Golf: Going out on a limb with Tiger
By Barry Poe Journal sports writer | Posted: Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Shifting gears after spending the weekend on the Wrigleyville rooftops:
It's time for the greatest weekend in the history of sports. We're talking Magnolia Lane, dogwoods, azaleas and Amen Corner. To those of us who worship the game of golf, there's nothing better than Sunday at The Masters.
In fact, it's been repeated many times -- I believe by former CBS commentator Ken Venturi -- that the tournament doesn't even begin until the final nine holes on Sunday.
Perusing the tee times for the first time, it's hard to argue with the majority who predict that Tiger Woods will slip on his fifth green jacket in the Butler Cabin late Sunday evening.
Certainly, there are a number of capable challengers. It wouldn't be The Masters if there weren't.
At first glance, I'd say the most likely to prevent ATC (another Tiger coronation) are Geoff Ogilvy, who outdueled Mr. Woods at Doral a couple of weeks ago, or perhaps the ever-solid Vijay Singh. Maybe, just maybe, it's time for Adam Scott to break through with his first major. Or long ball bashing Henrik Stenson, who has the length to conquer Augusta National.
As much as I'd like to pick our own Zach Johnson to repeat, that's unlikely to happen. Zach, though, will get plenty of publicity this week and he'll be seen on television wearing the green jacket before he hands it over to the winner.
My sentimental favorite is Tom Watson, but he's way past his prime. So is two-time former champion Ben Crenshaw, who used to putt those slick greens better than anyone. Laurel, Neb., native Mark Calcavecchia is another guy I'd like to see win, but he's never been the same on this course since Sandy Lyle stole victory out from under his clutches in 1988.
Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are trendy choices. But Lefty hasn't done much lately and all this golf course does is frustrate the two South Africans. Speaking of South Africans, it's great to see Gary Player back in the field for a record 51st time.
One of these years, Sergio Garcia will finally win a major. But it won't be in the 2008 Masters, simply because a balky putter doesn't cut it on these greens.
A friend of mine will be cheering wildly for his favorite golfer, Jerry Kelly, the pride of Wisconsin. Sorry, Shane, you can root all you want, but it's not going to happen.
Tiger is simply playing too well. Seldom have we seen anyone on a bigger roll than the world's No. 1 player. He finally finished out of first place in his last appearance, but before a tie for fifth at Doral had won five straight tournaments.
And let us not forget he knows his way around this course pretty well. They've tried to trump up the place, or "Tiger-proof" it by making it longer, but that didn't work.
Yes, folks, look for major victory No. 14 by the end of the weekend. That would leave Tiger only four behind Jack Nicklaus for the most majors ever. I'll say he won't go wire-to-wire, because there's usually some unheralded player at the top of the leaderboard on Thursday.
But believe it or not, I'm going way out on a limb and saying he'll win. My only hope is that Tiger is playing with Rory Sabbatini in the final group on Sunday and leaves him in the dust and muttering to himself once again.
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
It's time for the greatest weekend in the history of sports. We're talking Magnolia Lane, dogwoods, azaleas and Amen Corner. To those of us who worship the game of golf, there's nothing better than Sunday at The Masters.
In fact, it's been repeated many times -- I believe by former CBS commentator Ken Venturi -- that the tournament doesn't even begin until the final nine holes on Sunday.
Perusing the tee times for the first time, it's hard to argue with the majority who predict that Tiger Woods will slip on his fifth green jacket in the Butler Cabin late Sunday evening.
Certainly, there are a number of capable challengers. It wouldn't be The Masters if there weren't.
At first glance, I'd say the most likely to prevent ATC (another Tiger coronation) are Geoff Ogilvy, who outdueled Mr. Woods at Doral a couple of weeks ago, or perhaps the ever-solid Vijay Singh. Maybe, just maybe, it's time for Adam Scott to break through with his first major. Or long ball bashing Henrik Stenson, who has the length to conquer Augusta National.
As much as I'd like to pick our own Zach Johnson to repeat, that's unlikely to happen. Zach, though, will get plenty of publicity this week and he'll be seen on television wearing the green jacket before he hands it over to the winner.
My sentimental favorite is Tom Watson, but he's way past his prime. So is two-time former champion Ben Crenshaw, who used to putt those slick greens better than anyone. Laurel, Neb., native Mark Calcavecchia is another guy I'd like to see win, but he's never been the same on this course since Sandy Lyle stole victory out from under his clutches in 1988.
Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are trendy choices. But Lefty hasn't done much lately and all this golf course does is frustrate the two South Africans. Speaking of South Africans, it's great to see Gary Player back in the field for a record 51st time.
One of these years, Sergio Garcia will finally win a major. But it won't be in the 2008 Masters, simply because a balky putter doesn't cut it on these greens.
A friend of mine will be cheering wildly for his favorite golfer, Jerry Kelly, the pride of Wisconsin. Sorry, Shane, you can root all you want, but it's not going to happen.
Tiger is simply playing too well. Seldom have we seen anyone on a bigger roll than the world's No. 1 player. He finally finished out of first place in his last appearance, but before a tie for fifth at Doral had won five straight tournaments.
And let us not forget he knows his way around this course pretty well. They've tried to trump up the place, or "Tiger-proof" it by making it longer, but that didn't work.
Yes, folks, look for major victory No. 14 by the end of the weekend. That would leave Tiger only four behind Jack Nicklaus for the most majors ever. I'll say he won't go wire-to-wire, because there's usually some unheralded player at the top of the leaderboard on Thursday.
But believe it or not, I'm going way out on a limb and saying he'll win. My only hope is that Tiger is playing with Rory Sabbatini in the final group on Sunday and leaves him in the dust and muttering to himself once again.
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
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