Professional Golf

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I’m hoping he doesn’t come back to the tour or playing majors.
Seeing one of the greatest players not only struggle to make the cut but even make it round the course was no fun the last couple of years he played.
And of course being Tiger every shot he played was shown on TV.

Totally agree with you. I’ve long said I’d like to see him step away from playing and protect his health.

Though I would like to see him as RC Captain and possibly even with in, for both his legacy and I think the competition needs it the last few years the USA has seemed very lacklustre in its efforts and desire to win.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Tiger won't play The Masters - he was just playing the media and giving a few people a story to write.

 

[The Squirrel]

Interesting comments from Tiger in his press conference ahead of the Genesis.

1) Stated he’s back hitting full shots, though not overly well he hasn’t ruled out playing in the Masters.

2) He is considering if he can best serve the players by being next Ryder cup captain as well as the 2 PGA boards he sits on but is giving deep thought.

3) mentioned he can use a cart on the seniors tour so he’s seriously considering extending his playing career in a few events and taking advantage of that opportunity.

1) No, just don't.
2) I'm going off a paraphrased quote only, but just assuming you can be Ryder Cup captain whenever you want and that you'd be doing other people a favour by doing so (rather than it being an honour for you) seems on the arrogant side. I realise the full quote, and how it was said, may have been completely different in tone and content.
3) Yes, do this. It's literally the perfect fit for him at this point.

I know only the Majors have real meaning for Tiger but he shoudn't even think about playing any of them unless he's cranked out more than one 4-round tournament to confirm that he can get round a golf course, and at the required level, first.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

1) I agree

2) full quote had absolutely zero arrogance in it whatsoever and stated he’s been approached and asked to consider the role and he saying it’s an honour to be asked but is taking time to think if he can do justice to the role and give the players his full focus. Which was very well balanced with no selfishness or arrogance.

3) if he’s going f to play that’s the only way he should.

 

[The Squirrel]

2) full quote had absolutely zero arrogance in it whatsoever and stated he’s been approached and asked to consider the role and he saying it’s an honour to be asked but is taking time to think if he can do justice to the role and give the players his full focus. Which was very well balanced with no selfishness or arrogance.

Phew! Fair enough.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The only major I think were Woods can get round four rounds is somewhere like St Andrews where it’s a relatively flat walk


But when it comes to Woods I have learned to rule out anything- he has proven too many times now that his mental strength can get him through anything

 

[sunshine]

I’m hoping he doesn’t come back to the tour or playing majors.
Seeing one of the greatest players not only struggle to make the cut but even make it round the course was no fun the last couple of years he played.
And of course being Tiger every shot he played was shown on TV.

I'd love to see another Tiger comeback... but only on the basis that he is physically capable of walking four rounds without breaking down. I bet the shotmaking ability and winning mentality is still there. Just so disappointing to see all his false starts.

 

[SteveW86]

Would a win for Tiger this year be a better come back than AK?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Would a win for Tiger this year be a better come back than AK?

No!

Tigers biggest comeback was 2019, anything now would be a big bonus. AK comeback deserves its own story and to be seen on its own merits without whataboutery comparing things to Tiger.

 

[BubbaP]

Would a win for Tiger this year be a better come back than AK?

Let you know after it happens

 

[Mel Smooth]

Would a win for Tiger this year be a better come back than AK?

Tiger playing 4 rounds would be miraculous so yes.

 

[howbow88]

I don’t buy into the equipment change cause loss of form debate!

More to with the fact he’s moved continents, playing a tour with far more competition and it’s a huge step up. The courses he’s played such as Torrey Pines and Pebble are far more penal when hitting off line so he can’t just open the shoulders like he did last year. He just needs time to adjust and was always going to go backwards when he first went over there even if he stayed with Mizuno.

You might be right, but he did change equipment and we'll now never know if he would have fared any better if he had stayed with Mizuno. My point is that if you have a winning formula, why change it? Other than the cash, it makes little sense to me. Rose did the same when he changed to that Japanese brand, which didn't work out. Bubba Watson changed ball from Titleist to Volvik, and again it really didn't work out.

I understand why someone would change their clubs if they're having a dip in form or a nagging issue, but that wasn't the case with Penge. America and the PGA Tour is a step up and so for me, it is important to keep doing what worked in Europe and see how that goes.

 

[Mel Smooth]

You might be right, but he did change equipment and we'll now never know if he would have fared any better if he had stayed with Mizuno. My point is that if you have a winning formula, why change it? Other than the cash, it makes little sense to me. Rose did the same when he changed to that Japanese brand, which didn't work out. Bubba Watson changed ball from Titleist to Volvik, and again it really didn't work out.

I understand why someone would change their clubs if they're having a dip in form or a nagging issue, but that wasn't the case with Penge. America and the PGA Tour is a step up and so for me, it is important to keep doing what worked in Europe and see how that goes.

He was offered a chunk of money from PXG, that's why he changed - I'm not gonna knock the man for that. I agree with you that had he stayed with Mizuno then he could have ruled out his equipment for any loss in form, but on the flip side he now has an excuse for his loss in form should he need it.

It's far too early to be judging him anyway, he's moved to a new country, his missus his expecting a baby any day, and he's trying to adjust to playing golf in a different country with some seriously talented players in the field.

I'm sure he'll pull it all together at some point in the not too distant future.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

You might be right, but he did change equipment and we'll now never know if he would have fared any better if he had stayed with Mizuno. My point is that if you have a winning formula, why change it? Other than the cash, it makes little sense to me. Rose did the same when he changed to that Japanese brand, which didn't work out. Bubba Watson changed ball from Titleist to Volvik, and again it really didn't work out.

I understand why someone would change their clubs if they're having a dip in form or a nagging issue, but that wasn't the case with Penge. America and the PGA Tour is a step up and so for me, it is important to keep doing what worked in Europe and see how that goes.

I’d argue he’s starting fresh so no better time to make the change as he goes into it with lower expectations. I also don’t think the change of clubs is as big a deal as people make out. The quality difference in top end clubs is negligible and the amount of testing he would have put in to get the right fit is far beyond what any club player would do so his kit is made to exact specifics.

A ball change is completely different as the characteristics of different balls is a lot more noticeable at all levels compared to clubs and balls aren’t custom fit and tweakable like clubs are. Top level players have been winning with some inferior kit for years, Tiger , Rory and others won with Nike clubs that were pretty poor. More and more player Rose included no longer have club deals because they swap and change all the time yet are still winning so I don’t believe club changes are an issue at all at top level once they find the fit.

He was offered a chunk of money from PXG, that's why he changed - I'm not gonna knock the man for that. I agree with you that had he stayed with Mizuno then he could have ruled out his equipment for any loss in form, but on the flip side he now has an excuse for his loss in form should he need it.

It's far too early to be judging him anyway, he's moved to a new country, his missus his expecting a baby any day, and he's trying to adjust to playing golf in a different country with some seriously talented players in the field.

I'm sure he'll pull it all together at some point in the not too distant future.

Not exactly true. Penge himself came out and said he was offered deals by several manufacturers not just PXG all for big money but he chose the one that felt best and spent weeks honing his fitting. Money absolutely would have played a part but ultimately he chose that brand over others that offered similar fees and he has no excuse because he chosen to switch and said he’s 100% happy with the choice.

Completely agree with you on everything else though.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I’d argue he’s starting fresh so no better time to make the change as he goes into it with lower expectations. I also don’t think the change of clubs is as big a deal as people make out. The quality difference in top end clubs is negligible and the amount of testing he would have put in to get the right fit is far beyond what any club player would do so his kit is made to exact specifics.

A ball change is completely different as the characteristics of different balls is a lot more noticeable at all levels compared to clubs and balls aren’t custom fit and tweakable like clubs are. Top level players have been winning with some inferior kit for years, Tiger , Rory and others won with Nike clubs that were pretty poor. More and more player Rose included no longer have club deals because they swap and change all the time yet are still winning so I don’t believe club changes are an issue at all at top level once they find the fit.

Not exactly true. Penge himself came out and said he was offered deals by several manufacturers not just PXG all for big money but he chose the one that felt best and spent weeks honing his fitting. Money absolutely would have played a part but ultimately he chose that brand over others that offered similar fees and he has no excuse because he chosen to switch and said he’s 100% happy with the choice.

Completely agree with you on everything else though.

He was offered twice much as Mizuno were offering.....

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

He was offered twice much as Mizuno were offering.....

I know but my point it wasn’t just PXG doing the offering..

He had other offers to and I stand by the it’s not the club change that’s affected his start to the season. He didn’t end last year particularly well and he’s now playing against stronger fields in tougher courses. I think he’ll struggle this week as well Riviera isn’t a hugely forgiving course.

 

[Imurg]

I suspect they were all queuing up to make him an offer.......

 

[SteveW86]

No!

Tigers biggest comeback was 2019, anything now would be a big bonus. AK comeback deserves its own story and to be seen on its own merits without whataboutery comparing things to Tiger.

Oh I know. Remember when I said I rarely say anything serious on here

 

[howbow88]

I’d argue he’s starting fresh so no better time to make the change as he goes into it with lower expectations. I also don’t think the change of clubs is as big a deal as people make out. The quality difference in top end clubs is negligible and the amount of testing he would have put in to get the right fit is far beyond what any club player would do so his kit is made to exact specifics.

A ball change is completely different as the characteristics of different balls is a lot more noticeable at all levels compared to clubs and balls aren’t custom fit and tweakable like clubs are. Top level players have been winning with some inferior kit for years, Tiger , Rory and others won with Nike clubs that were pretty poor. More and more player Rose included no longer have club deals because they swap and change all the time yet are still winning so I don’t believe club changes are an issue at all at top level once they find the fit.

Isn't that the point? He is either playing badly or he hasn't yet 'found the fit'. That clesrly wasn't an issue with Mizuno.

This is not to slag off PXG at all, and as pointed out in a different post, it is too early to judge him. But I still can't understand the ethos of changing things when they're working.

 

[Orikoru]

I know but my point it wasn’t just PXG doing the offering..

He had other offers to and I stand by the it’s not the club change that’s affected his start to the season. He didn’t end last year particularly well and he’s now playing against stronger fields in tougher courses. I think he’ll struggle this week as well Riviera isn’t a hugely forgiving course.

I would find it hard to believe that he just agreed to take the money before trying the clubs. Surely when he has the offer on the table in principle, he goes to do the fitting to ensure the gear isn't giving him much worse numbers before signing the contract?? That's just common sense, I'd be shocked if he didn't do it that way.