Remember when people said Tiger would never win again?

[chriskzoo]

I find it equally hilarious that people think he will never win a major again.  Just as he had to grind to get back on track to just win, he has a hurdle to overcome to win his first major in 5 years.  Sure, guys can bag on him for not winning a major yet, but he's won 2 WGCs and the Players this year alone (oh yeah, and 2 other tourneys) with fields every bit as strong as any major.  Does wanting it too bad probably hurt him?  Yeah.  Will he never win another major?  Laughable.  And when he does win one, chances are he'll probably roll off something like 3 of the next 7.

Think about this: Tiger has won as many times in the last 8 months (5 times), as the following have in their career:

• Luke Donald
• Justin Rose
• Hunter Mahan
• Tom Lehman
• Padraig Harrington

[Mulligan Jeff]

You got it Chriskzoo the next major Tiger wins will be his most difficult (already has) but after he captures it he will get another and another in a short time frame. Watch out Jack there's a Tiger after you!

[Righty to Lefty]

I agree that once he gets his next major victory that he will go on a run.  He just looks so in control of what he is doing and I don't think that he will have any more major injuries because his swing doesn't look like it taxes his body as much as it used to.

[grubby98]

I could see that happening easily. Just think about the bad bounce he got at the Master's. It seems like every major this year he has that one bad round or bad bounce. But now that he is getting back to winning again at a high rate I could see him having a year were he gets 2 or 3 majors and then win one a year here on out for a few years at courses he loves.

[Zeph]

I think it's a mental thing with the majors, but if he win one, it could give him a confidence boost to contend for the upcoming majors.

[rkim291968]

He has nothing to prove in golf and still came back to win 5 times in a season (not over yet) after going 0 for a few years.   I have not seen too many players in any sport do that.   The only thing I can compare to is Michael Jordan's comeback after his retirement and averaging 20+ points a game (at age 38!).   They are simply amazing.

( don't like either one as a person but that's beside the point )

[mchepp]

I think a few people thought he would never win a major again, but I think only a few fringe haters thought he would never win again. We will certainly find out this week if the problem in majors is mental. He is playing as good as ever. If he is in contention, which is almost a guarantee, and fades again there is something mental there. Makes watching the PGA very exciting. Not sure I would say that every year.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by grubby98

I could see that happening easily. Just think about the bad bounce he got at the Master's. It seems like every major this year he has that one bad round or bad bounce. But now that he is getting back to winning again at a high rate I could see him having a year were he gets 2 or 3 majors and then win one a year here on out for a few years at courses he loves.

I think the key will be him having an outstanding round, rather than avoiding the weak round.

[tmac20]

I think the key will be him having an outstanding round, rather than avoiding the weak round.

Exactly. Tiger plays "not to lose" instead of playing to win in majors.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by chriskzoo

I find it equally hilarious that people think he will never win a major again.  Just as he had to grind to get back on track to just win, he has a hurdle to overcome to win his first major in 5 years.  Sure, guys can bag on him for not winning a major yet, but he's won 2 WGCs and the Players this year alone (oh yeah, and 2 other tourneys) with fields every bit as strong as any major.  Does wanting it too bad probably hurt him?  Yeah.  Will he never win another major?  Laughable.  And when he does win one, chances are he'll probably roll off something like 3 of the next 7.

Think about this: Tiger has won as many times in the last 8 months (5 times), as the following have in their career:

Luke Donald

Justin Rose

Hunter Mahan

Tom Lehman

Padraig Harrington

Wow.  I had to look this up - in regards to Tom Lehman - because that just didn't seem right.  But, alas, you are 100% correct.  Really does put in perspective (at least for the unbiased) what Tiger's doing this year.

Just checked  and he's only teed it up 12 times this year.  (Tavistock Cup doesn't count)  And in 12 starts, he's won 5 flippin' times!  Unbelievable.

I would also agree with you and not be surprised when, after he "remembers" how to win a major (probably in about 6 days) he's going to rattle off a bunch more.

[jamo]

Wow.  I had to look this up - in regards to Tom Lehman - because that just didn't seem right.  But, alas, you are 100% correct.  Really does put in perspective (at least for the unbiased) what Tiger's doing this year. Just checked  and he's only teed it up 12 times this year.  (Tavistock Cup doesn't count)  And in 12 starts, he's won 5 flippin' times!  Unbelievable. I would also agree with you and not be surprised when, after he "remembers" how to win a major (probably in about 6 days) he's going to rattle off a bunch more.

I've said for a while that I think if he gets to 15 he'll get to 19. The getting to 15 part is looking less and less likely by the month, though. [quote name="mchepp" url="/t/69017/remember-when-people-said-tiger-would-never-win-again#post_878463"]I think a few people thought he would never win a major again, but I think only a few fringe haters thought he would never win again. We will certainly find out this week if the problem in majors is mental. He is playing as good as ever. If he is in contention, which is almost a guarantee, and fades again there is something mental there. Makes watching the PGA very exciting. Not sure I would say that every year.[/quote] I haven't gone back and searched for the threads, but IIRC we had plenty of posters who thought he'd just be a middling Tour pro the rest of his career. Guys at 54th in the world don't win all that many tournaments, after all.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by jamo

I haven't gone back and searched for the threads, but IIRC we had plenty of posters who thought he'd just be a middling Tour pro the rest of his career. Guys at 54th in the world don't win all that many tournaments, after all.

I won't lie ... I'm rooting for him to win the PGA (perferably at -3 ;)) and then play well (but not win!) the rest of the year for one reason, and one reason only. ... Here is me from 11 months ago:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/62054/bet-on-2013-tiger-vs-rory/0_30#post_768076

[nevets88]

For extra incentive, Vonn should threaten to kick his ass if he doesn't win the PGA.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by Zeph

I think it's a mental thing with the majors, but if he win one, it could give him a confidence boost to contend for the upcoming majors.

I doubt that a lack of confidence has ever been Tiger's issue.

[tomvk77]

We all know what he is saying about it.

I've been in contention for a couple off majors

you just can't win them all. I just have to keep

putting me in that position at sunday and i will get

a few more. if he's not winning this year he will do so next year.

and that target from the big bear is going to be crushed also.

and sam sneads record also. might be this year.

[chriskzoo]

It might also be helpful to look at Tiger's performance in the majors since his last win:

17 starts - 9 Top 10's.

Even working through his new swing mechanics, it's not like the guy was finishing in the bottom of the field (despite 2 missed cuts).  It's unbelievable what a high standard Tiger has been held to that the guy could win 5 times in a year and people say it doesn't really matter (Jim Rome says it before every major).

Consider this: Tiger is 38.  Phil has won 2 majors since he turned 38 (and didn't win one until he was 34) and doesn't have nearly the game or body Tiger does to make a run into his 50's.  I know Tiger has said in the past he will stop competing when he thinks he doesn't have a chance to win, but you know he wants to have every record of note - most wins, most majors, and will probably grind until he's 65 to be the oldest major winner.

[boogielicious]

What I have noticed is Tiger has made mental mistakes that cost him the chances to win in Majors this year.  Trying 3W over the fairway bunkers at Murfield that went in instead.  Or at the US Open, missing easy chips.  In his wins this year, he rarely made a mental mistake.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by chriskzoo

It might also be helpful to look at Tiger's performance in the majors since his last win:

17 starts - 9 Top 10's.

Even working through his new swing mechanics, it's not like the guy was finishing in the bottom of the field (despite 2 missed cuts).  It's unbelievable what a high standard Tiger has been held to that the guy could win 5 times in a year and people say it doesn't really matter (Jim Rome says it before every major).

Consider this: Tiger is 38.  Phil has won 2 majors since he turned 38 (and didn't win one until he was 34) and doesn't have nearly the game or body Tiger does to make a run into his 50's.  I know Tiger has said in the past he will stop competing when he thinks he doesn't have a chance to win, but you know he wants to have every record of note - most wins, most majors, and will probably grind until he's 65 to be the oldest major winner.

If/when he gets to 19 I think the next goal would be to have won each major more times than anyone else has.  That would be 5 US Opens, 6 PGAs, 7 British Opens, and 7 Masters.  And, of course, 100 tour victories and the most victories on the Eurotour for good measure.