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The difficulty in predicting how Tiger Woods will return from his knee injury is that we’re applying what we know about other golfers to Tiger and at this stage, we know Tiger is utterly unlike any other golfer. Ernie Els suffered a similar knee injury to Woods and it’s only recently that he has rediscovered any semblance of the form that made him one of the world’s top players. It was a couple of years ago that Els began on the path to rehabilitation and even now he hasn’t got back to his normal self. That example could be irrelevant, because we’re talking about Tiger and who would have thought he could win the US Open on one leg? Timing his return to coincide with the Masters looks ideal because he knows what it takes to win at Augusta.
Woods’ performance at Augusta will dictate the tone of the season. If he returns to the water like a rehabilitated duck, we can only presume that he’ll dictate affairs along the lines of how he dominated before his enforced absence. If not, Sergio Garcia could be the main player to benefit. In 2008, he was regularly involved at the business end of tournaments, winning his fair share. Bottle is often cited as the reason for his failures, but Sergio showed plenty of bottle in the first place by dragging himself into contention when not firing on all cylinders. His putting lets him down, notably towards the end of the USPGA, but that is one aspect of the game where it’s possible to improve and improve significantly. It’s has been said for the better part of a decade, but 2009 could be the year Garcia wins a major.
Predicting the outcome of the Open Championship requires a precise knowledge of how the wind will blow on any particular day, but Turnberry shouldn’t cause the carnage we saw at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale. Previous tournaments at the course have yielded scores well under par, which may not help Padraig Harrington’s bid to make it three in a row. Harrington has really battled his way to his majors and stayed afloat when his opponents sank without trace. If the task at hand is making birdies over the closing holes, then there are players capable of putting in a late surge that denies him the hat-trick. Anthony Kim is the type of player that comes to mind. He made an impressive start to his Open career by finishing tied for 7th on his debut and if he learns how to carry the burden of expectation alongside his massive ego, then a major is probable in the near future.
He’s not likely to get his hands on a major, but Jeev Milkha Singh is a player to keep an eye on. He has won events on the European Tour in the past, but his steady progress suggests that he is capable of claiming one of the bigger prizes on the Tour – the likes of a Scottish Open, British Masters or European Open – that sort of thing.
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January 8th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Tiger Woods is the golf equilivant of Muhammad Ali.He is the GREATEST and if he comes back from his knee surgery even half the player he was before the operation then the rest of the golfing world better take cover. At least two majors to be won this seaso namely the Masters and the PGA.Cant wait to see Rory McIllroy in the Masters this guy will be a genuine holder of the term greatest Irish golfer mark my words
January 12th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
The greatest lay of all time is Tiger not to win a major in 2009. The masters is probably the one major he wont win because of the undulating course that will test him to the limit.The TV does not show the serious inclines on the course. Tiger may not even tee it up , he is not going to risk his career for Agusta. Sully, I wasnt aware of the term ‘greatest irish golfer’ but i can assure you he will not win as many majors as Pod with his shocking putting.Courses adapt to technology and poor putters always struggle in majors. 2 golfers to follow this year are Arron Oberholser on the US Tour and David Howell in euro zone.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:24 am
This is one of the most stupidest comments I have ever heard Cha, he is the greatest sportsman on earth!
January 13th, 2009 at 11:29 am
greatest sportsman of all time!
won the us open last year on one leg. he’ll make sure he’s back fully fit for the masters, and even if he does miss it you’d fancy him to win at least one of the other majors. the guy is an absolute legend and is light years ahead of anyone else in the game.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:38 am
“The greatest lay of all time is Tiger not to win a major in 2009. The masters is probably the one major he wont win because of the undulating course that will test him to the limit.”
So he should be laid not to win a major but the one he won’t win is the Masters? Makes sense!
January 13th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
just to clear up a few points.Tiger is the greatest golfer the world has ever seen i, i dont think i ever disagreed with that point. From a gambling point of view to lay Tiger not to win a major is not too stupid.Sorry spud i got that extremely wrong gramatically.
January 13th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
What price are you laying Cha?
January 13th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Woods to win a major 4/6
Woods not to win a major 7/2.
So if Tiger is gone majorless up to the PGA you can back him straight at probably 3s to win it and you will have him backed at 7/2 not to win it.Thats the good bet im talking about.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:00 am
cha - can i have €60k on woods to win a major at 4/6, and also €22,222.22 on woods not to win a major at 7/2?
total stake €82,222.22 - returns €100k regardless of result. cheers big man!
January 15th, 2009 at 1:28 am
ha ha dont be sending ur cv into paddy powers anytime soon cha giving those kind of odds but i will hav some it as well if its goin cheers
February 12th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
me too, and double it. Tiger Woods is one of those sportsmen we will be able to tell our grandchildren and hopefully great grandkids as well about. He is defnetely the best sportsperson of this century. The gift he has is beyond anyone else. Yes Padraig is excellent, but at this stage, wont win anything near Tiger. Tiger, Georgie Best, Michael Schumacher, Mohammad Ali, Pele, Tony McCoy, Michael Phelps. Legends in our lifetime. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, STEVIE G. Ha Ha
May 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
tonton once a smart arse always a smart arse