Spieth v McIlroy - The Millenials' Tiger v Phil?

[Gunther]

This could be the next great rivalry in golf. Neither is anywhere near as polarizing as Tiger or Phil but the US-Europe thing could help fuel the fire. Rors has a 2-up lead in majors but I see Jordan catching him. One or both could get to 6 or 7. Both are loads of fun to watch. I think the game is in good hands for the next 20 years or so.

[Club Rat]

This could be the next great rivalry in golf.

Both are loads of fun to watch. I think the game is in good hands for the next 20 years or so.

There are a lot of other young players on tour which are impressive and will become very competitive in the near future.

I agree, the game is in good hands............

Club Rat

[Jakester23]

6-7 majors seriously? Have you ever looked at how many players have more than 5 majors? There's only 13 players with more than 5. I would be surprised if either gets to 7.

[Gunther]

6-7 majors seriously? Have you ever looked at how many players have more than 5 majors? There's only 13 players with more than 5. I would be surprised if either gets to 7.

Totally hear you and understand how rare it is but I believe these two kids have the potential to be among the greats of the game. Obviously, so many things could derail them over the years so it's just speculation at this point; I like their chances.

[iacas]

Or it could stay 0 to 2 for the rest of time. We don't know.

[Gunther]

Or it could stay 0 to 2 for the rest of time. We don't know.

Lol, um yes, true.

[KillEveryGopher]

I was raised in the day of Nicklaus, Palmer, Trevino, Miller, etc. and there was really not much doubt week in, week out who was going to contend. There was a limited list of possible major winners back then, but today, with the international flavor and the competition, a major is very difficult to obtain. That is why, even being a Nicklaus fan from way back, that what Tiger has done is amazing. The number of tournaments he has won, the (and this is most amazing to me) incredible made cut rate, and all the while doing it against the best fields in the world, make him very close to the best ever. (I just couldn't say "the" best" ever. Still clinging to Jack!)

That said, Jordan and Rory will have a very difficult time reaching 6 to 7 majors. The competition is just so great today. Heck, two majors puts you into the conversation for Golf Hall of Fame. The only factor for the young guys today is that nutrition and overall health could allow them to play majors well into their 50's. We saw some of that this past weekend.

[3putter]

I know TGC has named Speith heir apparent to the game, and he has game for sure, but I think it's far too early to call.  They spoon fed Ricky to us, same with Woodland, and neither has lived up to the hype. Now it's Speith and English. IMO, I think Henley currently outranks them both, for now and possibly going forward. Hit me up when he wins a major, WGC, players, or any non-run of the mill tour stop.

[newtogolf]

Neither Rory or Jordan are at the levels of Phil and Tiger yet.  Rory has struggled since signing his deal with Nike and while Jordan has done very well, he's still got to win a Major.  If Rory can get back to where he was there will be plenty of young guys to play the role of Phil, such as Bradley, Speith, Reed or Dufner.  At this point they are all auditioning for the roles imo as none has shown the consistency yet to fill the slots.

[Gunther]

Duff a bit older but Reed and Bradley should definitely excel for years. I see them as Ernie and Vijay for the coming generation. Maybe getting a little out there now but my point is, I envision Rory and Jordan separating themselves from the pack with plenty of great talent behind, similar to the past 20 years.

[GangGreen]

Both are loads of fun to watch. I think the game is in good hands for the next 20 years or so.

These are my 2 favorite players to watch so I, for one, would love to see it play out that way.

[Crim]

[ChrisP]

Too early to say. I'm a little worried about Rory. His putting consistency could keep him from getting to that next level. Spieth seems to have the game, but let's give it a little more time.

Golf really needs 3 or 4 stars to separate themselves. The parity is really hurting the game right now. Masters ratings were the lowest since 1993. We need 3 or 4 dominant players to step up and create a rivalry.

[Jakester23]

Masters rating were low because of no tiger or Phil not because of parity.

[Gunther]

[URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/96284/] [/URL]

That's awesome! Lol

[ChrisP]

Masters rating were low because of no tiger or Phil not because of parity.

It's because outside of Tiger or Phil, there's no dominant figure and no one cares. Right now golf has a lot of parity. Which is my point. The game needs someone to step up. It needs a guy to get hot and go on a run and get people talking. It needs a young star right now. Maybe Spieth is the guy. I'm losing faith in Rory...his putting just isn't good enough to get to that next level. But if golf's going to get its ratings back, it needs a star.

[atb5079]

Its way too early to say with these 2. I do believe in Rory and hope he starts contending week in and week out more. I believe he is the one to carry the tour when ratings drop; he's just not there quite yet. Spieth, Reed, Henley, English all guys that need to prove it still as far as multi major, ratings driving players. But those 4 look like they are the next generation. I'm still holding out hope for Day, DJ, Fowler, Haas, Woodland, Stenson, Snedeker. That sorta crew of players and i'm probably missing some others but those guys all seem primed to summit the majors and provide some great rivalvries.

[Pretzel]

One difference I've noticed between Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy is the way they play. McIlroy seems to me to have a more aggressive play style that lends itself to more birdies, but can also lead to more bogies when he's not on top of his game. Watching Spieth I feel like he has a more cautious gameplay that revolves around not making bogeys more than trying to make birdies. That's not to say that Spieth doesn't make birdies and that McIlroy never lays up, but that's the general feeling I get watching those two play tournament golf.