Who is better - Lefty or Tiger?

[Rafcin]

If it was a match between them right now at this very moment, I believe it would be a battle of the mentally unfit.

I don't think it was the father issue, more of 2 months w/o competitive golf. One has to lose the touch, be just a split second off - and that's exactly what TW showed. His mental game is way too superior not to handle the situation...

[slimeberry]

I'm a Phil fan, hands down. I like his creativity (although it gets him in trouble) and he always looks like he is having the time of his life. He is GREAT with the fans, a wizard w/ a wedge, a good family man, and all in all, I can't think of another player on tour that I enjoy watching as much a Phil.

Having said that, there is no doubt that Tiger is stronger (mentally and physically), more dedicated, and an all around better player. He does not really apeal to me as a fan, but I respect his work ethic.

Let's face it, Phil blew The Open, and he still looks shaken and off his game. Tiger, on the other hand, lost his FATHER (and also blew The Open) and he came back to finish tied for 2nd yesterday.

Phil, although I will be pulling for him in Liverpool, has a long and winding road ahead of him(had to get a Beatles line in there...Liverpool...never mind). Tiger, on the other hand, seems to be back.

[DDBowdoin]

why was this post even created... Tiger is the greatest of all time period....

[! BuBbA wAtSoN !]

Its an interesting post because soo many of you like phil, but I have to agree with DDBowdoin, pretty pointless although i have to say left has really improved these last 2 years but still tiger comes out way on top, hes been number one for ages and hes still only 30. based on form then phil comes out on top but tiger is still going to be the best in 5 years time maybe even 10!!! I wish i could say bubba watson is the best but i wil have to settle for tiger until bubba rules the game

[ezmoney5150]

As much as I hate to say this I'd have to go with Tiger just because when you have to make par Tiger will do it. Phil just threw up all over himself at the thought of winning the US Open.

Both of their games are so different that I don't know which is better. Tigers is so tecnically sound, almost machine like. Whereas Phil's is so feel oriented. It's like comparing Picaso to Divinci.

[Lefty2380]

Number ! phil fan right here, and i have to break it down right now.
Right now-Phil
Overall- Tiger

As much as i love phil, and would love ot see him be #1, it would be completely abscentminded of me to overlook the accomplishments of tiger. what he has done in as little time he has done it is nothing short of amazing.

What I love about phil is his mentality. sure it kills you to watch him take out driver with a 1 stroke lead on the tightest fairway EVER, but it makes you feel like a million dollars when he pulls off shots even tiger couldnt imagine. it's his "go at it or don't play" ideals that make me push for him. its how i play, except i REALLY make it look bad haha. Not to mention i dont think there is a better short game out there, or a player with more creativity, than phil right now!

Im a lefty too, and thats reason enough for me to be a phil fan...

[iacas]

...but it makes you feel like a million dollars when he pulls off shots even tiger couldnt imagine.

That's the thing, and something I said in the podcast: Tiger never puts himself in a position where he has to play some massively "creative" shot.

Personally, I'd put Tiger's creativity ahead of Phil's any day of the week. I think Tiger has more short-game touch, more control, and is a lot better at pulling off tough shots (even if it has a little to do with his better putting).

[Thrash13]

That's the thing, and something I said in the podcast: Tiger never puts himself in a position where he has to play some massively "creative" shot.

I've seen Tiger put himself in some pretty hairy situations before. However, most of those situations were during the first 5 or 6 years on the PGA Tour.

Personally, I'd put Tiger's creativity ahead of Phil's any day of the week. I think Tiger has more short-game touch, more control, and is a lot better at pulling off tough shots (even if it has a little to do with his better putting).

Tiger's creativity is twice as good as Phil's when it comes to 150 yards and out. Phil's creativity around the greens, however, are equal to Tiger from what I've seen over the past year or two. I can't honestly determine who is better with a wedge.

I guess I should have made that more clear. With a wedge in hand, Tiger and Phil are equal. When a putter in hand, I'd take Tiger all day, every day. 150 yards and out- Tiger With a wedge in hand- Both are equal Putting- Tiger In other words, the award goes to Tiger.

[cdriver]

Being a leftie myself, I hate to watch Phil throw up on himself like he did at the Open. I swear, everyone talks about his creativity with a wedge in his hand, but when I see him pick up a wedge around the green, I know its because he didn't use his head and got into trouble AGAIN.

A friend of mine told me once he wished he had that low slider that I could hit. I had to have that shot because I missed so many fairways left. Phil has to have a short game because he just makes too many mistakes. You gotta love the guy for his "go for broke" attitude, but how many times is he gonna shoot himself in the foot before he develops a permanent limp?

On balance, Tiger's game both mentally and physically is better than Phil's.

[Rafcin]

A perfect quote to end this thread:
"... The points separating Woods (No. 1) and Mickelson (No. 2) in the world ranking are equal to the points that separate Mickelson and Brett Rumford at No. 126...."
found it somewhere on the net over and out.

[foma]

To put it in basketball terms (I know, analogy doesn't prove anything), Tiger = MJ. Phil = Reign Man, Barkley, Mail Man, etc. Some have won MVPs during MJ's era, enough to threaten and come close in the finals, but overall, no one could top MJ when he was at the top of his game. Wizards era excluded naturally.

I'm also excluding Bird, Isaiah, Magic, Kobe since their careers overlapped a little but not during the same time to make a real comparison.

[jimmymo]

No doubt Tiger is the better player -- all the hooopla just a function of the Majors over the last year -- which, quite frankly, has been dominated by Phil.

I'd be curious who would have the highest number if you went back and added up their finishing place in the last 20 majors -- I bet it would be Phil -- but I doubt it means much, just that Phil has been more consistent in the majors and can't finish.

[iacas]

No doubt Tiger is the better player -- all the hooopla just a function of the Majors over the last year -- which, quite frankly, has been dominated by Phil.

Errr, no:

Phil: 3 for the last 9 going into the U.S. Open (currently 3 for 11) Tiger: 2 for the last 5 going into the U.S. Open (currently 3 for 7) I'll take a 40% winning percentage and a 43% over 33% and 27% any day. Also remember that Tiger finished 1, T2, 1, T5 in the 2005 majors and, had he been able to putt, would have finished higher in the 2K6 Masters than his T4 (or whatever he was).

I'd be curious who would have the highest number if you went back and added up their finishing place in the last 20 majors -- I bet it would be Phil -- but I doubt it means much, just that Phil has been more consistent in the majors and can't finish.

Tiger would have more "1s" in those last 20, and that's about all that matters.

[jimmymo]

By "last year" I meant last 4 majors -- I should have been more clear -- Phil 2 for 4, Tiger 1 for 4.....I guess it is all how you define the parameters.

You're right though, winning is all that matters -- Phil gets himself in position, but does not have the mental toughness to put them away like Tiger.

I am a big fan of both players and am least glad we are talking about how many majors Phil has won rather than if he will ever win one.