us open - winged foot

[GPK]

Originally Posted by gales0678

I don't think anyone in the world can win the US Open by ONLY hitting 50% of the fairways

GPK do you agree?

Not with the progressive rough they have there this year. The further off line you hit it, the more penal it will be.

Winner will need to hit at least 65% of his fairways.

[Gander]

I hope Tiger chips & putts better than he did in that last round in the Masters. He better plan on hitting 90% of his fairways if his short game is like that.

[GPK]

I firmly believe Tiger is sitting on a really big performance. I promise you he is VERY aware that Phil has won the last two majors and he will have none of that. Its constantly clear that his desire is to be the best in the world and the wider margin that he can seperate from #2 in the world the better. People talk about a rival for Tiger, but I'm sure in Tigers mind he is thinking "F that."

Ironic that 6 years ago, the same days, June 15-18 we were witness to the most dominating performance ever witnessed on a golf course. 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach. Would love to see a repeat of that this year at Winged Foot.

[Gander]

You know how I feel about both golfers Kev, but like it or not I believe Tiger does indeed have a legitimate rival right now in Phil. Tiger had absolutely every chance to win at the Masters. Phil was coming off a huge win in a no name tournament and everybody said he would bounce. You have to give credit where credit is deserved. Phil played magnificient the last day at the Masters.

Phil has now won 3 majors and is owners of the last 2. Tiger has 10. I know thats still quite a gap but Tiger needs to start rolling again for anybody to think Phil isnt a rival.

This coming from me...Tiger = Red Sox, Phil = Yankees (In terms of how I like each).

[whorstman]

Yeah, 50% was a bit of an exaggeration. I was kind of agreeing w/ GPK with Tiger sitting on a big one. I think his mind will be much clearer and he will hit enough fairways to get by. He is the best scrambler w/ his inventive shot making that even if he misses the fairway, he can still muscle the ball out. I have a feeling that if he brings his "B" game he will win by a few shots. "A" game and he laps the field.

[gales0678]

I think he had his B game at the Masters this year and did not win.

He said himself that he never hit the ball better tee to green. Putted horribly.

There are others who if they play their A game and he plays his B game he will lose to, maybe a couple of years ago that was not the case, but, today it is. I think the other players have cuaght up to him more thant you think.

Also - He has never lapped the field in a US Open on a tight tree-lined course like Winged Foot. Pebble Beach is not like the Open courses in the East.

1 other fact - of his 10 majors - only 1 is on a par 70 course - Bethpage Black where he won by 3 strokes. Tiger's advantage on a par 70 over the field is not as big as a par 71 or 72. He has won 6/10 majors on Augusta and St Andrew's - two par 72 course that play as par 68's for him and par 72's for 95 % of the other players in the field.

I think he is a bet agianst this week at 5/1 off his layoff and history on par 70
courses.

[Gander]

I am a huge Tiger fan but yet I get tired of hearing that every time he doesnt get it done, hes only playing his B or C game. You can basically say that about any player. Yes I know Tiger wins more than anyone else with his sub-average efforts but lets be honest... Tiger blew it at the Masters. He had a chance to win and got way out played by Phil.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Gander

I am a huge Tiger fan but yet I get tired of hearing that every time he doesnt get it done, hes only playing his B or C game. You can basically say that about any player. Yes I know Tiger wins more than anyone else with his sub-average efforts but lets be honest... Tiger blew it at the Masters. He had a chance to win and got way out played by Phil.

He got out putted by Phil.