I just want to position a few perspective on what we are seeing at Valspar this week. We appear to be lacking the entire picture due to the fact we're forgetting some critical things.
For example, since Phil has been mentioned many times because of his win in Mexico, we need to remember that Phil isn't just overcoming the effects of age. Phil still has psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and, although he is using medicine, both are incurable. My understanding is that he can still have flare-ups, even with treatment. So some of Phil's inconsistency could be the result of occasional pain.
Rory, Jordan and Henrik all neglected the reduce this week but this isn't always just a matter of being in a hunch. It's real that Jordan's teach Cameron McCormick said Jordan is just trying too hard proper now, but we must also do not forget that Jordan that had a case of mono in December and -- I can say this from revel in -- you experience rundown for pretty a while, even after you're reported "well." I suspect a few horrific behavior from that restoration time have labored their manner into his recreation and it is a easy count number of operating them out.
As for Rory and Henrik, each dealt with rib troubles late final yr and, despite the fact that both played nicely of their ET starts, conditions here in America are specific from the ones inside the Middle East. (Henrik didn't play as well in Malaysia either, his ultimate ET occasion earlier than coming here.) It's going to take some time to modify to Bermuda grass, and that's why they are here early -- to get prepared for Augusta.
Tiger, in the meantime, is playing the Honda and Valspar at the grass he is been practicing on considering the fact that he started swinging once more. You might also have heard him say that he didn't recognise how he'd do at Bay Hill subsequent week because he hasn't putted on bent grass in a while. But he is enhancing a little every week, and has found out that staying power is his friend proper now.
What precisely does all this mean to the young weapons, who've made no secret that they'd like to face the "old" Tiger (and probably the "old" Phil as nicely)?
Even although I anticipated Tiger to go back to form if he changed into healthy, I didn't assume him to be at this factor till plenty later this 12 months. And whilst Tiger is gambling well on those difficult courses, he's really now not prepared for the shootouts he used to win with regularity. I suspect Tiger may be in quite properly form for Augusta -- as will Phil -- surely because each men tend to play well there, irrespective of what their games appear to be somewhere else.
But regardless of the entirety I've just written, I think the younger weapons need to be a bit fearful -- no longer terrified, just fearful. JT ran the tables remaining weekend in Mexico however he nonetheless couldn't stop Phil from prevailing, and a assured Phil is a risky Phil. He now KNOWS that what he is been running on has him again in shape, and he has Tiger to push him once again. Those two are already speaking about inspiring each different, and these children do not know how powerful their rivalry may be as they reassert themselves.
As for Jordan... The reality is that this: An admittedly less-than-recovered Tiger just blitzed you by way of nine strokes on a route he hadn't seen in 22 years, whilst simply 9 months in the past he wasn't even sure he'd play once more. No rely the reason in your struggles, you can't sense right about this. The equal is going for Rory -- never have to someone who spent multiple years getting better from lower back surgical procedure beat you by means of that many strokes.
Rex Hoggard noted that, after Tiger made a high-quality play on Friday, Henrik glanced over at him and raised an eyebrow as if to mention "I've seen this earlier than." I can believe Jordan feeling the energy within the air and asking Henrik if it become this bad earlier than, simplest to have Henrik smile and say, "No. It become worse."
Reportedly, Martin Kaymer lately asked Adam Scott at dinner if Tiger had truly been that correct... To which Adam absolutely laughed.
I don't expect Tiger to win this weekend, and I do not assume modern leader Corey Conners to win both, although I anticipate both to hold their games collectively and finish properly. This week can be a self belief builder for each players, but I suspect there's simply an excessive amount of expertise too close to the lead for them to triumph over it. This week, that is.
But Tiger and Phil are surely sending this younger organization of superstars a message, and that message is:
We've been sharing our knowledge with you, attempting to help you develop and end up the players of the following day... However now we intend to educate you WHY we realize this stuff. Now the tough instructions begin.This isn't about intimidation, folks. I don't think Tiger or Phil gives a damn whether the kids are intimidated or not. Because, you see, you don't have to be intimidated to get beaten black and blue by our game.
And I think the younger guns are simply starting to suspect that their dream of dealing with the legends wasn't a in particular smart one.
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