2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Ocean Course Thread

[Chris E]

We should have seen this coming from TW.

22 putts in the first round, and yet only shot -3? -2 in the second round with only 26 putts, including a 3 putt on 18? I haven't been able to watch much of those rounds and haven't looked at the stats, but his tee to green must suck.

He is lucky he is not further down, if that birdie putt wouldn't have lipped it would have been 10' past. And now he has like an 8 footer to save par when the horn sounded. This delay is the best thing that could have happened to him.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Chris E

22 putts in the first round, and yet only shot -3? -2 in the second round with only 26 putts, including a 3 putt on 18? I haven't been able to watch much of those rounds and haven't looked at the stats, but his tee to green must suck.

It didn't. He missed the greens in the right spots, and often putted from off the green. He made a few mistakes but no more or less than most of the other players near the top of the leaderboard.

Tiger needs to shoot -4 in the last 10 holes of round 3 to have a chance. It ain't happenin'.

Live chat is going online in a few minutes.

http://thesandtrap.com/b/pga/2012_pga_championship_final_round_chat

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by iacas

It didn't. He missed the greens in the right spots, and often putted from off the green. He made a few mistakes but no more or less than most of the other players near the top of the leaderboard.

Tiger needs to shoot -4 in the last 10 holes of round 3 to have a chance. It ain't happenin'.

Live chat is going online in a few minutes.

http://thesandtrap.com/b/pga/2012_pga_championship_final_round_chat

Well, I just woke up here on the west coast, and it appears he was -3 on the last 10 before bogeying the 17th.

Still, IF (IF IF) we operate under the likely scenario that the 54 hole leader rarely wins a major, then as I type this Tiger Woods is only 2 strokes off the pace of the lowest possible winning score.  Yes, I know that is some weird logic, but while confusing, it does make sense.  The only question then is, are we going to see the McIlroy of the 2011 Masters, or the 2011 US Open.

[Chris E]

Originally Posted by iacas

It didn't. He missed the greens in the right spots, and often putted from off the green. He made a few mistakes but no more or less than most of the other players near the top of the leaderboard.

Tiger needs to shoot -4 in the last 10 holes of round 3 to have a chance. It ain't happenin'.

Thanks for confirming my assumptions about his poor tee-geen play. What do they say about dogs that chase cars and pros that putt for pars?

He made a bunch of long putts that saved his rounds. Putting typically he would have been over par. My only point is that his insane putting covered up how poorly he really was playing. Now that his putting has cracked he is going backwards.

No -4 in round 3, though who knows if he is out of it. Rory is playing crazy right now and I would not be surprised if he doesn't keep it today.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

Still, IF (IF IF) we operate under the likely scenario that the 54 hole leader rarely wins a major, then as I type this Tiger Woods is only 2 strokes off the pace of the lowest possible winning score.  Yes, I know that is some weird logic, but while confusing, it does make sense.  The only question then is, are we going to see the McIlroy of the 2011 Masters, or the 2011 US Open.

The latter, I believe. Softer course, little wind.

[colin007]

Concerning his putts in the first 2 rounds, remember, if he's an inch off the green and putts on and then putts again it only counts as a one putt.

[iacas]

We're on: http://thesandtrap.com/b/pga/2012_pga_championship_final_round_chat

[k-troop]

One of two things will happen today.  Either Tiger will get his first come-from-behind win in a major, or Rory will break the 3-year streak of different major winners.  Since each of the 3 majors this year were captured on Sunday by someone coming from well behind, I think Tiger has as good a chance as anyone.

[iacas]

Poulter -5 through 5 doesn't make me happy. Anyone but him. I'd even take the Swedish Meatball over him.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by iacas

Poulter -5 through 5 doesn't make me happy. Anyone but him. I'd even take the Swedish Meatball over him.

Eric.....you have to learn the art of forgiveness!

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by k-troop

I think Tiger has as good a chance as anyone.

One would think so, given that he is Tiger Woods.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Eric.....you have to learn the art of forgiveness!

I forgave him. Doesn't mean I have to root for him. :)

[utztech]

I just had a horrible thought when considering Tigers performance in majors the last few years. What if Tiger is the next iteration of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood. The top rank player in the world who is always solid but can't get it done in the in majors?

[tiger187126]

Originally Posted by utztech

I just had a horrible thought when considering Tigers performance in majors the last few years. What if Tiger is the next iteration of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood. The top rank player in the world who is always solid but can't get it done in the in majors?

i think losing his intimidation factor was a huge deal. no longer can he stare people down on the greens or give off that unbeatable vibe that he used to exude.  they replayed the final round with the Y.E. Yang pairing and you just saw a guy that ignored it all, played his game, and beat tiger. i think other players took a lot away from that and then came all of the off the course mess and injuries and he never really got back to where you feel helpless if he has a lead.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by iacas

I forgave him. Doesn't mean I have to root for him. :)

More than fair enough.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by tiger187126

i think losing his intimidation factor was a huge deal. no longer can he stare people down on the greens or give off that unbeatable vibe that he used to exude.  they replayed the final round with the Y.E. Yang pairing and you just saw a guy that ignored it all, played his game, and beat tiger. i think other players took a lot away from that and then came all of the off the course mess and injuries and he never really got back to where you feel helpless if he has a lead.

I don't think that has much to do with it.

I think when you're T8 to start the final round (or whatever) you can't really do that, that's all. Put him in the lead by 3 after 54 and he'll probably get credit for "staring people" down again. But that might never happen again - who knows?

[utztech]

Originally Posted by tiger187126

i think losing his intimidation factor was a huge deal. no longer can he stare people down on the greens or give off that unbeatable vibe that he used to exude.  they replayed the final round with the Y.E. Yang pairing and you just saw a guy that ignored it all, played his game, and beat tiger. i think other players took a lot away from that and then came all of the off the course mess and injuries and he never really got back to where you feel helpless if he has a lead.

I actually thought of the comparison because I think with Donald and Westwood at this point it is all mental.  They are beating themselves because they have played at a high level for so long and been number 1 in the world and had close calls in majors.  So the expectation is huge and it defeats them.  Tiger seems to be in the same spot, where he can win 50 more tournaments, but his 2nd career, if you will, means nothing without that major.  So I just wondered if he is becoming a 'major' head case like the other two.

[colin007]

The only consolation i can take from Rory winning is that that hideous leprechaun is uglier than a bag of smashed asssholes...