Woods Tries to Put Aside Family Worries

[mberube]

This probably explains his less then dominant play for the past two years!

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.a...1&select=14192

[broken27]

I'm sure it sucks to have to worry about stuff like this, but you can't make excuses for Tiger. He mentioned that this situation was also present in 96-97, so clearly his father's unfortunate relapse is not the driving force behind Tiger's slump. Or, at least let Tiger say that his concern for his father's health is his excuse.

Dan

[Farzin]

"Although he has won just once this year, he's finished in the top 10 in seven of his last nine tournaments -- five times in the top five -- and he's still fourth on the money list with more than $4.1 million in earnings this year. "
What a Slump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But no worries, He Is Back.

[Colby]

"Although he has won just once this year, he's finished in the top 10 in seven of his last nine tournaments -- five times in the top five -- and he's still fourth on the money list with more than $4.1 million in earnings this year. "
What a Slump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But no worries, He Is Back.

He's making money but he is not back.

Here are the scoring averages from 1999 to today. It is sorted on today's 5 leaders.

200420032002200120001999Phil69.3370.6469.7169.1669.3571.06Vijah69.5769.1169.7669.3470.3270.66Retief69.8169.7370.13N/AN/AN/AErnie69.8869.9070.2770.5069.9071.08Tiger69.9269.3869.0068.8768.1769.56



In 1999, Tiger was the only golfer to have a scoring average below 70. The next two years, he beat the crap out of everyone, with scoring averages less than 69, and in 2000, he was close to the 68 mark. In all of the years that the PGA has on their website, 1980-2004, Tiger is the only golfer to break the 69 barrier for average scoring. In fact in a lot of years, nobody was below 70. There was a good run in the early 90s, 92-95, that there were a number of people between 69 and 70 with Couples and Norman leading the way.

Since Tiger joined in 1997, and came first in scoring average with a 69.75, he has been under 70 except for 1998 when he was 70.10.

You could try to argue that the quality of golf is getting better, because more golfers are scoring below 70 for an average, but there was that stretch in the 90's when there were lots of people doing it too.

So from looking at this, it would appear that Tiger has come back to the pack, not that the pack has caught him. Whether he shows the endurance of a Lance Armstrong to pull himself back to the forefront will be an interesting watch in the next few years.

And Farzin, the slump is still on until he plays back to form, and wins tournaments and majors. His year this year looks a lot like Phil's for a lot of years. Wins a tournament, finishes well in a bunch more, makes lots of money. A lot of golfers do that year in year out. What is keeping Tiger in contention is that he is first in putting and second in birdie average. But he is 30th in round three scoring average and 11th in final round scoring average.

Just a more scientific look at where Tiger is at.

[Farzin]

He has creped his way to the top of the leader board today and he is hitting fairways, I say He Is Back.

[Colby]

He has creped his way to the top of the leader board today and he is hitting fairways, I say He Is Back.

Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every so often

[broken27]

He has creped his way to the top of the leader board today and he is hitting fairways, I say He Is Back.

That's funny, the leaderboard I looked at had Singh on top by a stroke and he was still on the course. Tiger was in a tie for second with such traditional powerhouses as Bill Haas and John Rollins.

I agree with you though Farzin. He Is Back.... By a stroke.

Dan

[Farzin]

Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every so often

Seems like the blind squirrel has found more nuts more often than the others. I wonder who the the blind is.

[golfmania]

Go Tiger Go

[Andru]

I'm sure it sucks to have to worry about stuff like this, but you can't make excuses for Tiger. He mentioned that this situation was also present in 96-97, so clearly his father's unfortunate relapse is not the driving force behind Tiger's slump. Or, at least let Tiger say that his concern for his father's health is his excuse.

Dan

Man you are ruthless.

[Colby]

Seems like the blind squirrel has found more nuts more often than the others. I wonder who the the blind is.

A few nuts short...