Why can't Woods win a Major from behind on Sunday?

[toonarmy]

Well, why can't he? 28 and 0 (to use US vernacular) from behind and 13 from 13 when in front.

Thoughts?

I seem to think that when in front on Day 4 he turns into the most boring of golfers and it's all 1i from the tee, par, par, par, ooh birdie...etc knowing that the rest of the field have already mentally conceded. However, when chasing, it's wild swish with driver, average mid-iron control and then all the pressure is on Mr Pitch 'n' Putt. As you saw yesterday, the pitch 'n' putt routine didn't come off and consequently never threatened.

But if it makes the cameras focus on someone else for more than 5 seconds and stops the BBC commentary team from creaming themselves when he does anything at all, then I hope he continues to trail into Day 4 for the sake of the audience!

Prime example was Woods' wedge to 15 followed by the missed putt. When Immelman came along (four years later...) and played the same shot, but better, and made the putt, he received about a fifth of the enthusiasm.

So, Woods on Day 4 Majors - what's the view?

 

[birdieman]

He doesn't have the invincibility when he's not in front. Maybe it's just the case that if he isn't in front after 54 then he's off his game and having a bad week...simple as. The major courses are set up so tough on day 4 that a 'charge' for want of a better word doesn't happen any more. Sometimes leaders give it away like Garcia at Carnoustie but players don't charge up the leaderboard to win with 63's or 64's in Majors anymore.

 

[benny]

Toonarmy - I think you nailed it bra (to use the US vernacular).

Summed up my thoughts exactly.

 

[RGuk]

Prime example was Woods' wedge to 15 followed by the missed putt. When Immelman came along (four years later...) and played the same shot, but better, and made the putt, he received about a fifth of the enthusiasm.

four years later!!! hee.hee. I kept nodding off for 30 minutes at a time, then the missus would wake me up. Hardly missed a thing....

 

[RGuk]

Maybe it's just the case that if he isn't in front after 54 then he's off his game and having a bad week...simple as.

Yup, it's not difficult to see when his game needs a tune up. I think you have this 100% correct.

 

[Parmo]

I might have lost £20 but seeing Woods lose was well worth it

 

[rgs]

Birdieman your been unfair on Harrington at last years open-he shot 67 in the final round to force a playoff-Yes Garcia has chances to win but Harrington applied the pressure.

As regards Woods his opponents know that he generally does not make mistakes when in front-then are forced to chase birdies and they fail. Chasing is a diferent game but as the worlds best player he should have at least one come from behind Major in his locker at this stage-Nicklaus was the master of the fourth day charge.

 

[viscount17]

I'm yet to be convinced that his opponents <u>do</u> chase when he is in front. I still think that it becomes more a case of them protecting their positions because the prize ($$$$$$) for coming second is too damned big!

Fourth day charges - Faldo chasing Norman from 6 behind takes some beating.

 

[madandra]

Lawrie coming from 10 behind to win the '99 Open. The luckiest man ever to win a major but he did what needed doing.

 

[StuartD]

Lawrie coming from 10 behind to win the '99 Open. The luckiest man ever to win a major but he did what needed doing.

Surely the luckiest man was Bob Goalby (1968 Masters) after Roberto DeVicenzo signed for the wrong score.

 

[EchtLoon]

Lawrie coming from 10 behind to win the '99 Open. The luckiest man ever to win a major but he did what needed doing.

Very very harsh. He still had to kill the play-off, which is exactly what he did.