Phil Comments on Tiger's Idiosyncrasies

[Madriver]

...anyone else find this interesting?

Q. Funny how that works out. PHIL MICKELSON: Yeah, anyway, but I enjoy it. This was actually a really interesting day because I've been working with Butch Harmon, as you know, and in the past I haven't really played that well with Tiger per se. But he told me a couple things that he likes to do, and I kind of was watching for it, and I chuckled throughout the round when I'd pick up on it. And it was just -- I think that working with Butch has really helped me understand how to get my best golf when I play in the same group as Tiger, and I'm hoping I have a chance to do that on Monday. Q. Anything you can tell us, the things you look for? PHIL MICKELSON: Oh, no, I'm not about to tell you. I'm not even going to go there. But just a couple things that have been very interesting, and certainly the stories have been great (laughter). But just a few things to watch for. And it's really helped because I find myself chuckling at it now and played much more relaxed and had a good time today. Q. Kind of demystified the guy for you? PHIL MICKELSON: I wouldn't say that. That's all I'd really care to go for. I'm sharing with you a little piece and you keep asking for more.

...I thought it was gamesmanship...but what do you think?

[spyderwerks]

I think it may just be Phil's way of saying that the intimidation 'tactics' that some players may use during a round, maybe don't have the effect they should have once you know the inside secrects of the tactics.

Many times once you break through an oponents mind games, and maybe come up with a little counteraction, you've established a good foundation for defeating that oponent.

[TheNextBen]

That is very interesting indeed. And it totally makes sense when you look at how he is playing today.

[iacas]

That is very interesting indeed. And it totally makes sense when you look at how he is playing today.

I don't think that has much to do with it. He played with him the other days and they both shot 64 the second round.

I also don't think Tiger's "games" anyone. He has more than just one opponent. If Phil isn't totally making it up, it's probably just silly things like "Tiger always scratches his butt on putts outside of 10 feet before taking his stance" or whatever. Superstitions... stuff like that.

[Madriver]

so iacas...why the heavy handed thread editing?

[iacas]

so iacas...why the heavy handed thread editing?

I changed exactly one thing: the thread's subject. Why? To make it apply more. "Phils comments at the Fed Ex.... " doesn't even make sense - he made comments at the Deutsche Bank, not "the Fed Ex".

[laconic517]

maybe its that, or who knows maybe it could be something tiger does to help him keep it together on every shot while playing with the large crowds

[Madriver]

I changed exactly one thing: the thread's subject. Why? To make it apply more. "Phils comments at the Fed Ex.... " doesn't even make sense - he made comments at the Deutsche Bank, not "the Fed Ex".

you're such a tool....editing threads and posts is really lame.....if you don't like me or my posts just say so....but changing my words is lame...flat out lame....

[You're Away]

Madriver, that was a brilliant reply...no wait....it was really lame!

[TheNextBen]

I don't think that has much to do with it. He played with him the other days and they both shot 64 the second round.

As I understand it he spoke to Butch before the event and that's why he played his best golf in the first two days and on the final day. I don't know if you are misunderstanding me or if I'm misunderstanding you. But I don't think anything of this affects Tigers game, only Phils.

[Madriver]

Madriver, that was a brilliant reply...no wait....it was really lame!

...yawn....how long have you an icacas been dating?

[iacas]

...yawn....how long have you an icacas been dating?

Removing Madriver from the banned list was apparently a mistake. One that's been corrected.

As I understand it he spoke to Butch before the event and that's why he played his best golf in the first two days and on the final day. I don't know if you are misunderstanding me or if I'm misunderstanding you. But I don't think anything of this affects Tigers game, only Phils.

Yeah, he gave him the tip before the first round, but I don't know if Phil's opening 70 is really indicative of much. And the second day, the whole group went low.

I was more responding to Spyderwerks' comments, really:

I think it may just be Phil's way of saying that the intimidation 'tactics' that some players may use during a round, maybe don't have the effect they should have once you know the inside secrects of the tactics.

That implies that Tiger uses "tactics" to intimidate people, leading me to say that I don't think Tiger "games" anyone. As in uses tactics or gamesmanship.

[J_Bone]

With Tiger, I think it had more to do with momentum and controlling the crowd to put pressure on the guy who follows him. Phil now see these and realizes what Tiger is doing and can not get frustrated, but know it and move on and/or take the control himself and putt in first before Tiger and then not have to worry about the crowd and pressure.
Maybe he does scratch his butt or pick a wedgie to take longer and freeze up the guy to follow. Which is good to know it than to get frustrated at it.

my 2 cents

[J_Bone]

so iacas...why the heavy handed thread editing?

Wow, who cares. Relax...

[Big Lex]

That implies that Tiger uses "tactics" to intimidate people, leading me to say that I don't think Tiger "games" anyone. As in uses tactics or gamesmanship.

I don't know precisely how to define "gamesmanship." If it's things often attributed to Seve like moving a little when someone else is about to take it back, jingling change, making a questionable rules assertion, etc., I'd agree I don't think Tiger does any of that.

But I read somewhere that - in situations where he has one opponent, like a match, or a major where it's down to just him and his co-competitor for the day - he does pay attention to his opponent and tries to use subtle things to get an advantage. The thing mentioned was pace of play, where if Tiger is with someone who likes to play fast, he will slow down his own game to try to unnerve the opponent. Not sure if this is true. And maybe it isn't defined as gamesmanship. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if he does it. Tiger impresses me as without a doubt the most aggressively competitive golfer on Tour, by a wide margin. It wouldn't suprise me at all if he used many "tactics," when appropriate, to win. Of course, I'm sure his golf is enough 99% of the time.

[iacas]

Turns out it

was nothing much :

Specifically, Harmon told Mickelson to note how Tiger slows down his central nervous system simply by walking more slowly in the heat of battle. Harmon told Phil to watch how Woods putts out when he has the opportunity rather than wait around and let his opponent finish.

[Daryl]

Not like it matters. It's easier to get into Fort Knox than into Tiger's head.