Thursday, June 14, 2001
Nothing will stop Tiger Woods
By Buck Harvey
c.2001 San Antonio Express-News
TULSA, Okla. — Rifle through the bag.
Separate the water balls from the good ones. Remove the club-head
covers, the worn Sof-Joy gloves, then reach.
There in a bottom pocket, mixed with a few
cracked tees, are the reasons Tiger can lose.
Broken tees, broken reasons. Can any of
these hold up?
The longest hole in U.S. Open history.
Why this could bother Tiger: Par 5s are
usually par 4s for him, and now he will be reaching in three like
everyone else.
Why this won't: His third shot will be a
chip from the fringe.
The leading money winner on the Asian tour,
Thongchai Jaidee, spent 11 years in the Thai army as a paratrooper.
Why this could bother Tiger: Jaidee kidded
this week, through an interpreter, that “Woods is half-Thai,
and I'm all Thai. The world hasn't seen what a full-Thai player
can do.”
Why this won't: Jaidee got it wrong. Tiger
isn't half-Thai. He's half-machine.
The Oklahoma heat.
Why this could bother Tiger: Native Californians
don't know what it's like to slap on the SPF 45, then walk Mission
del Lago at 4 p.m. in June.
Why this won't: This native Californian
is in better shape than anyone in the field.
The threesome of Mickelson, Duval and Love.
Why this could bother Tiger: The odds say
that one of them won't yip.
Why this won't: History says all of them
will.
Marital issues.
Why this could bother Tiger: Papa Woods
says Tiger should stay single because “a wife can be a deterrent
to a good game of golf.” Jack Nicklaus says Tiger needs someone
to share everything with. What's a bachelor to do?
Why this won't: “When I feel the time
is right, the time is right,” Tiger said. “Whether that's
going to be next week or 20 years from now, I don't know. But
I know I will enjoy that part of my life whenever it happens.”
The threesome of Huston, Durant and Roberts.
Why this could bother Tiger: Maybe the profile
that competes with Tiger the best is the PGA Tour grinder who
long ago abandoned legendary dreams. Phil Mickelson is hung up
on Tiger, but is Scott Hoch?
Why this won't: Tiger beat this profile
before — Bob May at the PGA.
Old (really old) friends named Michael Jordan
and Charles Barkley.
Why this could bother Tiger: According to
reports, Jordan and Barkley have rented a house in Tulsa for the
week. Won't Tiger be distracted by these geezer groupies?
Why this won't: Tiger knows them for what
they are. “I worry about (Jordan) and what an 82-game schedule
would do to his health, and I've let him know that,” Woods
had said. “I just want to make sure it's the best decision
for both of them, whatever they decide.”
Southern Hills.
Why this could bother Tiger: Tiger not only
knew the last Open site, Pebble Beach, but he could get away with
the big miss there. Southern Hills' trees will punish Tiger.
Why this won't: So Tiger wins by five instead
of 15?
Bad memories.
Why this could bother Tiger: Earl Woods
suffered a serious heart attack the morning of the second round
at the 1996 Tour Championship — at Southern Hills. Tiger
shot a 78 that day, still his highest competitive round as a professional.
Why this won't: Two days later, his father
stable, Tiger closed with a 68.
Finally, Tiger himself.
Why this could bother Tiger: Isn't he the
only one who can stop himself from winning?
Why this won't: Four majors and counting.
Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address)
of This Story to A Friend:
|
