now I just don’t see the desire to do the practice necessary.
Joe
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:06 pm
A man who cheated on his wife and kids as well as being rude with the media and fans in the past and present (until his recent attempts to be a nice guy) deserves all the ridicule that comes his way. As the old saying goes, ‘You reap what you sow’. I for one will never have any sympathy for him.
Robeli
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:24 pm
Amen
Rich
Feb 6, 2015 at 6:26 am
Amen +1
RG
Feb 5, 2015 at 8:59 pm
I’m just amazed that he works out and he’s fine, he plays practice rounds and he’s fine, but every time he shows up for a tournament and hits it sideways he’ can barely walk. It’s not his back it’s his brain.
Philip
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:36 pm
That is the interesting thing in all this …
Double Mocha Man
Feb 5, 2015 at 8:56 pm
I’m not a Tiger fan but he showed great restraint with 12 cameras in his face in the parking lot… and it was fun to see that he drives his car himself.
Harley
Feb 5, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Yea you are way better person for only ridiculing these guys for ridiculing Tiger. Pat yourself on the back for a well written piece of….