Why is Tiger no longer dominating like he used to?

[senorchipotle]

Is it due to swing changes? The skill level of his peers? ''Tiger proofed'' courses?

As we all know, from about '99 to '02, Tiger dominated the tour with absolutely no regard for human life, winning majors by double digit strokes.

What happened?

[jonnythan]

That's an interesting question, one I've wondered about myself. He has totally decimated the field several times, but not once in recent years. I'm curious to hear what others come up with.

[shankapotamus]

Didn't Tiger dominate towards the end of 2006?

[CG031]

I don't understand what you guys mean. He was hurt last year and still won a major, and he won several after '02 before last years at Torrey Pines...

He's not going to win every major. 14 majors in less time than Jack did it. Not sure what you guys are looking for?

[topspin4hand]

winning majors by double digit strokes.

How many majors has he won by double digits?

[Undr Par]

....wow, why is it that people assume you have to win every week or if you don't you just aren't dominating anymore?

[shankapotamus]

I don't understand what you guys mean. He was hurt last year and still won a major, and he won several after '02 before last years at Torrey Pines...

I think people are expecting Tiger to not only win, but win by 30 strokes blindfolded on one leg.

[jonnythan]

Well, Tiger put up 3 double-digit wins between 97 and 00 - 2 in majors.

He's only put up 1 since, and that was 6 years ago at Bay Hill.

I'm not "asking" for anything from him, just wondering what has changed that he hasn't been able to do that.

[senorchipotle]

How many majors has he won by double digits?

two, i believe... but he also won a few majors by 5 or more strokes during this period.

[TN94z]

Well, he was off for a year and that doesn't include the swing changes. I believe it is a mixture of swing changes, time off, and the more talented field of players that are coming up. It is going to get harder and harder for him to "dominate." When he first came on the tour no one was really working out that much and taking physical abilities into consideration as much. Over the years that Tiger has been there, the tour players have started working on their physical attributes and now all of the younger players are coming in with the same mindset. It is going to get tougher.


I don't understand why eveyone expects him to win every week....IMO, that just bashes the rest of the field in which there are a ton of very talented guys.

[shankapotamus]

Well, Tiger put up 3 double-digit wins between 97 and 00 - 2 in majors.

The fact that he doesn't need to? You don't have to win by double digits to "dominate". You only have to keep winning. At least, imo.

it seems that in the last five or six years,

But he's still winning. That's what he should really care about more than by how much.

[senorchipotle]

I don't understand what you guys mean. He was hurt last year and still won a major, and he won several after '02 before last years at Torrey Pines...

it seems that in the last five or six years, tiger's been winning by only a stroke or two. whereas before that time, there was no question after the second round as to who would be the victor.

[kris]

are you kidding? if not for that double-bogey-bogey finish in the 1st round at he U.S. Open, Tiger probably would have won that tournament.

yeah, Tiger's washed up alright

[senorchipotle]

are you kidding? if not for that double-bogey-bogey finish in the 1st round at he U.S. Open, Tiger probably would have won that tournament.

Never said he was washed up, he's just doesn't seem to be as unbeatable as he once was.

[jonnythan]

Some of you guys are getting pretty offended at this question and putting words in other people's mouths. No one is saying he's washed up, or that he's not as good, or that he needs to win by more, or anything like that. It's just a simple question.

[shankapotamus]

Never said he was washed up, he's just doesn't seem to be as unbeatable as he once was.

When was he "unbeatable"?

Some of you guys are getting pretty offended at this question and putting words in other people's mouths. No one is saying he's washed up, or that he's not as good, or that he needs to win by more, or anything like that. It's just a simple question.

Well when you say he isn't "dominating" we assume you guys are expecting him to win by double digit strokes.

[jonnythan]

Well when you say he isn't "dominating" we assume you guys are expecting him to win by double digit strokes.

That's the problem with assumptions... :)

[Dub]

He's got a great deal of stuff to overcome with the knee....swing changes, etc.....not to mention the time he took off.

Some players never recover from such changes.....much less injuries.

I'm confident, though.....a new Tiger will emerge at the end of this. He's still a threat at any event....and I trust and believe he'll get the 20+ major wins he's after.

Perhaps he'll never "dominate" the same way again.....we'll see. He may just have to suffice with 2-5 wins annually and a major every two years.