2017 PGA Tour

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I am on board with 2018 being the year of the Tiger comeback, but maybe we should wait and see if he can physically get through 4 rounds before we declare the comeback a done deal.
 

johnmd20

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The only rust he’s shown today has been lag putting. Blown a few long ones well past the hole.
He has been extremely sloppy in this area. Two of those putts, specifically, were horrendous putts that I would be pissed if I had hit.

But that might just be rust.
 

johnmd20

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I am on board with 2018 being the year of the Tiger comeback, but maybe we should wait and see if he can physically get through 4 rounds before we declare the comeback a done deal.
Obviously you're right, but I will say watching him this year versus last year, he looks different when he swings. Last year, every swing he took, you just felt like it would be his last one and his body parts would just go flying off his body. Even the way he walked was labored.

Today, he looks tight and strong. This might not mean anything but it really seems like his health is way better than it was 12 months ago.
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
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If Tiger can stay healthy he can play. That’s like the biggest “if” in the world though. I hope he decides to play a few lesser events in 2018–that would be great for the tour and might let him sneak away with an easy win (or two).

I did see a highlight of him blowing a drive way right. Did that classic head down, leaning on driver with left side, right arm full point to the right thing. I missed that. A lot really.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Obviously you're right, but I will say watching him this year versus last year, he looks different when he swings. Last year, every swing he took, you just felt like it would be his last one and his body parts would just go flying off his body. Even the way he walked was labored.

Today, he looks tight and strong. This might not mean anything but it really seems like his health is way better than it was 12 months ago.
Yeah; this is my biggest takeaway. It’s great that he’s scoring and he’s bombing the driver - his stats on the tracman are up there with DJ and Bubba and, frankly, kind of shocking - but he just looks like he’s finally unencumbered. He has rotation he hasn’t had in years; they made the point that he had started moving laterally down the path as opposed to rotating and it’s absolutely accurate if you go back and look. The short game will come, he’s hit some nice shots today, despite the putting issues. He just needs reps in actual competition. I know he teased us last year too but it seems more legit this time. The same shot he just hit he went after it with seemingly no hesitation.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Jesus, they’re really going to review the Hideki shot on 18? That’s ridiculous. I thought they just made a solid attempt last year to make the rules less punitive.
 

Deathofthebambino

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I'm so fucking pissed at each and every one of you for having the ability to watch him today and yesterday, while I'm stuck at work and can't figure out how to get my fucking Comcast username/password information to update. I HATE YOU ALL.

Tiger is my favorite athlete ever. It's not really even close. If he's back, even remotely back, well, everything in the world just got a little better as far as I'm concerned.
 

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Jesus, they’re really going to review the Hideki shot on 18? That’s ridiculous. I thought they just made a solid attempt last year to make the rules less punitive.
I think they're going to DQ him from a Silly Season event

EDIT--nope, he plays on. Even though it looked like a violation
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Tiger is +4 through 8 holes today. 4 pars, 4 bogeys.
Haven’t had the ability to watch today, how does he look physically?

I don’t think anyone with reasonable expectation expected him to jump right back, play 5 days in a row plus practicing and stay sharp. He needs to get his conditioning back to really compete.

What I got to see the last two days was him looking healthy, him looking like he was having fun, not laboring and some rust. Which I think is the best anyone could hope for.

I’m assuming we don’t see him again until the Farmer’s (and wonder if we see him double up and play the Waste Management, despite his history there) so hopefully he can spend the next six weeks knocking some rust off, continuing to work on his stamina and then play a few more to tune up for Augusta, with no physical setbacks.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Yeah, I’ve been able to catch the last few holes after getting home from a wake and he looks fine. He had trouble with the wind yesterday too, came up short on a good number of holes. A lot of the guys seem to be having issues with it again today as well.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Yeah, wasn't a good day for anyone today. Charley Hoffman and Berger were the low rounds of the day at -2. Rose, Molinari and Reed were -1, and the rest of the field was even par or worse. As bad as Tiger played (he hit 2 of 12 greens at one point, I think), his +3 was still better than DJ (+4) and Stenson (+5).

I know some folks are saying we've seen this before from Tiger, but I think it's different this time. I think he actually looks good and healthy for the first time during his comeback attempts. This "feels real" this time. Obviously, won't know until we see how the next few months play out, but right now, I'm pretty optimistic, and as long as he doesn't go out and completely blow up tomorrow, I think he's got to have some confidence built up knowing he can play with the big boys again.
 

cshea

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Healthy cut here on 3. Big rip and recoil.

2-iron from 277. Was right on line but got a bit unlucky that it ran off the green and down into a collection area, but he got it up and down for a birdie.

 

johnmd20

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Awesome putt by Tiger there. And he didn't even get hurt on the celebration. Definitely a lot to like this weekend.
 

TFP

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Rickie with 6 straight birdies to start his round. Jesus.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Tiger basically had one bad 9. Very encouraging.
Yep, 40 on the front 9 yesterday was really bad, but other than that, he was pretty much excellent, until the back 9 today. Made double on 10, then made 3 birdies in a row, but then he pulled an Oppenheim and bogeyed 17 and 18.

All in all, I'm pretty damn psyched he's back. Just looking at the names of the guys he did beat this week is pretty impressive given how long he's been away. I hope that instead of taking his time coming back, he actually decides to play a lot of tournaments. The guy has probably been living on the range for months. Get out there and compete. If he stays healthy, you just know he's got it in him to get back to the top.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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I think we won’t see him again until the Farmers. He’s not going to do the Hawaii route, nor should he and I hope he doesn’t jump on a plane to the Middle East again. Then I’m guessing maybe* the WM, but Pebble is the week after and not sure he should try to pull three in a row. So likely back to back two of those as a bigger test. I’d assume he will play the Palmer tournament, then the WGC. Then take a break before Augusta. He definitely needs to compete but he also needs to ease into it a bit. I’m as psyched as anyone that he looked healthy, but I’m happy with it in spurts for a bit if it means he doesn’t fuck himself up again and he can temper himself to compete in the big ones.
 

jercra

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He said in the post-round interview that be doesn't know which tourneys he'll play but that it will be a much lighter schedule than normal. He also said he felt great and knew he could get through 4 rounds because he's already done it in practice. He also said he had trouble with the adrenaline of competition again, which I think is likely the cause of his early lag putting issues.
 

cshea

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I think we won’t see him again until the Farmers. He’s not going to do the Hawaii route, nor should he and I hope he doesn’t jump on a plane to the Middle East again. Then I’m guessing maybe* the WM, but Pebble is the week after and not sure he should try to pull three in a row. So likely back to back two of those as a bigger test. I’d assume he will play the Palmer tournament, then the WGC. Then take a break before Augusta. He definitely needs to compete but he also needs to ease into it a bit. I’m as psyched as anyone that he looked healthy, but I’m happy with it in spurts for a bit if it means he doesn’t fuck himself up again and he can temper himself to compete in the big ones.
I’m guessing he goes:

1/28- Farmers (Torrey Pines)
2/18- Genesis Open (Riviera; TW Foundation hosts)
3/18- API

Then maybe add the Honda, but that is back to back with the Genesis. I don’t think he’ll go to Pebble or Phoenix, those aren’t traditional stops for him, though I’d love to see him in the WMC. He can’t play the WGC’s, he isn’t qualified. Maybe if he asked they would give him a special exemption since he’s won a million of them and he’s a ratings bonanza and I’m sure the sponsors would love it, but as far as I know the WGC’s don’t give out exemptions.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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You’re right, I goofed on the WGC qualifications. I know he has history at Pebble and Phoenix but I think we will see him play one of them to stay in the swing and tune up for the Masters. Or at least I’m hoping.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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I'm fairly surprised he was able to score as he did. The thing I take from the weekend is how he was swinging it and how generally healthy he looked walking, bending, climbing out of bunkers, etc. He genuinely looks like he's got some freedom of movement and flexibility we haven't seen in some time. That is encouraging. I hope he manages his health in a way that he's a full go for all the majors. Anything else is gravy IMO, he'll obviously play, but if he's a legit contender in the majors this year, it will be huge. Like everyone else, I'm hoping we don't see any setbacks until he's like 48. Tiger rolling strong in his mid 40's would be really cool.
 

SoxJox

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I’m guessing he goes:

1/28- Farmers (Torrey Pines)
2/18- Genesis Open (Riviera; TW Foundation hosts)
3/18- API

Then maybe add the Honda, but that is back to back with the Genesis. I don’t think he’ll go to Pebble or Phoenix, those aren’t traditional stops for him, though I’d love to see him in the WMC. He can’t play the WGC’s, he isn’t qualified. Maybe if he asked they would give him a special exemption since he’s won a million of them and he’s a ratings bonanza and I’m sure the sponsors would love it, but as far as I know the WGC’s don’t give out exemptions.
This is CBS' Kyle Porter's take:

  • Farmers Insurance Open -- Jan. 25
  • Genesis Open -- Feb. 15
  • Arnold Palmer Invitational -- March 15
  • Masters -- April 5
  • Players Championship (if he qualifies) -- May 10
  • The Memorial -- May 31
  • U.S. Open -- June 14
  • The National -- June 28
  • The Open -- July 19
  • PGA Championship -- Aug. 9
  • FedEx Cup Playoffs (if he qualifies) -- September

Also: Maybe the Honda Classic in February. Wonders what he'll do if he doesn't qualify for the The Players (will he go from April to June without playing?). With ~14 events, agrees he probably doesn't qualify for World Golf Championships.
 

SoxJox

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According to the PGA Tour website, he qualifies for TPC. Not sure how.

https://www.pgatour.com/fantasy/major-qualifiers.html
Agreed, given that the site lists the following as qualifiers:

• Winners of PGA TOUR events thru the final week before THE PLAYERS.
• Top 10 in FedExCup Points on April 30.
• Top 50 from Official World Golf Ranking on April 30.
• If necessary, golfers outside the Top 10 in FedExCup Points on April 30 will gain entry in order of position to complete the field of 144.
 

SoxJox

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However, the 2017-2018 PGA Tour Handbook lists the following more extensive list as qualifying.

Tiger qualifies for having won The Players Championship in the last 5 years (2013). Edit: Ah..saw Dan Murf's late.


• The top 125 players from the 2016-2017 FedExCup Points List.
• Winners of the Masters Tournament in the last five seasons (2014-2018).
• Winners of THE PLAYERS Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championshipand PGA Championship in the last five seasons (2013-2017).
• Winners of the TOUR Championship in the last three seasons (2015-2017).
• Winners of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and WGC-Mexico Championship in the last three seasons (2016-2018).
• Winners of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in the last three seasons (2015-2017).
• Winners of the WGC-HSBC Champions in the last three seasons (2015-2017).
• The top 50 players from the Official World Golf Ranking through the Zurich Classic.
• The top 10 players from the 2017-2018 FedExCup Points List through the Zurich Classic.
• Winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (2016-2018) and the Memorial Tournament (2015-2017) in the last three seasons.
• The winner of the previous year’s Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship.
• The leading money winner from the 2017 Top 25 Web.com Tour Regular season players using combined money earned on the Official Web.com Tour Regular Season Money List and money earned in the Web.com Tour Finals and leading money winner from the 2017 Web.com Tour Finals.
• If necessary to complete a field of 144 players, PGA TOUR members from the 2017-2018 FedExCup Points List below 10th position through the Zurich Classic, in order of their positions on such list.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Sung-Jae Im shot a -12, 60 today in the 3rd round of the Web.com qualifying event at Devil's Claw. He made 8 birdies and a bogey on the front to go out in 29, and then made 3 birdies and an eagle to come in at 31. Course is playing easy, as he's only tied for the lead at -21, but still an amazing day.
 

TFP

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LogansDad

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I'd prefer it if they changed it to, "The USGA and R&A will no longer respond to TV viewers' calls during tournaments"... subtle change, but I really think it's something that needs to be black and white. Any gray area leaves room for controversy, in my opinion.

Otherwise, good changes, though, for sure.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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I honestly thought they changed he call in rule when they made all those changes recently. It should be none. The more popular players get penalized at an unfair rate on that crap.
 

johnmd20

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I'd prefer it if they changed it to, "The USGA and R&A will no longer respond to TV viewers' calls during tournaments"... subtle change, but I really think it's something that needs to be black and white. Any gray area leaves room for controversy, in my opinion.

Otherwise, good changes, though, for sure.
The word "most" in there is utterly obnoxious. So you won't respond to calls, unless you will?
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
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The word "most" in there is utterly obnoxious. So you won't respond to calls, unless you will?
Yea, this. They should not being responding to anything. Ever. And they really should be saying if the players on the course don’t notice then there is no penalty. The standard should be human eye at all times and not a ridiculous high definition from a dozen angles and in slow motion standard for any player who happens to be on air when whatever happens.