PGA Golf 2014 and your game

For the sparse few golf fans on the BB. The "wrap around" season is in full swing (get it?), and Tiger Woods is rapidly fading into "he could have passed Jack". After last year we all thought he may have recaptured the magic with 5 wins - despite no majors - and reclaiming # 1. BUT its a new year and the Tiger is now a pussycat with a surgically "repaired?" back. Its a shame. Golf needs Tiger. Stats show that he is the draw for viewers. Oh well.

On a personal note. On Monday I got out for my first 9 holes of the season at my favorite, local hackers course. Hamilton Trails, a 9-hole a challenging layout with a nice mix of par 3, 4, 5s. First hole, 395 yds, dog-leg left, par 4. I stripe an easy 3 wood 200 yds to the dog-leg, 2nd shot another 3 wood, caught it a little thin, but I'm 5 yds from the green, chip on to within 3 feet, make the putt for an opening PAR! After that. bogeys and doubles and a triple. I love golf.

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As for my "game" (which is played very rarely, and pretty poorly), I did get a par last time in Florida! My best shot of all time was chipping from the sand bunker right into the hole!! ...other than that it's usually triple/quadruple/and whatever's after that-bogeys cuz I tend to strike out a lot (swing and a miss! )

Rory McIlroy is the odds on favorite at 8 to 1 for the Masters.

I like Kuchar, Day or Snedecker.

Did you watch the golf today, MC? How about Kaymer's putt on 17?

I'm officially tired of Rory McIlroy. He's funny looking, too .

So noted, but I think you are going to have to get used to that funny face. Step aside Tiger. Great golf yesterday; better than watching balls roll off the green, or hitting out of 12 inches of rough. With the balls "plugging" on the green, you could appreciate how accurate they can be with wedge. Incredible finish. Phil gave him a scare.

Tiger's pretty much done, MC. Apples and oranges. Tiger has fifteen years on the kid. But the young overthrows the old. It's always the way, right?

I was rooting hard for Phil. And the Fowler kid is really growing on me, too. I used to hate him on sight because of those outfits. But shame on me because he seems like a nice kid.

Of all the guys who came up in the '90s and are now anywhere from 40 to 50 (Tiger's 38, so you can include him), Ernie Els is my favorite by miles. So it was nice to see him make a move yesterday, too .

I said Tiger was done a few weeks ago, but people was having none of it..

Hey DE, do you have any more predictions? Some that I can put money on?

Is Tiger done for good or just this year? I'd say this year. None of us can make a prediction based on his health. There is talk in the golf world that he needs or will get a new coach. One that will fashion a swing that will not affect his back...as much. Tiger swings with such force and torque that something had to give. If he is healthy next year, he can still win, not at the rate he did when he was in his 20's, but he can still compete for a major. He's got too much golf in his head to count him out.

I agree, MC. That's why I said "pretty much done." But Tiger being "pretty much done" is still better than half the field.

I doubt he'll catch Jack now, Major wise. But I do think he'll win another Major at some point, and more than a few "regular" events, too.

Yes, PB. Tiger in his prime had that zoned-in, killer look in his eyes. That seems to be gone now. I did see a little of that look in Rory's eyes. The next few years should be interesting. Golf can be a chess game.