Monday (Tiger vs. Y.E.) edition: Wha’ Happened?
Posted on August 17th, 2009 – 9:26 AMBy Michael Rand
We wrote for today’s paper about Tiger Woods’ tendency to play slow and steady rather than accelerate at this year’s PGA Championship after taking a four-shot lead through two rounds. It was an approach that ultimately cost him — and one that was punctuated by an apt metaphor when a turtle crossed his path on the 7th hole Sunday (pictured).
Tiger tried to wait out Y.E. Yang with pars, but Yang’s gutsy shot-making ended up turning many folks into the gallery Sunday into converted fans. They might have come to see Tiger, but a good many ended up cheering for the underdog. Our questions this morning are simple: Which camp did you find yourself in, and why?
Also, Newbie thinks we’re a jinx. Feel free to discuss that as well.
22 Responses to "Monday (Tiger vs. Y.E.) edition: Wha’ Happened?"
I was definitely rooting for Tiger. Never changed at all.
However, I noticed a parallel Sunday as I watched Tiger suck it up. In Minnesota, morphed into a Minnesota sports team. Think about it (I’ll use the ‘98 Vikings for example).
Tiger was dominant on Thursday and Friday as were the Vikings in the regular season.
Tiger played a little conservative on Saturday and started falling back to the pack. Then on Sunday his conservativeness became a fault and his strength (putting) became a weakness. The Vikings went conservative at the end of the 1st half and ultimately their strength (Gary Anderson) let them down.
Finally, as a heavy favorite Tiger lost to an underdog. We all know how the Vikes finished, and per a HIMYM episode I will refrain from mentioning any more.
I was cheering for Yang. Who can resist a good underdog story? It was nice seeing Tiger be human.
All I’m saying is until Randball followed Tiger, he was unbeatable with the lead.
I usually pull for someone other than Tiger. It feels like rooting for the Yankees; too easy cause they are always good. Still after waiting all day on 17 I wanted to punch them both for not making it the tournament deciding hole. It was good to see Tiger play “pedestrian” and not have his opponent collapse.
I should qualify by saying; I like Tiger and never mind seeing him win. But it makes for a more fun competition when he needs to stick one on the last couple holes, instead of running away.
Although everyone loves a Brett Favre story, it was just so odd to see Brett Favre collapse like that down the Brett Favre and allow Brett Favre to Brett Favre. Brett Favre Brett Favre Brett Favre.
Since sports fans like to throw out the C word a lot, not that one, didn’t Tiger choke?
Did Yang, play well, sure, but shooting 3 over par in the final round of a major is a Sprewell level choke job in my book.
Any other golfer would be getting killed by the media had they played like El Tigre, why is he above criticism?
Stu:
Favre? Brett Favre Brett? Brett Favre Starting Pitching Punto Favre.
Stu, just for you there is this story.
Jama: that is what I’m referencing.
It would be so much easier if this wasn’t Glazer. Glazer’s usually right.
Or this from Pete King.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/08/16/mmqb/4.html
Similar to an NHL playoff game,I found myself pulling for neither player/team and only hoping for playoff holes/overtime.
It was a nice couple week vacation, wasn’t it Stu?
Newbie: yes. Yes, it was. If you’re looking for to assign a jinx label for this resurfacing, The Marth sent me a text on Friday after Rosenfels performed capably against the Colts that appeared to contain actual enthusiasm.
Cheer for Tiger? Yeah right… right after I cheer for the Yankees, the Cowboys, Notre Dame and the Lakers.
A COW vote for newbie for his thoughts on watching a golf major in person versus on TV.
Funny Clarence. American Express was loaning out TV’s to cardholders to watch on the course. So, you could be there AND watch it on TV. Obviously you can’t see everything when you are there. Either you sit at one hole and watch all groups. Or follow 1 group to see all holes. (Or jump around and see a tad bit of everything.) As with most sports, if you want to watch golf stay at home. If you want to be inspired by golf… go in person.
I was rooting for Yang. I like my golfers animated and enthusiastic (actually, I like these traits in everyone but my gynecologist).
For mentioning “yang” and “gynecologist” in the same sentence, AZGG receives my points, my COW vote, and my blessing.
newbie
I’m curious, which approach you went with? I imagine myself planted on one of the early holes followed by jumping ahead several holes once the final group played through until getting to 17 or 18.
How were the crowds? They seemed somewhat small on Thursday but huge Saturday and Sunday. How many women and children did you have to climb over to get a view of Y.E’s Yang or Tiger using the Port-a-Pot?
Stu, I was also disappointed in Glazer for perpetuating this story. I have no doubt that he will be right, but still. He’s better than that.
jama-
We chose to start walking around. Ended up finding a spot in the bleachers on 17 and parked there for the day. I wanted to go to 18 right away, but my buddy was not real interested in that.
The crowds were massive (1 hour to get from the gate into a bus) if you weren’t established at a hole early on, it became difficult to find a good spot. I did run to the restroom and caught the final group coming down 1, but I spent more time looking for Mr. Randball than watching Tiger walk. (The rows were about 5-7 deep.) I can’t imagine trying to follow that group.
Re: Animated and enthusiastic gynecologists
From the official blog of Dr. Tim Brewster:
“Head gynecologist Tim Brewster has 21 years of ob/gyn experience. Prior to joining HCMC, Brew served tenures under gynecological legends Mack Rosenbrown, Marty Rosenschottenheimer, and Mike Rosenshanahan. Brewster holds a career delivery room record of 113 boys, 61 girls, and 1 hermaphrodite (.645). Doctor Brewster has also made headlines as an outstanding papsmear-er. He has examined the likes of WNBA stars Alexis Hornbuckle, Camille Little, and Tammy Sutton-Brown.”
This is an obvious exagerration and the Hlog will probably ask for a retraction.
