The new pretender to the throne

[davykyle]

Its Friday and I really should be doing some work but I can't be bothered - there's a surprise.

I keep coming back in my mind to the shot that Rory McIlroy hit in the playoff of the UBS Hong Kong Open from the trees to a green over water and it mightily impressed me. I always knew he had talent but it reminded me of something that Tiger would play and I really cant think of many players that would have taken it on and succeeded at giving themselves a chance to win the hole.

At the minute for me I think there are two players that look as if they are going to be hugely influential on golf over the next decade and so going to be legitimate challengers to Tiger's throne. For me these are Anthony Kim and Rory McIlroy.

I have huge amounts of respect for Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, Paul Casey but I think they have grown up and been heavily influenced and scared perhaps of Tiger. I know this is a contentious statement and I am waiting for the screams of - "this post is a load of rubbish" but bar Padraig I cant really see any of them challenging Tiger heavily in the future.

Rory and Anthony both have the qualities that I think are needed to knock Tiger off his throne. Arrogance and all the shots in the bag. I think if Rory can improve his putting then he will be a serious contender - he has the long game but currently his stats show his downfall is currently in his putting. I believe that he has improved figures so far in the 2009 season of 29.25 putts per rond but this is someway behind Mr Woods at 28.63 putts and Anthony Kim's at 28.85 putts.

Lastly any guesses for Tiger's driving distance for 2008 - He averaged 287.7 against a field average of 287.3, not bad for a 5 iron off every tee. Kim on the other hand was averaging 300.9 yards with Rory coming in on a respectable 295.29.

For me Anthony Kim's play in the Ryder Cup showed that he has fire in his belly and isnt scared of anyone. These are the qualities I think is needed to raise the bar and I dont think there are many that have that fire in the bellies because of the fat cat lifestyle they have been wrapped up in.

To me Anthony and Rory are cahsing victories and anyday now Rory will come through and it will be the start of a huge and impressive winning streak.

I lay myself open to the sharks to get torn to shreads !!

Happy feeding

Davy

 

[USER1999]

I think it will take them a while to really challenge, as I still think experience counts for something. I think Harrington will be the more immediate threat to Tiger.

Thing is at the moment, re: that shot, is that Tiger probably wouldn't play it now either. No percentage, and I think to be the best takes a bit of thinking, not gung ho [****] or bust. This only comes with experience, not youthful exuberance.

Camillo Villegas anyone? I think he will be up there too, but I wish he would line up his putts without lying on the green.

 

[viscount17]

I was about to mention Villegas but as the next Sergio?

I would love to see a return to a situation where there are at least three or four genuine contenders for every title as it was for Jack.

 

[CarpeDiem]

Kim more than McIlroy, but don't get me wrong McIlroy is still a great player with loads of flair but I don't see him competing at the very top. However to be able to pull of shots like he did in Hong Kong, under all that pressure then I don't see why he can't challenge with the elite players. The differnce for me is that Kim will pull those sorts of shots of everytime he needs to, but the chances are that he won't need to.

 

[bernix]

did He show any intention to stand off ?

 

[davykyle]

Villegas has definietely got to be a contender as well. maybe he'll fully step up to the plate next year.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
As far as I know Kim is 24 so Rory has 4/5 years to get to that level heard a good story about Kim that i will tell after lunch as i am typing this during my break.
Mike

 

[Herbie]

I think any young golfer with exceptional tallent can give the impression of future greatness, but it takes more than that in my view. So many golfers have appeared brilliant, then after a number of years fallen away. As far as I am concerned these two have only produced some memorable and brilliant golf on few occasions, in a very short space of time in their carreers. It is too early to judge and for me, neither have done enough in enough matches for me to believe them to be the next Tiger challengers. I remember similar talk about players like Casey, hes a great golfer but not consistant enough to challenge Tiger for the throne.Time will tell with these two.

 

[brendy]

McIlroy is actually ahead of where Tiger was at this point in his life, it will be interesting to se how he gets on. Kim is just another us pga player, I have yet to see much of a personality or shining talent show through. Villegas is a good player too but seems to fade in the final day or two after a good start (the open for example when he was playing with Norman iirc)

 

[muttleee]

Indeed. We all remember Sergio bursting onto the scene in 1999, finishing as runner up to Tiger in the USPGA after that amazing shot from behind a tree. He was widely tipped to be the European Tiger and many expected the two of them to be fighting it out for majors for years to come.

Unfortunately, while Sergio has definitely become a big name in world golf, he's never quite lived up to those early expectations. Hopefully Rory can do as well, if not better, over the next decade or two but only time will tell.

 

[birdieman]

Kim looks the real deal to me, seems to contend week in week out, oozes confidence and doesn't have any weaknesses.
McIlroy hasn't caught my eye as much as some others. The fact he's a young UK player is good but for me he isn't the finished article, short game needs to improve and needs more experience of winning at the top level. Swing looks like a youngsters swing too, perhaps needs to be grooved into a more compact action over time.
Golf is a game where players tend to peak into their early thirties. I hope McIlroy hasn't burnt out by then.

 

[HogansAlley]

Villegas and Kim are the real deal already, I feel that McIlroy is still too young and he's made a couple of poor errors in the latter stages of the two events he eventually lost in play-offs. I expect Sergio to become a major winner sooner rather than later, I fancy him for the US Open. I was very disappointed with Justin Rose last year. His swing is fantastic but I doubt whether he has the killer edge to move up any further. I hope I'm wrong about him.

 

[davykyle]

I think where I was going with this thread - was not who is the finished article but really just who has the raw talent that could be moulded into the next Tiger.

I believe that Sergio proved from a long game perspective that he had the ability to be as great as Tiger but he fell someway short from a mental and short game perspective.

 

[Herbie]

I think where I was going with this thread - was not who is the finished article but really just who has the raw talent that could be moulded into the next Tiger.

I believe that Sergio proved from a long game perspective that he had the ability to be as great as Tiger but he fell someway short from a mental and short game perspective.

Very good point, which is why time will show who has the real grit for the job. Give it a couple more yrs and we'll see where we are then.

 

[TonyN]

You guys are all crazy, Ian Poulter is the second best player in the world and really the only man to take Tigers place

I dont like Kim, I am sorry I really dont. I thought he was an ASS at the RC. Sergio had a sprinkler head in the way of his stance and was told by an officail that he could take a free drop. Sergio tried numerous times to set up without the drop but couldn't. Kim was advised of the drop but kicked off basically saying he didn't need one. When Sergio explained, Kim pretty much demanded Sergio prove to him he couldn't set up (which is fair enough I suppose) but then wouldn't accept it. He said about 6 times to 'Is that your normal stance?' Sergio said 'yes' he said 'you sure thats your normal stance' again Sergio said 'yes' and then Kim turned to the official and said 'you tellin me that is his normal stance' The official said 'it looks like it' Kim then stormed off in a huff. That is not the attitude I want to see from Pro's, how unsporting is that? (rant over)

On the other hand, it pains me to say it but he is good, The next Tiger? I dont think so...I hope not

Aint seen to much of Rory so can't comment.

As for Spiderman Villegas, Possibly, but I doubt it. I think we are yet to be introduced to the next Tiger, and I think it will be a long time before we do.

 

[DCB]

I think that Kim was caught up in the moment when Sergio was trying to get relief from the sprinkler head. Remember, hes only a year on tour and still has a lot to learn. he fell foul of the rules himself last month when he damaged his driver and carried on playing with it. If he knuckles down he may challenge sometimes if he doesn;t he may well drift out to the also rans like Scott and Baddely etc. A lot of very good players. but none have stood out from the crowd in recent years.

 

[Canfordhacker]

heard a good story about Kim that i will tell after lunch as i am typing this during my break.
Mike

Does this mean that you prefer to use work time rather than break time to post? Welcome aboard, you'll be a credit to the forum as you have your priorities right!

 

[Dodger]

Neither capable of getting anywhere near Tiger standard,not any better than good or decent players at the moment.Kim is twice the player of young Rory at the moment but this year will be a huge one for him and interesting to see if he can kick on to the next level....after being somewhat annoyed by seeing his golf ball shaped heed to much during RC I hope he doesn't have too good a year,just something about him seems to annoy me!

As for Rory don't think he will find the next level until as mentioned prev he gets his short game up to the big boys standard,missing that putt in the Swiss play off where it looked like he could have knocked it in with his chopper and 61 putts over the 2 rnds in South Africa to miss he cut by 1 suggests thats where he needs work doing.

 

[thecraw]

I know alot of people will ask what I've been drinking tonight however I'm going to throw a name into the ring here. A guy who I think will start to become a regular/multiple winner and easily go onto win a few majors is.............


Charl Adriaan Schwartzel.

Still only 24 and he has an awsome game.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Mcilroy and Kim are both talented but I don't see either being a dominant force in world golf in the way Woods has. You only get that ltalent once in a generation. If I had to make a guess I can see Kim being top 5 in the world and maybe picking up a USPGA major. I can't see McIlroy winning a major although I think he will be like many others and win regularly on the European circuit. Both will be in a number of Ryder Cup sides.

Garcia looks like a man on a mission at the moment whenever he is on the course and I think maybe the mental demons are being banished and that he has the belief in himself to match his ability. I predict a very good 2009 for him and can see him in contention for several majors.

As for Schwarzel I'm afraid that I am not a huge fan. He is big and long with a good touch like so many others out there but I don't see anything in him that excites me or makes me take notice. I am sure he will earn a tidy living around the world but I can't see him being a world force.