2013 WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral Discussion Thread

[Beachcomber]

Steve Stricker.  I really liked him before today... But gained even more respect for him with how he handled the post round interview. You could sense an enny teeny weeny bit of regret about the now infamous 'putting lesson' he provided Tiger... But he still said all the right things and was nothing but congenial about Tigers success and the positive impact it has on the Tour.

I hope any of the youngsters watching today caught that interview, and understand what its like to be a stand-up act, even in defeat.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by iacas

I disagree. :)

And have 80+ pieces of evidence...

You know, it's interesting this comes up.  After he tee'd off on 18, but before he holed out, I found myself saying that eventually Tiger will have an epic meltdown.  It may not be until he's 45, but I believe the odds say it has to happen eventually.  Mind you, I have 100% confidence today would not be that day.  I just think it has to happen eventually, and it will probably be a surreal moment when it does.  Even more so than when it happens to mere mortals like Van De Velde.

[Chas]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

I thought Tiger's round was pretty impressive when you consider he didn't drive it well.

Maybe.  But that doesn't explain why he was acting surprised and relieved on 18 when Tiger hit 1 stinking draw with a 9 iron.  He acted like the mystery had been solved.

That is funny.  I was thinking of our little discussion when he hit that draw.

But it was with an iron, not driver .....

[Chas]

Originally Posted by meenman

it must be the anchoring

lol

Tim missed a really short one with the broomstick today, truly ugly - he must have felt like flying away on the darned thing ....

[Old1964]

Stricker = awesome individual.

Thinking Woods might want to cut him a check for the successful putting pointers. Anyone know what specific advice Stricker gave him?  Missed all the discussion about that as I had to work.

[KrazyTrain18]

Stricker is a great guy to have on tour, truely a great story.  And a great week for Tiger.

[D-Man]

Originally Posted by Old1964

Stricker = awesome individual.

Thinking Woods might want to cut him a check for the successful putting pointers. Anyone know what specific advice Stricker gave him?  Missed all the discussion about that as I had to work.

His putting stance was a bit open, causing his putter to go off the target line.  Stricker got him to square up his stance, which allowed the putter to stay on the target line longer.  There could be a bit more to it, that's all I heard though.

[bjfox10]

Originally Posted by D-Man

His putting stance was a bit open, causing his putter to go off the target line.  Stricker got him to square up his stance, which allowed the putter to stay on the target line longer.  There could be a bit more to it, that's all I heard though.

It was also reported that he weaked his left hand grip. Allowing the putter to release.

[TourSpoon]

Sticks helped Tiger get his flow back. He is a class act and was a contributing factor to Tiger's romp at Doral.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

I disagree. :)

And have 80+ pieces of evidence...

You know, it's interesting this comes up.  After he tee'd off on 18, but before he holed out, I found myself saying that eventually Tiger will have an epic meltdown.  It may not be until he's 45, but I believe the odds say it has to happen eventually.  Mind you, I have 100% confidence today would not be that day.  I just think it has to happen eventually, and it will probably be a surreal moment when it does.  Even more so than when it happens to mere mortals like Van De Velde.

I'll take that wager.  Tiger isn't stupid.  Van de Velde was an idiot in what he did in his meltdown.  Several straight shots he just made bad decisions - mistakes that most bogey golfers wouldn't make.  I guarantee you that I would have made a better score on that hole than he did.   If there is one thing Tiger doesn't do it's make bad decisions.

[rehmwa]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Steve Stricker. .......You could sense an enny teeny weeny bit of regret about the now infamous 'putting lesson' he provided Tiger...

SS = class act (that's my impression anyway)

IMHO - I read the reply in a different way - I did NOT get any regret at all from the interview.  What I got was a bit of hesitation from a pretty obnoxious interview question and he took a beat to give a good answer that wouldn't bury him in public opinion.  If he spoke without thinking then there are obnoxious fans, press, and even forum sites that will make an unfair and wearinging opinionated stink (think Phil, think Rory).  Answer wrong, and he could have come across as resentful or selfish or petty, or claiming credit for Tiger's effort, or any number of other reads that people will unfairly run with just because that's what some do.  Take a second, and tell the truth clearly, and not off the cuff, and he gives a clean response that still gives credit where credit was due.

I think there's a large group of these guys that all are happy to help each other out and don't really think much about it. And they'd rather beat Tiger on Tiger's good day than just step on him on a bad day.

I think it might even have been a bit embarrassing to get that question when the interview could have been about his excellent performance.  Instead, the reporter turns a good opportunity to interview Steve, into just getting Steve to comment on Tiger.  It was a crappy interview question with the same depth as "how do feel about (whatever)" questions.

[Mr. Desmond]

Stricker = awesome individual. Thinking Woods might want to cut him a check for the successful putting pointers. Anyone know what specific advice Stricker gave him?  Missed all the discussion about that as I had to work.

I heard it was relatively simple. Tiger was narrowing his arc after the ball. Steve advised him to try a wider arc

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old1964

Stricker = awesome individual.

Thinking Woods might want to cut him a check for the successful putting pointers. Anyone know what specific advice Stricker gave him?  Missed all the discussion about that as I had to work.

I heard it was relatively simple. Tiger was narrowing his arc after the ball. Steve advised him to try a wider arc

Interesting.  Part of my thought process in putting is to feel as if the putter is chasing the ball down the line after contact.  Sounds like a very similar kind of advice.  Maybe I should become a putting coach.

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Interesting.  Part of my thought process in putting is to feel as if the putter is chasing the ball down the line after contact.  Sounds like a very similar kind of advice.  Maybe I should become a putting coach.

Putting lessons from a person with the nickname Fourputt?  Hmmm...........

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I heard it was relatively simple. Tiger was narrowing his arc after the ball. Steve advised him to try a wider arc

[k-troop]

Tiger getting closer.  I predict he takes #1 at the end of Magnolia Lane (not because I've done any math or analysis, but just because it would make for a good story).

Rank Player Avg Pts.

1. McIlroy 11.47

2. Woods 10.48

3. Donald 7.08

4. Snedeker 6.56

5. Rose 6.53

6. Oosthuizen 6.23

7. Scott 6.00

8. Stricker 5.93

9. Kuchar 5.44

10. Mickelson 5.41

[Mr. Desmond]

Interesting.  Part of my thought process in putting is to feel as if the putter is chasing the ball down the line after contact.  Sounds like a very similar kind of advice.  Maybe I should become a putting coach.

Well, chasing the ball can get forced. I like to think keep it wide yet natural

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I heard it was relatively simple. Tiger was narrowing his arc after the ball. Steve advised him to try a wider arc

Here is the best analysis I've read on what Stricker worked with Tiger on:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1561682-tiger-woods-can-reach-no-1-ranking-with-win-at-palmers-bay-hill

"His big swing gets into his setup of his putting stroke," Stricker said about Woods' putting. "He's been chipping a lot, so he gets way to the left and his grip was on a little strong and he was kind of dropping it back and under and then trying to save it and turn it over. It was just a couple little things there. And he actually had his hands behind the ball."

Stricker said he tried to get him into a different set up so that Woods could accelerate down and through the putting line.