Opinion & Analysis
Is it time to stop expecting great things from Tiger Woods?
Members of the crowd could be heard laughing after Tiger Woods topped a shot on the last hole of Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. And maybe that’s the best recourse for Tiger after such a disappointing start to the season’s second major championship — just laugh it off. But it’s hard to shake the feeling that even Tiger can’t believe how poorly he is playing, and it only seems to be getting worse.
Heading into Friday, Woods finds himself 15 shots behind co-leaders Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson. It’s almost certain that he will miss the cut, and his score of 10-over-par 80 in Round 1 was only better than two other golfers in the field, one of which was playing partner Rickie Fowler (+11).
[quote_box_center]”Not very happy, that’s for sure,” Woods said after the round. “It was a tough day…The bright side is I kicked Rickie’s butt today.”[/quote_box_center]
Woods’ body language said that he didn’t feel good about the joke, but what else was there to say? Tiger Woods, a 14-time major champion, hit a handful of good shots mixed in with some of the worst shots anyone has ever seen him hit in a major championship.
Is this what golf fans should come to expect of Woods? At least that’s what the numbers say.
Of Woods’ 36 competitive rounds since the beginning of the 2013-14 season, 23 have been over-par. He’d only shot one score in the 80s on the PGA Tour before 2015, but now has four 80+ rounds. The fall has been so far and so fast that it’s easy to forget that Woods is now many, many fairways over from the No. 1-ranked golfer that he used to be.
For Tiger’s sanity and our own, it’s time to stop expecting great things from his golf game, at least until he seriously contends again. And the last time he did that was…
Isn’t it a shame that we can hardly remember?
Opinion & Analysis
Brandel Chamblee PGA Championship Q&A: Rose’s huge McLaren risk, distracted LIV pros and why Aronimink suits the bombers
PGA Championship week is here, and Brandel Chamblee did not hold back in our latest discussion ahead of the season’s second major.
In our 2026 PGA Championship Q&A, golf’s leading analyst made the case that PIF pulling LIV’s funding has left its players competing in a state of confusion, called Justin Rose’s mid-season equipment switch a huge risk at 45, and explained why Aronimink will be a bombers’ delight this week.
Check out the full Q&A below.
Gianni: With the PIF confirming that they’re pulling funding from LIV at the end of the season, what impact do you expect that to have on the LIV players competing at the PGA Championship?
Brandel: I would imagine that they have all been thrown into a state of confusion, and will be distracted, not knowing where they are going to play next year and not knowing exactly their road back to either the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour. Or in Rahm’s case, being tied to a sinking ship for the next few years, likely playing for pennies on the dollar in events that no one cares about or watches.
I doubt this would put him in the best frame of mind to compete at his highest level. Keeping in mind, however, that majors are the only time that LIV disciples get to play in events that matter, so never disregard the motivation they have to prove to the world they are still relevant.
Gianni: Justin Rose switched to McLaren Golf equipment mid-season while playing some of the best golf of his career. What do you make of the change?
Brandel: I don’t really know what to make of Rose switching equipment. It seems a huge risk on his part, even though it is likely, in my opinion, that the clubs he’s playing are similar, if not the exact grinds, to what he was playing previously, with a McLaren stamp on them.
Having said that, at best, it is a distraction when he seemed to be as dialed in with his game as any 45-year-old could be and trending in the majors to perhaps do something that would definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. At worst, given the possibility that these clubs aren’t just duplicates of his old set stamped with McLaren on them, he’s made an equipment change that would take time, and 45-year-old athletes don’t have the time to do such things.
Gianni: Aronimink has only hosted a handful of professional events since it hosted the 1962 PGA Championship. What kind of test does it present, and does a course with less recent major championship history tend to level the playing field?
Brandel: Even though Aronimink has only hosted a handful of meaningful professional events, it has been fairly discerning in who can win there. When Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship on the Donald Ross masterpiece in 2018, he was the 2nd best iron player on tour coming into that week. When Nick Watney won the AT&T at Aronimink in 2011, he was 2nd in strokes gained total coming into the week.
In 2020, Aronimink hosted the KPMG Championship, and Sei Young Kim won. On the LPGA that year, she was first in greens in regulation, putts per green in regulation, and scoring average on the way to being the LPGA player of the year. And then there is the 1962 PGA Championship won by Gary Player, who eventually became just one of a few players to win the career grand slam on the way to winning 9 majors. It is a formidable test, and if it’s not softened by rain, it will bring out the best in the upper echelons of the game.
Gianni: Is there a specific hole at Aronimink that you think will do the most to decide the winner?
Brandel: The hardest hole at Aronimink in each of the three tour events that have been played there since 2010 has been the long par-3 8th hole, with the par-4 10th being the second hardest, so most of the carnage will happen around the turn, but with the par-5 16th offering opportunities for bold plays and the tough closing holes at 17 and 18, the finish is likely to be frenetic.
Gianni: The PGA Championship has always sat in the shadow of the other majors. What does the ideal PGA Championship look like in your eyes, and what would it take for it to carve out its own identity?
Brandel: The PGA Championship, to whatever degree it suffers from the comparison to the other three majors, is still counted just as much when adding them up at the end of one’s career. Almost 1/3 of Nicklaus’ major wins were the five PGA Championships he won. Walter Hagen won 11 majors, five of which were PGA Championships.
Tiger Woods twice in his career won back-to-back PGA Championships, and those four majors count just as much as the other 11 he won. The PGA may not have the prestige of the other three, but it carries the same weight. Having said that, I preferred the identity that it had as the last major of the year.
Gianni: You nailed your Masters picks. Rory won, Scottie finished solo second, and Morikawa surged to a tie for seventh. Who are your top 3 picks for the PGA Championship and why?
Brandel: I am not a huge fan of majors played on golf courses that have been shorn of most of the trees, although I understand some of the agronomic reasons for doing so and of course the ease with which it allows members to play after errant drives. However, at the highest level, it all but eliminates any strategy off the tee and turns professional golf into an even bigger slugfest. That means that it will likely be a bomber’s delight this week, but fortunately, Scottie Scheffler is long enough to play that game and straight enough to play it better than anyone else.
The major championships give us very few surprises anymore, going back to the beginning of 2012, so the last 57 majors played, the average world rank of the winners has been better than 15th in the world. So look at the highest ranked and longest drivers who are on form coming into the PGA Championship who also have great short games as the surrounds at Aronimink are very challenging. That’s Scottie Scheffler by a mile and then McIlroy and Cameron Young with a far bigger nod towards DeChambeau than I gave him at the Masters.
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
This year my 50th birthday. Gosh, where has the time gone?
As a teenager in rural Missouri, some of my junior high and high school years felt interminable. Graduation seemed light years away. But the older I get, the faster life seems to fly by.
I’m also increasingly aware of my mortality. My dad died recently. Earlier this year, a friend and fellow PGA of America professional and I were texting about our next catch-up. The next message I received was news of his unexpected passing at 48. Shortly after, a woman I dated in college succumbed to cancer at 51.
Certainly, one can share perspective at any age. Seniors help freshmen, veterans guide rookies. But reaching this milestone feels like as good a time as any to do one of those “what would I tell my younger self?” articles.
I’ve had a uniquely varied career in golf. I started as a 27-year-old, average-length-hitting, 14-handicap computer engineer and somehow managed to turn pro before running out of money, constantly bootstrapping my way forward. I’ve won qualifiers and set venue records in the World Long Drive Championships, finished fifth at the Speedgolf World Championships, coached all skill levels as a PGA of America professional, built industry-leading swing speed training programs for Swing Man Golf, helped advance the single-length iron market with Sterling Irons®, caddied on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and played about 300 courses across 32 countries.
It’s been a ride, and I’ve gone both deep and wide.
So while I can consult and advise from a lot of angles, let me keep it to a few things I’d tell the average golfer who wants to improve.
1. Think About What You Want
Everyone has their own reason for picking up a golf club.
Oddly, as a professional athlete, I’m not internally driven by competition. That can be challenging, as the industry currently prioritizes and incentivizes competition over the love of the game.
For me, I love walking and being outdoors. Nature helps balance my energy. I prefer courses that are integrated into the natural beauty of their surroundings. I’m comfortable practicing alone. I’m a deep thinker, and I genuinely enjoy investigating the game, using data and intuition to unearth unique, often innovative insights. I’m fortunate to be strong and athletic, so I appreciate the chance to engage with my abilities. Traveling feels adventurous. I could go on.
You don’t have to overthink it like I do. For you, it might be as simple as hitting balls to escape work, hanging out with friends, and playing loosely with the rules and the score.
The point is to give yourself permission to play for your own reasons, and let that be enough.
But if improvement is your goal, thinking about your destination—and when you want to get there—is important, because it dictates the steps you need to take. When I set out to go from a 14-handicap to the PGA TOUR as quickly as possible, the steps I needed were very different from those of a working golfer trying to break 90 in six months. That’s also different from someone who just wants a few peaceful hours outside each week, away from work or family.
None of these goals are better than the others, but each requires a different plan that you can work backward from.
2. There Are Lots of Things That Can Work
One of the challenges of golf is that, although there are rules for playing, there aren’t clear, industry-wide standards for how to best play the game. There’s a lot of gray area.
You might hear a top coach or trainer insist that a certain move is the best way to swing or train. Then you dig a bit deeper and, much to your confusion and frustration, another respected coach or trainer says something completely different. I don’t think anyone is trying to confuse you—at least I hope not. It’s just where the industry is right now.
You have to be careful with advice from tournament pros, too. They might be great at scoring, but they’re also human and sometimes just as susceptible as amateurs to believing things that don’t really move the needle. Tour players might describe what they feel, but that’s not always what they’re actually doing when assessed with technology.
I recently ran a test on my YouTube channel (which connects to my GolfWRX article “How to use your hands in the golf swing for power and accuracy”), and, interestingly, two of the most commonly taught hand actions produced the worst results in the test.
Coaches can certainly help. If you find someone you connect with to help navigate, that’s great. But there are many ways to get the ball in the hole. In the current landscape, you may need to seek multiple opinions, think critically, and use your own intuition to discern what seems true and whose advice resonates with you.
I’d recommend seeking someone who is open-minded and always learning, because things constantly change. Absolutes like “correct” or “proper” should raise a red flag. AI can be useful, but it tends to confidently repeat popular advice, so proceed with caution.
3. Get Custom Fit
If you’re serious about becoming a better player, getting custom fit is hugely important. There’s no sense fighting your equipment if you don’t have to. Most better players get fit these days and, if they don’t, they’re usually skilled enough to work around clubs that aren’t ideal.
If you plan to play for a long time, it’s worth spending a little more upfront to get something that truly fits you and your game, rather than continually buying and discarding equipment.
Equipment rules haven’t really changed significantly since the early 2000s. To stay in business, manufacturers keep pushing those limits. If you pull a bunch of clubs and balls off the rack and test them, you’ll find differences. I’ve tested two new drivers and seen a 30-yard total distance gap. Usually, the issue isn’t bad equipment; it’s that the combination of components simply isn’t the best fit.
It’s like wearing a new pair of floppy clown shoes. Sure, they’re shoes—but you won’t sprint your best in them compared to track shoes that fit perfectly.
Be wary of what’s called custom fitting, too. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing strategy rather than an actual fitting. In some retail settings, fitters may be incentivized to steer you toward higher-priced components. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s not the best fit, but you should be aware of potential biases.
I learned a version of this lesson outside of golf. Years ago, I bought a tennis racquet at a big box store from a seemingly knowledgeable employee who thought it would suit me best. The racquet gave me tennis elbow, and I spent months recovering with rest and acupuncture. The next season, I invested more time and money to find what actually fit me, and I walked away with something amazing that I still play with years later.
So if you’re going to get fit, be smart about it.
Find someone you believe has deep knowledge—possibly with certifications, but not necessarily. Make sure there’s a wide inventory across many brands. Check recent reviews for the individual fitter if possible. Make sure you trust that the fitter has your best interests at heart. If they’re wearing a hat or shirt with a specific brand’s logo, proceed with caution. Unless you specifically want a certain brand or look, be wary of upsells, especially if two options perform nearly the same.
Also, while golf is called a sport of integrity, there’s a thread of manipulation in the industry. I once drafted an equipment article for an industry magazine, structured just like one of their previous popular stories, with matching word count and great photos. The assistant editor loved it; it was useful to readers and required little work on his part. But the editor-in-chief nixed the story. When I asked why, I was told it was because I wasn’t an advertiser. It turned out the article I’d modeled mine after was a paid ad cleverly disguised as editorial content.
I really dislike games, clickbait, and fear-based manipulation. I hope this changes, but golfers deserve to know it exists.
4. Distance and Strategy Matter
There’s a real relationship between how far you hit the ball and your scoring average, even at the PGA TOUR level.
I experienced this early in my pro career. I started as a power hitter, swinging in the high 120s and breaking 200 mph ball speed with a stock driver.
Back then, some instructors advised swinging at 80%, so I tried slowing down for more accuracy. That worked fine on shorter, tighter courses. But on longer setups, I was coming into greens with too much club, and par 5s stopped being
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Zyia
Dec 28, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Very short description. There is nothing wrong with Tigers game and i truly have knowledge of this. The truth is, that he is under force not to win. And wouldn’t you like to know!
Bobby Cunningham
Jun 20, 2015 at 10:54 pm
tigers age is irrelevant. This is 100% mental. I love tiger. It pains me to Him playing like this. No one has the right to criticize decisions in his personal life. But he does need to figure out a medication or a spiritual practice so he can forgive himself. The guy is in the best shape on tour. You can see it on his face. His mind is racing because he puts so much pressure on himself. And then in interviews he points to his swing issues. No one expects tiger to contend anymore. No one was shocked by this weekends performance. He needs some serious mental changes. Until that happens he’ll never win another tournament.
Forsbrand
Jun 20, 2015 at 3:39 pm
Tigers brain is fried. He needs to pack his clubs up and take a year off tour. He could visit every country in the world and hold clinics for young aspiring golfers and play one of the top courses with some local dignatories , top amateurs etc. not only is it what woods needs, something different from the norm, but he would be giving back to golf and also would be an excellent revenue drive for charities etc. I feel for Tiger but simply slugging it out on a range 6 hours a day is not going to cure him.
RG
Jun 20, 2015 at 1:45 am
Tiger needs to forget technique and find his rhythm.
Booger
Jun 20, 2015 at 12:36 am
Yes,yes it’s time. It’s also time to stop writing about him.
Pjm
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Tiger needs to step away from the game for 2yrs and figure out his life issues.
He will return with confidence.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:41 pm
He should probably take 3 or 4 years off to repair his body and mind. Come back when he is about 45 years old.
Jeff
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:08 pm
I know how good he was but man, hasn’t he earned the right to play poorly? Just by his Player’s win in 2013 he’s qualified for lots of golf tournaments. I’m gonna suggest the guy has earned the right to shoot whatever score he shoots.
Golf Pro
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:06 pm
The “he’s 40” excuse is getting old. Theres plenty of players out there that are 40+ with only half of Tiger’s talent that are not throwing up 80s everywhere.
Tigers problem is he became obsessed with swing mechanics and he has no idea how to play by feel. Tiger has loads of talent that has been ruined by Como’s swing mechanics.
I think this issue will end his career.
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Vijay comes to mind as a performer in his 40s….his long, languid reverse C was/is the perfect swing for consistency into ones 40s….as shown by Colin Montgomerie and Tom Watson..
But Vijay’s prolific 40s record is the exception and not the rule…
Tiger would be lucky to win 50% as regularly as Vijay post 40….
Golf Pro
Jun 20, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Not that I expect him to win in his 40’s, but Tiger should be able to compete. Jim Furyk is 45 and he’s #3 in the world and known as a short hitter. Does he win? No, but he’s out there almost every week grinding and has some top 15’s.
Carl
Jun 19, 2015 at 11:26 am
Click bait
Rich
Jun 19, 2015 at 10:23 am
YES.
Kevin
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:43 am
It really is odd that he’s striping it so well on the range and then seems to lose control on the course. It is different than the decline Ian Baker Finch had in that way. I don’t think Tiger is finished, but he’s certainly on the wrong side of that razor’s edge that is high level competitive golf. It was harder for me to believe he shot 85 at the Memorial because he was doing ok at places where he had a real comfort level, The Masters is the perfect example. He was always mentally light years ahead of his competition, and this problem seems mental to me since he’s killing on the range. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Robeli
Jun 19, 2015 at 11:29 am
What role does the caddie play?
Mike
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:19 am
Golf is a brutal game because TW was one of the greatest golfers in the history of mankind. What was once the best swing in the modern era of golf and produced over a decade of greatness, excitement and countless roars from Augusta to the WGCs has evolved into a swing that struggles to break par. What’s worst is the destruction was self-inflicted. It’s a shame because TW made golf exciting to watch all four days for a very long time and who knows if we’ll ever live to see another great golfer that can win double digit majors.
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:41 am
Perfectly stated…not to mention he is 40. Jack didn’t win at a 25% clip from 1981-1990 either.
It’s just what happens.
That’s life.
Watching Tiger play like is reminds me of watching Jordan as a sixth man for the Wizards…sad but age slows us all down.
Woods may still have a few wins in him but we are definitely on the downside of his amazing career.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:51 am
Was this after MJ was betting on games? Tiger and Stiney need to open the checkbook and pay Butch $5 million a year and Stevie $4 million a year. This is really disgraceful and embarassing,
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:54 pm
I have no idea to what you are referring.
Jordan left basketball in 94 and 95 to chase his dream of playing pro baseball for the white sox…
He hit a respectable .227 considering he hadn’t played since high school.
Jordan returned to the NBA where he led the Bulls to 3 more championships.
A few years after his final Bulls retirement he came out of retirement to play for the Wizards where he was a shell of his former self.
That is the feeling I get watching Tiger. Hope that helps answer your obtuse musings.
-Christosterone
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:04 am
To all the butch acolytes: tiger had a better winning percentage(by far) with Haney.
So if he should go back to anyone it should be hank. But we know that’s not gonna happen.
2007 Hoylake was a master class in golf…all 9 shots as Haney put it and putted like a god.
It is perhaps the loss of Steve Williams that has hurt him…though his age is the primary tool of degradation…
Anyhow, woods won 5 times just 2 years ago….he will figure it out and eventually pass Snead but jacks 18 seem unattainable on his current trajectory.
Christosterone
Jun 21, 2015 at 11:36 am
2006 Open Championship….my bad
Greg V
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:02 am
Fat tire bike.
Steve
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:01 am
Well it could only last 3 more years at this level. After that he wont qualify and most likely will lose his tour card, unless there is a rule for wins or majors I dont know about.
No one fears Tiger, it is sad that the second greatest golfer of all time is a joke now. Maybe he should just hang it up. When i saw his instructor on the range Tuesday, filming his swing with a phone, then Tiger looking it over. I knew it was over for this tournament. This isnt a swing problem, this is a mental problem. Maybe he should go see a shrink or someone he can clear his mind with
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:04 am
By the end of the year he will be #300th in the world.
Chris
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:20 am
After you win like 15-20 PGA Tour events, you have your tour card for life. Very important rules you know nothing about
JR
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:51 am
Its players that have been on the PGA Tour for 15yrs and have at least 20 wins.
Other players with lifetime exemptions are Vijay Singh, Davis Love III and Tom Watson.
Tiger is not going way unless he just hangs ’em up…
Steve
Jun 19, 2015 at 10:36 am
Very important to who? You, me or Tiger? They dont apply to me and i am quessing you also.
Golf Pro
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:11 pm
He cant lose his card. You clearly know nothing about golf.
Steve
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:10 pm
I know that is important. I think i will play better knowing this. You seem alittle unloved, tell your boyfriend to clean your balls and shaft.
Greg V
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:01 am
He’ll be 40 in December. Many champion golfers have been able to play well in their early 40’s, but Tiger Woods has one thing going against him: the body building. All the upper body work has really caught up with his golf swing; as he nears the end of the back swing, he seems insistent to get the swing over with. The insistence is probably a result of the excess muscle, and the lack of confidence. But Tiger can’t help himself – the lunge from the top is killing him.
To my eye, that is the difference between his driving range swing and the one that catches up with him on the golf course – the rhythm and tempo are absent on the course as he tries to overpower his shots.
If he completely changes his approach to working out, and changes his approach on the course, he can play fine golf again. If I were his conditioning coach, I would get him on a fat time bike for 40 minutes a day for conditioning, and I wouldn’t let him near a weight machine. If I were his caddy, I would make him take an extra club and hit the ball softer.
Tom
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:55 am
Lets kick a man when he s down …feel better now?
other paul
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:46 am
How long until he loses his tour card? Anyone know?
Jon
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:38 am
He has a lifetime membership, so does Phil.
Jon
Jun 19, 2015 at 10:03 am
He has a lifetime membership, so does Phil. As for the Majors, he has a lifetime qualification for The Masters and the PGA Championship and exempt for The Open Championship until he is 60. After 2018 TW’s 10 year exemption will expire and he will have to qualify for the US Open.
Matto
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:05 am
Stop dipping your head so much, and stop trying to swing so godamn hard.
Done.
MartyMoose09
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:01 am
This. Looks like he’s trying to keep up with the young guys and swinging out of his shoes which throws off his balance.
Golf Pro
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:14 pm
His head dip is only 1/3 of Bubba Watson. And Bubba has no issue. Next..
Patricknorm
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:48 am
To Bobby Reyes, time to move on. How Tiger did 2 years ago doesn’t matter anymore. He’s had his back surgically repaired. Clearly there’s a disconnect between his brain and his body under pressure. Right now, Tiger is embarrassing himself in a pathetic manner. So much hatred spewing for Zack. Sometimes the truth hurts or in your case it’s a character debasement. Tiger is many moons away from contending in a major. Sad but true. Go gently Bobby. Quit beating yourself up.
dapadre
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:43 am
This is so typical of a Chinese adage:
There was a man who undertook a journey. About a quarter into the journey people asked where he was going he mentioned the name of the destination but they told him he was going the wrong way. The man told them to mind their business and even belittled them and traveled on. Further during his journey same thing, sir you are going the wrong way, same reaction. On getting to the gates of the city, the gatekeeper of the town asked whom or where he was going to meet in the city. When the man answered the gatekeeper said, Sir you are totally off course. Where you should have gone is the other direction. The man now realizing his mistake asked how do I get there? The gatekeeper said YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE EXACT SAME ROAD BACKWARDS.
The man has two options. Pretend he didnt hear the gatekeeper and enter the city NEVER reaching his destination OR, Swallow his pride go backwards, take and accept that those he met down the road may laugh and say a I TOLD YOU SO, but at least now he will reach his DESTINATION. We all know which is the wisest to do, but many dont do it.
steven
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:40 am
problem is…he is striping it on the range…but can’t take it to the course. too much adrenaline…
dapadre
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:45 am
The driving range is NO true test of a course.
Mo
Jun 21, 2015 at 11:45 pm
So true. I see lots of guys bombing it on the range, then see them later in the bush looking for a ball.
Jake Anderson
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:38 am
Woods is not a good golfer anymore. His swing is lost and he should retire.
adam
Jun 19, 2015 at 7:57 am
Is that what happens when you lose a swing? You just up and quit? The guys 40. He needs a sabbatical and quit being so technical with his swing.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:36 pm
He needs to get his sponsors to pay Butch $5 million to take him back and $4 million to Steve Williams to get him back. My friend is a big Tiger fan and he is blubbering like a baby. He said “I never thought Tiger would be a big loser!”
Only Butch and Stevie can save Tiger now. Without Stevie – Tiger is a nobody.
The dude
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:13 am
Great article Zak! Don’t listen to these wanna be losers ripping the story. Now move on jabronies !!
S
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:33 am
Pga tour items
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121681854614
wendell
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:12 am
i hate to say this however this seems like a trolling article if i ever read one. I mean why wasn’t this article about why we shouldn’t be expecting great things from Ben Crenshaw at the Masters?
James Foster
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:40 am
Why can’t Woods just call up Butch Harmon and tell him that he needs help? Or what about David Leadbetter? Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Nick Price. Not a bad CV.
dapadre
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:34 am
One word: PRIDE. You and I and even Tiger know that Butch would have that swing back in no time. Tiger is trying to ingrate a swing that is clashing with his other swing thoughts.
Rogue Golf
Jun 19, 2015 at 6:46 am
I worked closely with Butch for a couple of days on his instructional movie a few years ago as of then he said there was no way he would ever teach Tiger again. Tiger insulted him personally in some way, he wouldn’t elaborate but he was open enough to tell me it would never happen, now that was a few years ago and time heals mostly everything but this was nearly a decade since they had parted ways.
As far as Tiger’s swing goes he is definitely on the right track, he’s getting stuck just like he used to, the club is late his lines are good, he just doesn’t trust it and the only thing that will fix that is more practice. Give the guy some time I know he wants to break Jack’s record but we have to be realistic, put in the time and not worry about the record good things will come.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:03 am
Tiger could get the money from sponsors like that big shoe company. Pay Butch $5 million a year and Stevie Williams $4 million a year. It has to help. It would sure be better than being a disgrace and a joke.
Matt
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:05 pm
There is a 0% chance that Butch will ever teach Tiger. Everyone knows about Tiger’s pride so I don’t think he would ever initiate that discussion. More importantly, if you’re Butch Harmon, why would you even want to go back to Tiger? Every jabroni with a keyboard thinks he’s a magical savior who can swoop in and get Tiger back to his dominant ways again. So it’s better to leave everyone thinking thinking that than actually try and end up tarnishing your legacy. Also, it’s not like he’s hurting for students to teach so he doesn’t need the project or probably the money either.
Adam
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:23 am
3 wins in 2012, 5 wins in 2013 with 8 top tens in 16 events played. He finished top 20 in the Masters this year.
He still has the ability to compete, he’s just not doing it. This is the same conversation as in 2009 and he came back then. He’s a little older so I don’t expect he’ll be in the top world rankings anymore but he’s not done.
Dude
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:23 am
Such positivity on this forum.
stu
Jun 19, 2015 at 7:15 am
Tiger is doing great. His swing is coming around. He just has to stick with it! LOL. Feel better?
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:13 am
He is 200th in the world and possibly even higher. Maybe golf should focus on players playing good golf versus hackers. It’s over.
cb
Jun 19, 2015 at 3:53 am
Pat M, remember golf is a about traditions and respect. Golf focuses on Tiger because without Tiger golf wouldn’t be where it is today. Ask the young guns who they watched and wanted to be like. They all say Tiger. Oh and the 14 majors and 79 pga tour wins has earned him some respect. Also, a hacker couldn’t finish in the top 20 at the masters.