ode

Agree. But then again - the competitive older guys aren't needing to go to Q-school. Strick played a very abbreviated schedule the last few years leading up to his Champions Tour eligibility, yet remained competitive.

The change wasn't designed to weed out guys like Steve Stricker, who still had game, and still has game. It was designed to weed out the one-hit wonders who'd made a living making well over half a million per year just simply making the weekends.

Strick could still easily gain his tour card next season if he wanted. He'd have to play a few more events, perhaps, but he's still competitive.

When was the last time Freddie Couples won a PGA Tour event?

Anybody?

The 2003 Shell Houston Open.

I love Freddie as much as the next guy because of his laid-back style, but I was in my early 30's when he last won on the young guys tour.

I think the changes they made have worked out very well.

  • ode likes this.

    ZWExton Back to the main point, why are you admittedly double asshole (your words, I don't necessarily agree!) on the internet? Why is anyone?
    Because, if I feel like disagreeing with you, you can't withhold sexual relations as a form of punishment. (Not that you'd interest me in the least.)

      It looks like Bellreve does not set up well for TW, most all 4 and 5 pars are dogs left. Does TW even make the cut? I'm saying he struggles to do so.

      We (all, perhaps) are asking a lot out of this guy named Tiger. He's just not going to return to that guy from 'back then'; imo, he cannot! We all think he stunk up the course this weekend, but did he? Compare his results with the others that are mentioned as being his 'successors'. How did they fare yesterday, as he was showing us he is indeed, human? A lot of players of caliber were making big moves, but at the end of Sunday,(& Saturday), they played no better than he did. Do we expect that of them, but not him? Ranked around #50 in the world, and they are all ranked higher. Much bigger surprises were the way Rory and Jason shit themselves(playing very similar to/worse than Tiger) when they both should have been rolling over Justin. DJ was the only one making any fireworks, and he crapped himself on the back 9; playing 'no bogey golf' instead of 'no holds barred golf'! TW played like a zombie right out of the gate Sat. and carried it over on Sunday.

      imo, he is back. As a fairly good player named Tiger Woods, 2018 version. Played several tournaments, done well in quite a few. He'll do fine. Remember, he's got a new putter and stance. He's been changing driver shafts around. Different swing. Different ball(maybe). etc.

      Ya gotta feel like you know this guy....he just hasn't made any posts here yet. Plays good. Plays bad. And apparently, has turned into the richest ho imagined. 😉

        Tiger's current niche is playing two good rounds the first two days and then struggling when he sees players in the fast lane passing him by. I'm guessing he feels he needs to go bonkers on the weekend to stay in contention, but that strategy hasn't worked thus far.

        Maybe it's much too early to expect that level of improved play under pressure from him at this point, or perhaps he simply no longer has the ability to tap into that extra gear.

        I no longer compare him to his prior self 12-15 years ago. I compare him to the guys playing today. I don't anticipate him running the tables and winning back-to-back events anymore. Doesn't mean he can't have a great week, but there is no fear of Tiger Woods in the hunt on Sunday these days in these young guns. He no longer has that intimidating factor going for him, these guys today aren't looking over their shoulder to see where Tiger is.

        And until he wins something, anything, that's not gonna change. And even if he does win something - not sure it changes anything.

        I think there's just a few parts of Tiger's game that aren't back yet and it's putting too much pressure on the parts that are working over the course of four rounds. If he is able to practice with some frequency over the next few months I think he'll get better. That's a big if, but all indications right now seem to point to him getting better in the short run.

          johnnydoom

          I think the big IF revolves around him not re-injuring his back. He's had so many back operations that I've lost count. It's like 4, right?

          I don't think he'll return to the game if he has another setback. I don't think he will be physically capable to compete again if it happens.

              PA-PLAYA I agree. Another back surgery probably signals the end. I really think he needs to use more time practicing and less time competing right now so that he can work on the areas that are troubling him and not on what's needed for the specific course in front of him. I think he would except that he has an obligation to the sponsors that signed on for the comeback or that have stayed with him and he wants to get their brands out in front of the cameras. I don't know what his schedule is after the PGA, but I think if there are significant breaks prior to the Masters it will do his game some good.

                  johnnydoom

                  If memory serves, he typically shut things down from November onward, outside of competing in Dubai in January.... he'd usually play at Torrey Pines in Feb, then wouldn't play again until the Florida swing, since the Masters is roughly a month later. Or I seem to recall anyway.

                  He'll have plenty of time to rest and practice once the Ryder Cup is over. I do think Furyk will pick him. I know Furyk said last week that they'd treat him like everyone else, but that's just lip service. The PGA (in both Europe and the US) want him there if he's physically capable of playing, for obvious reasons.

                  I would be shocked if Furyk leaves him off the team, I'll put it that way.

                      PA-PLAYA I can't really imagine Tiger not getting a captain's pick. No matter what his off the course issues were, he's the greatest active player and is still playing at a high level. I think it would be better for him if he didn't, but it's a situation that would be a bad look if the invitation is not extended, or if it is not accepted (unless he can get a note from his doctor).

                          johnnydoom

                          He needs to play better than he did at Firestone to get the pick. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion. Furyk will take heavy criticism if Tiger limps in and gets a Capt pick and lays flat in France. Hopefully Furyk has the stones to pick someone else if Tiger isn't playing good enough leading into pick day. And I hope he tells Tiger so!

                              ode If Furyk bypasses who is arguably the 2nd best golfer in history to give someone else a captain's pick he either has monster stones, hates Tiger, or isn't very bright. Tiger doesn't have a good Ryder cup record and isn't near the top for qualifying, but if his entire body of work up to now isn't good enough then all I can say is whoever Furyk picks in his place better be the hero of the competition.

                                  johnnydoom

                                  Obviously the PGA this weekend and the playoffs will sway those currently on the fence. When you look at the players ranked 9th thru 12th, you currently have:

                                  9th: DeChambeau
                                  10th: Mickelson
                                  11th: Schaufelle
                                  12th: Kuchar

                                  Other notables:

                                  13th: Finau
                                  14th: Stanley
                                  15th: Kisner
                                  16th: Brian Harmon
                                  17th: Na
                                  18th: Wise (granted - I've not followed the tour much this year, but still... never heard of him!)
                                  19th: Zach Johnson
                                  20th Tiger Woods

                                  So you've got 4 picks. Let's assume that the Ryder Cup was next week. Who would your 4 captains picks be? Not an easy decision.

                                      PA-PLAYA It's certainly not easy, but I would pick Tiger, Phil, DeChambeau, and Schaufelle. Tiger and Phil for being two all-time greats that can still complete, DeChambeau and Schaufelle due to the position they currently hold. I would not be happy to have to pick DeChambeau right now, but would do it because of where he's at.

                                          johnnydoom

                                          Although I think he'll get picked for interest/revenue-generating reasons, it shouldn't be based exclusively on his overall body of work. He undoubtedly is the 2nd greatest player of all-time. But if we're talking about finding four players who're playing the best golf currently, who gives your team the absolute best odds of winning - he currently doesn't meet that criteria, not based on his season vs the others ahead of him.

                                          Now who knows... if he plays well this week, finishes top-25, perhaps top-10.... that could muddy the waters a bit. If he has a good run in the playoffs and advances beyond the first round... he's showing progress.

                                          Furyk will be under a lot of pressure to pick him, they're good friends, played a lot of Ryder Cups together as playing partners.

                                          Not saying he's earned his way onto the team, but I'll eat my sweaty golf cap if Furyk doesn't pick him.

                                              I don't know what Bellerive is like today, but looking at the past champions it doesn't seem like it'll be Tiger's kind of course. But maybe he can fit his game to it - who knows. I've never seen Captain's picks treated as a
                                              "what have you done lately" when there are great players in the mix. Usually a big name trumps a good year unless the big name has reached has been status.

                                              johnnydoom

                                              I have so many golf hats that it would be hard to choose which is the most tasty. lol

                                              probably the one I haven't worn yet, undoubtedly

                                                Bryson, imo, is the guy to watch... how he carries himself this week, and into the playoffs. I don't want to write him off completely, but the last thing a captain wants is a guy who so easily gets down on himself and implodes. He's more than earned his way on the team based on results. But based on his attitude and mental tendency as of late to succumb to frustration when he hits more than 2-3 bad shots in a row is very much concerning.

                                                It's a stressful environment that has neutralized many players better than him over the years. Still not sure I would pick him.

                                                My four picks would be: Schaufelle, Mickelson, Finau, and Kisner. Kisner played well in the matchplay format. A streaky player for sure, but has performed reasonably well in high-stake events against the stronger fields.

                                                But a lot can change over the next month.

                                                Am I imagining things, or does the captain now have the ability to pick his final choice after the last round of the playoffs?

                                                I honestly don't know for sure when his selections have to be picked.