REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS when Tiger Woods was the No. 1 golfer in the world and always seemed to win at the Blue Monster? (Doral, that is. White-sand bunkers, lots of water.) Tiger collected hardware on three consecutive visits, from 2005 through 2007.
The above highlight package from the 2005 tournament is a case in point. Tiger chased down Phil Mickelson in a thrilling final-round duel that wasn’t decided until Lefty rimmed out his birdie chip on the 72nd green.
Times have changed. Boy, have they changed. The automobile sponsor has gone from Ford to Cadillac. Tiger’s game has gone from Cadillac to Ford.
Tiger, now world No. 5, and Phil, now world No. 6, will be grouped in the first two rounds of this week’s Cadillac Championship, a World Golf Championship event featuring 69 of the best players from around the globe. The top 21 players will be grouped according to world rankings, which means Tiger and Phil will be joined by world No. 4 and reigning U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell. The top three of Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald will also tour the Blue Monster together on Thursday and Friday.
Can Tiger or Phil reprise their mid 00’s dominance and swagger? The question hangs in the air like a weak approach shot in a stiff Florida breeze.
−The Armchair Golfer
Hey!! As a loyal Ford owner, do I need to point out which company did NOT declare bankruptcy? And which company is not controlled by the Federal government?
Tiger should be proud to be called a "Ford" 😉
How about focusing on Kaymer, Westwood, Donald dueling it out. They are better players right now. How about GMAC? He is kind of an important equation in the Tiger and Phil match. I am sick of hearing about Tiger and Phil. Let's focus and give credit to the best players in the world right now – who just happen to be not named Tiger or Phil.
Maybe Tiger's new swing will be "Built for the Road Ahead."
Yeah you're right Mark, who cares about Tiger and Phil, the two biggest and most entertaining players in the game. I'm sure the TV audience would be enthralled if they weren't in the field at Doral.
For as long as they're swinging, they will continue to be the highlight of every tourney they enter. If you don't like it, you're of the absolute minority and shouldn't watch.
But you do touch on a point of Gmac. He ups the ante in that group BIG TIME and it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit to see him light it up.
AJV,please Tiger & Phil are not the 2 most entertaining players in the game currently.This is 2011 not 2009.
People watch Tiger & Phil for what they did sometime ago,both of 'em at present can't seem to replicate anything entertaining currently so I am with Mark on this one.