Round 4: British Open
July 18 2010
12:46 pm
For Tiger, putting was the problem
By the time he finally got out of the bunker and walked off the fourth hole with a double bogey, he knew it was over.
No chance. No way. He couldn’t even think about shooting a number to pressure Louis Oosthuizen, let alone win make it a three-fer here at St. Andrews.
"I knew the start I needed to get off to,” said Woods, who closed with a 72 and finished at 3-under. "I was 2‑under through 3, and if I could somehow make 3 on 4 and somehow a birdie or an eagle on 5, that’s what could have happened, that’s what I felt like. But obviously that didn’t happen.”
Nothing much did go right for the man who had won the last two Opens played here at St. Andrews — by eight shots in 2000 and five in 2005. Oh, he played a solid opening round. Shot 67 and was four back. Putted the fool out of the ball too.
Then the speed disappeared.
He hit the ball better than he has in a long time. He was doing mostly all the right things off the tee and from the fairway.
But suddenly Woods was shoveling the ball along on the green — as in 126 putts for the week. They were wandering. Circling the lip. Sliding away. Staying out.
He went with the Nike Method the first three rounds, then broke off the relationship to go back to his old Scotty Cameron, the one he used in 13 of his 14 majors.
"Well, I feel satisfaction in the sense that I drove it on a string all week and hit my irons pretty good, but other than the first day, I did not putt well at all.” he said. "You just can’t play and expect to win golf tournaments if you have nine or ten three‑putts for a week. No one can win doing that. Got to clean that up before I tee it up again.”
He shrugged.
"It’s ironic that as soon as I start driving it on a string, I miss everything,” he said. "Maybe I should go back to spraying it all over the lot and make everything.”
Two holes pretty much summed up his final round , let alone whole week – the fourth and seventh. Both double bogeys.
"If I got something going, I would somehow find a way to stop the momentum,” he said. "That was either like I did today at 4 or making a three‑putt like I did yesterday, and I got it going, birdied 12, hit a good drive yesterday there, and then three‑putt two holes in a row. Basically that’s kind of what I did all week.”
Why did he change putters for the final round?
" I just felt that my speed was off,” he said, "and just going back to something where I know how it comes off.”
Actually, he said, his putting is way off. He wasn’t steady over long putts all week. And, he couldn’t practice putting because there was no protected area.
"I couldn’t feel anchored,” he said. "Granted, where we’re going to be playing from here on in, it’s not going to blow like this, so I won’t have that problem.”
Tiger struggled with his putter early last year, but it came around. When asked the last time he tinkered with his putting stroke, Tiger said, simply, "Never."
Yet with the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational — he’s won that six out of the last 10 years — and PGA Championship coming up (he lost a playoff to Y.E. Yang last August), he needs to get in a lot of reps in the next few weeks. As for putters? He declined to say which one was in or out of his bag.
And this Open? No, it doesn’t take the sting out to know that Oosthuizen ran away early. Nor that he’s missing another opportunity to creep closet to Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 majors.
"That’s just the way it goes,” he said ."I’m not going to win all of them. I’ve lost a lot more than I’ve won.”
– Melanie Hauser
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Who Cares????
Good to see Tiger hitting it well again…the putter will come back as well. Good luck TW.
When Tiger’s domestic problems are FINALLY settled and his mind is at ease and only then, will his came come back to what it was. I wish him the very best of luck.
AP
To foxfireridge…You ask who cares????. The answer is I do. If you don’t care, then my question to you is this. Why do you read a column that is solely about Tiger and bother to leave a comment?
I was glad to see Tiger struggle. Now everyone can see what I have known all along. There are hundreds of good golfers out there. They should be showing them and not TIGER TIGER TIGER. Louis was playing great and what do they do??? They show Tiger instead. PITY!!! Golf was awesome BEFORE there was a Tiger and is even better with Tiger struggling.
I watched greats like Payne Stewart, Jack Nicholas, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and many other greats. People did not think golf would continue to grow after they left and went to Senior Tour BUT it did.
You just wait, soon Sergio Garcia and Camillio Villegas will win a major!!!
I been watching this the whole day and I know that he has recent struggles with his new putter. Besides, I thought that he shouldn’t of switch the putter unless he had some reason. Although, if he gets his swing in shape and making better putts , he can win the last major of this year.
To Lee Ann: Sergio? He barely cares about golf right now and he admitted this. I do think that Camilo will win one. I would chime the same sentiments that chipvan 238 said. If you don’t want to know about Tiger why do read a column that is specifically written about him? Tiger is the biggest name in golf and they are going to write about him. When Sergio or Camilo win “a” major they might get some air time. Until then, there won’t be any articles written about them.
In response to Lee Ann…there is no way in h-e-double hockey sticks golf was better off before Tiger came along. TV ratings, total purses, junior golf participation numbers, attendance records, course changes, better 20-25 year old golfers worldwide, more minority golfers…those are all because of Tigers presence in the game of golf over the past 15 years.
People are sick of his on course antics and off course infedelities, but I’m sure he will do everything in his power to correct those…especially the latter. I agree less attention should be on Woods when he isn’t in contention, but that is how it has been the past 10 years…its hard to change that habit for TV networks.
the coverage of the open was fair I thought. Tiger wasn’t in contention and neither was phil. We didn’t see much of either of them for many many holes. I believe that some in the media were hoping for a Tiger comeback but his first double bogey ended that and after that happened, a lot less Tiger viewing on TV
Well i dont think they should not show Tiger when hes not in contention. I think people care to see how hes doin, the shots hes hitting. Even if hes not playing well people want to know whats going on with, and where his game is at. And they want to see when he hits good shots. I think its good that they dont show all of his shots when not in contention like they did today. The truth is golf just isnt that interesting to watch even if you love golf like me. They should always show what Tiger’s doing even if hes not in contention
I never anticipated the day that I could not watch a PGA tour event with my grandchildren (ages 6-13). However, that is now the case thanks to the foul language of Tiger Woods. After six “F— Mes”, three on an open mike (and resulting in a wimpy observation (“he’s really heated up”) by your announcers), not to mention three God D___ Its, I finally turned the Open off and sent the kids outside to pick tomatoes. It’s a very sorry commentary on the state of the game and the values of those who control it. Woods is the antithesis of a role model. He should be suspended at the very least from PGA play for a year or more. He has learned nothing from his off-course womanizing. “Why is everybody making such a big deal of this?” he asks. There is no suitable response to an alley cat lacking even minimal moral standards. But the next time he is on a televised event, I hope he will step to the first tee with a half-roll of duct ape on his filthy sewer of a mouth. Golf was once a game of gentlemen. All of the Old Tom Morris and Ghosts of the Golfing Graveyard heart-stirring remembrances fell flat thanks to Toilet Tongue Woods. He’s a bum, pure and simple.
During his career, Tiger has done a great job raising tournment purses and the level of competition on the tour. As the world’s highest-ranked golfer, he expects to win everytime he steps on the course with his ‘take no prisoners’ approach to the game. Granted, he wears the frustration of missed shots on his sleeve for everyone to see and (unfortunately) to hear. (Did Tommy Armour ever have a microphone close to him?) It’s understandable Tiger or any golfer will try new equipment to compensate for differences on the course when swing or setup changes won’t. Tiger will return to form when the media stops badgering him about his personal life mistakes. However, it’s unlikely he’ll surpass Jack in major wins or be honored years from now like Jack and Arnie are today.
Peter
Tiger is not, and I repeat, not the only one who curses on the course.
Typical that you pick out Woods ‘behaviors’ and single him out as if he is the only one doing it. Puh-leeese.
Whether you like it or not, Woods is a role model. Because of Woods, MILLIONS of people have taken up the game of golf. In fact, I bet your grandchildren wouldn’t even know about golf if it wasn’t for Tiger Woods.
He is an athlete. He is not an elected official. He is not a man of the cloth. I agree that the cursing should be edited out, but not from the player, from the networks. They can employ a 10-second delay! I’d rather see someone passionate about their game than someone who mopes and pouts (aka Mickelson).
Amen to Connolly–a million times over–Tiger is a snapshot of some things that are wrong with our society, and this was BEFORE Thanksgiving–
Re: Peter Connolly on July 18, 2010.
My Mr Connolly, you do seem upset. Granted Tiger does curse but if you have played the game of golf you should understand the frustration of missing shots when you know you can do better. I will always be a fan of Mr. Woods – no, what he has done is not right but he is paying for it now. I just want to see him regain his golf form of old. I am not interested in his personal life. By the way he is not the only golfer who has been unfaithful, he is just the one they cover the most.
A note, not on Tiger, but on men. I think we have become such a weak and pathetic excuse for a race when men like Peter K. Connolly, and those like him can be so appauled by something as small, unimportant, and nothing but one’s own personal problem, as profanity. They are simply sounds coming out of a person’s mouth? How does this affect you? We do have the freedom of speech, and the fact that people let profanity bother them shows nothing but their own intellectual weakness. Peter Connolly, you aren’t doing your grandchildren any good by protecting them from “words. Ooohhh, scary, turn off the “bad words” that can’t really hurt anybody, and turn on all the other violence, even in cartoons and in the news that really actually needs attention – seriously, any person who wastes their time fighting “profanity” is a fool, because any word at any given time can be declared “profane,” and the fact that you lemmings follow that declaration and get all upset anytime that exact pattern of syllables and vowels are formed from a person’s mouth shows you just how pathetically foolish you are, and how pathetically foolish your grandchildren are going to be. What is happening in our civilization is a sad “politically correct” movement that is geared toward stealing our freedoms and liberties. It was Eleanor Roosevelt I believe who said “no one can make you feel inferior withour your consent.” Brilliant. However, these days, someone just said something profane and I feel I have been verbally assaulted, I want to file a complaint. What kind of sad, pathetic excuse for being are you? A caveman would show more common sense than you Peter Connolly, because they would cock their head, and laugh, and think, “what? that is supposed to hurt?” You, and anyone else who has a problem with profanity are nothing but fools who have been brainwashed and live in the sad little box that has been created for you, and you don’t even realize it, because you are, and probably always will be on the inside of that box. Those of us who are intelligent: those of us outside the box, looking in, watching you lemmings conform to the saddest and most freedom and liberty robbing traditions, laws and conformities have become such a minority. We are overrun with morons and zombies who do not know how to think except for how society taught them (you) to. The sad thing is, your envy-hate for Tiger Woods is also becoming all too common, and your need to lie (there were not six f-bombs and three GD’s today) to attempt to make a point you believe is valid is also becoming all too common. Hate and lies from Peter K. Connolly, and unfortunately, he has been given access to his grandchildren and is exercising that hate-filled, lying, brain-washing mentality in their presence, which is exactly the reason Peter Connolly is such an unintelligent, hateful, close-minded lemming. It doesn’t make me happy to write this, because I know for every Peter Connolly that posts, there are thousands who think like him, and that is what is wrong with the world. The truth hurts.
Mr. Connolly,
It is sad that your grandchildren had to hear those words on television. But do you think that they wouldn’t have heard them on the playground or at school. If you don’t you are fooling yourself. I work in a professionaly setting and my boss uses the f word as part of normal conversation. I am not saying it is right, but things have changed and the words we use today differ from those used in the past. It’s true. Also, he has not the only one that uses that language on the course. I have heard others and yes that includes Phil.
Its not going away. The emotion of sport brings out language that we may not want to hear. But it is not just golf and it is sure not just Tiger.
I think it is a sad commentary that we continue to judge/punish/criticize this man. Let his off course actions go. It has been long enough already. Let’s focus on his play and let him play.
Mr Connolly, you just don’t like the bloke, we get it, having to find any excuse to cut him down, next time Tiger Woods opens his mouth you’ll find some other pathetic reason to criticise him.
Geoff Ogilvy let off the f-bomb in the first round as well if you didn’t notice. Big deal, he got upset. Life goes on, it is what it is, every individual has their own way of dealing with frustration.
Tiger is a great golfer.
But I don’t have to be a supporter of the scumbag do I?
Are so many of you out there so shallow as to say that the quality of a man is so meaningless? Give me Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Phil Mickleson, Padraig Harrington, and their ilk any day. True full-fledged complete SportsMEN all.
Fred,
What do you know about Nicklaus, Watson, Player, Mickelson (aka FIGJAM), and Harrington?
I’m not saying they are not great guys, but who really knows?
Most thought Tiger was a great guy too….
Some here seem to be upset that Tiger gets so much of the media’s attention even when he clearly isn’t in contention for a given tournament. All I can say is that Tiger has earned the attention in more ways than one. He’s still presently the #1 ranked golfer on the planet. There still is bigger TV ratings when he is in the field than when he is not. Love him or hate him every pro golfer knows that a large percentage of the increase in the purses on the PGA Tour for the last decade is due to the notoriety that Eldrick has brought to the game of golf. Yes, I do think Tiger’s antics did give a somewhat negative image to the tour and its players, but for the most part Tiger is the only one who is truly suffering from his own stupidity… and rightfully so. But frankly, I hope the dude finds his total game before too long. And if you’re a real fan of golf, you want exactly the same thing because Tiger has been the biggest thing going for golf since the turn of the millenium. There is nothing as big as Tiger Woods waiting in the wings, and most golf fans are not ready to cast him off completely. A resurrected Woods would give many fans something to cheer about once again. And that would be GREAT for golf!
Why do people continue to make excuses for Tiger? Did Jack Nicklaus yell and curse and slam clubs into in the ground when he was frustrated? No. Did Arnold Palmer? Ben Hogan? Tom Watson? Does Phil Mickelson? No. Don’t you think they are as passionate about winning as Tiger? Absolutely they are/were, but they don’t act like Tiger and nobody should. Last year at the Open Tiger Woods was an absolute disgrace with the way he acted as he was missing the cut. Compare that to the class Tom Watson showed in defeat. How frustrated was he missing that last putt. Yet how did he handle it? Like the true champion he is.
Tiger has been a selfish, arrogant, jerk his whole career.
1. Asking to be paid to play in the Ryder Cup? Are you kidding? A million other guys would PAY to play in golf’s greatest event and represent their country.
2. Not showing up to Payne Stewart’s Memorial Service at the PGA. He was out “practicing” instead of taking just a little bit of his time to honor a fellow champion, his family and the game. A disgrace. Hey Tiger, the other guys that showed up wanted to win that tournament too, but gave up some “practice” time to honor someone other than themself.
3. His is a notorious cheapskate despite being the richest athlete in history. Golf magazines have featured articles about what a poor tipper he is.
4. He fired Butch Harman and now Hank Haney. Despite all they did to help him win 14 majors. Just look at how he treats people. Compare that with Nicklaus and his lifelong relationship with Jack Grout.
5. He has never really been that good with fans. Not in camparison to most players on the tour. He is trying to repair his image now and has a looong way to go.
6. I don’t even have to go into his recent behavior that destroyed his family.
Despite the fact that he is a great player, why exactly do people root for him? Why do so many just look past all his past and even recent behavior and make excuses for him? There are so many other geat players on the PGA tour that hold themselves to a higher standard and are true role models worthy of rooting for. Tiger has a long, long way to go to get there in my opinion.
How quick we are to judge. There was only one perfect person on this planet and they crucified him.I’m sure if we looked in your closet there is somethings you don’t want known or you try to hide.Mr Woods is an asset to the game of golf and will continue to be.The better you are the more people love to HATE!!!!!
Your comment about suspending him for a year for his foul language is absolutely laughable. Why should he be suspended? Because he cheated on his wife? Or because he swears on the course? So if immoral acts are now suspendable, should we also suspend people for gambling problems and alcoholism as well? Maybe you ought to push for Dustin Johnson to be suspended for a year for his DUI charge? You are an idiot mate.
So whats your message to Colin Montgomerie? He cheated on his wife too. Strip him of the Ryder Cup captaincy? Of course you wouldn’t, it’s called a personal life for a reason, a matter between him and his wife, and quite frankly it is none of our business.
Last time I checked, DUI is a crime, infidelity is not. Take your garbage moral high-horse drivel elsewhere.
Bet you didn’t know about either of Johnson and Monty’s misadventures to make comments that are just targeted at Woods himself. Google it, it’s all there, the added bonus is none of what I have said is a lie.
Let’s face it, the reality is golf is boring without Woods, as soon as they stopped covering him after the double on 7 yesterday I turned it off and went to bed. People watch him in the hope of seeing him shots like the 2nd on 9 at August in Round 1 and the 2nd into 18 at Pebble on the Saturday. Like it or not, he captivates audiences like no other, including those that know a lot about the game.
It’s pretty clear you are a hater. But who are you to judge?
I know that Phil signs autographs for hours after playing all day & I know that tiger does not
Note to Aaron: You may disagree with Peter K. Connolly, but keep his grandchidren out of it. quote (“….how patheticaly foolish your grandchildren are going to be..”). How he chooses to raise his grandkids is none of your business.
Thanks to all the other comments, ..I enjoy reading them.. Good debate on Eldrick.
Good to see young golfers succeed, especially Rory Mcllroy. He has a bright future for a twenty-one year old.
First he must make things right with Elin by actually apologizing to her and then paying her at least 300M in the divorce. He payed Rachel Uchitel at least 10M just to keep her mouth shut.
Tiger is a shell of the golfer he used to be. Tiger2000 would wipe today’s Tiger off the map.
did anyone hear John Maginnes say that Shawn Micheel is a top ten player in the world? that must be in the non Tiger universe.
shame on you LEE ANN you should at least spell JACK’S name correctly
Haha..for the first itme ever, I read a Tiger article and surprise to find out that there are so many comments about it. It’s already very much like an international debate competition about Tiger. It’s interesting to read..good fun. Thanks to Tiger. Just looking at these debate, everyone shall undersatnd well the influence of this man for not only golf, but including how to bring up your grandchildren???
Disappointly, Tiger is not doing well…again. However it makes me can’t wait to see him playing again, probably in Bridgestone Invitational and PGA championship. When would Tiger win again?? This seems like the biggest question in golf today. The fact is either Tiger is winning or not, he is still the biggest topic in golf. By the way, it is really exciting to watch young players like Ricky Fowler, Ryo Ishikawa, Rory McIlroy. Especially the distinguished attire appearance of Ricky, certianly make him a star in golf.
14 Majors
71 PGA Tour Victories
Enough said.
someone asked “Who cares?” I care – Tiger has brought to the game and I am grateful for it. So what if he has domestic problems, don;t we all! I wish you the best of luck for the remaining year and throughout your career Tiger!!
I watched golf before Tiger, and I’ll watch golf after Tiger. To those of you who watch BECAUSE of Tiger – that’s fine, but I could care less if he’s there or not. Sure, he’s created a lot more interest and larger purses. But without that there would still be the game of golf; to play and to watch.
Golf is boring without Tiger – I probably won’t watch much of it after he retires.
When is the PGA going to have a sit down with Mr. Woods regarding his filthy mouth. Is a golf tournament no longer a family show? Can you imagine if all the other players were throwing the F bombs around like Woods does you wouldn’t be able to have sound on the show just picture with commentary in the background. He made a public promise that he was going to clean up his act, but it has gotten worse. I hope he never wins again. Let him go play in is own back yard by himself. He can F this and F that all he wants.
Bob: Like all the comments before why read an article about TW if you are not a fan..also all the other golfers use foul language as well most turn around are cover their mouths so the camera can’t see.
The Tiger Woods show is deplorable. I am sick and tired of replays of Woods when he is 14 shots behind. Also, He does represent the game of golf. He has a foul mouth and is totally consumed with himself. It’s time the PGA write him off and Golf will be a better game for all those that appreciate what golf has done for them, not what they have done for golf.
Have they stopped teaching grammar and spelling in US schools?
Tiger got beat with his A-game, or is that A___hole game. Get past yer ego ya spoiled brat. He is pretty good at dreaming up excuses though…makes me laugh.
What part of ALL TOUR PLAYERS CURSE dont you retards understand? If all players got the coverage that Tiger did, you would hear/see just as much profanity. Back when he was loved by all and winning majors left and right, his mouth was just as foul and no one said anything. I personally heard Tiger let loose an impressive collection of profanity in a Masters practice round probably 10 years ago. But the same can be said of MANY tour players Ive seen in person. Its nothing new. The same can also be said of NFL, MLB, NBA, any other sport. You ever watched an uncensored NFL film? Grown men use whatever language they want. Stop expecting athletes to be perfect role models. Like Barkley said, “Raise your own damn kids.”
All you folks hating on Tiger for “foul language” are MORONS
To all the critics: Here’s a guy who has made billions for his fellow pros, given hundreds of millions to charity, and brought in millions of new fans.
He is the best golfer in history and will right his ship soon enough. The standard he has set is so high that top 5 finishes in two majors were treated as abject failure. Personally, I don’t care much about watching golf EXCEPT if Tiger is playing because what I admire is excellence in all fields.
A note to the girls and the girly men: Most men don’t care if he’s a womanizer. Actually they envy him. Check out any sports bar, if you doubt that.
Elin should stop her whining and be grateful that she is married to a great man. Maybe if she was a better wife he wouldn’t have strayed. Her pathetic antics prevented him from preparing properly for 2010 and deprived millions of fans of the opportunity to see really great golf.
@tigerfan…have a point when you write.
It’s rather apparent that many cannot separate the sport from the persona. For those that play the game know that so much of the game depends on what’s between your ears, as it is what’s in the bag….or talent for that matter. We all have things in our past we would not like vetted in such a public forum as the press. My guess is that it includes many of the greats that Tiger is so frequently compared to. What is bothersome is the seeming appetite for that “reality” news bite; that has made our personal lives so much more exposed. No I don’t condone extramarital behaviors, but then again it doesn’t really belong in the game of golf. When Tiger gets his head back in the game, his exciting style of golf will come back. To those of you who’s “role models” have yet to fall from grace…… just remember and be forgiving. We are all just human.
@longball…have a point when you write.