Now that's an adorable bromance!
On Thursday Tiger Woods posted his first thank-you note blog entry on his website since winning the Chevron World Challenge a few weeks ago (and more importantly, breaking his two-year victory drought). He recaps his success in Australia and says he’s hitting “quality golf shots,” etc., along with more snooze-worthy news — until he gets to talking the Presidents Cup and U.S. captain Fred Couples.
When Tiger got to Royal Melbourne for the Presidents Cup, he thought it was interesting that his teammates were so welcoming and wanted him there. Yet, some in the public and media nearly started riots because of Freddie’s decision to select Tiger as one of the two captain’s picks. It’s clear Tiger is truly appreciative and thankful that Freddie had his back, and it won’t be forgotten that Couples believed in him when few didn’t.
Tiger also thinks it’s strange that some people don’t believe Couples would make a good Ryder Cup captain. He disagrees and touts Freddie for the position:
I’ve heard people question whether Fred would be a good Ryder Cup captain, and I just don’t get it. I think that Fred is a great captain. Whether it’s The Presidents Cup or the Ryder Cup, it doesn’t matter.
The way he keeps us loose and how much fun we have — it’s just great to play for him. He’s a lot more competitive than people realize. He just doesn’t show it. He shows it with us around, but the public doesn’t see it.
Couples for captain in 2014? Well, he certainly has an influential guy leading his (potential) campaign! Freddie already has my vote.
These guys should get a room.
Gotta agree with Tiger on this one.
Freddie was wise enough to choose Tiger when many did not believe in him and Tiger proved Freddie right by playing impeccable golf on Sunday, closing out Baddeley to secure the point that clinched the cup for the Americans.
Wow, kind of getting sick of people (and now Tiger himself) bragging on Tiger for “clinching the Cup”. Its just dumb luck which guy actually clinches it based on the timing of other matches and such. He scored a good point, lets leave it at that.
@Brian S: it’s not totally dumb luck, you actually have to win your point
Yes the clinching point has a lot to do with timing, it’s still probably a lot of fun to get. When you hit the winning shot, the other points were equally necessary to getting you there.
It was because of Woods’ losing record that set him up to “clinch” the cup. If he and Stricker would not have been beaten like a drum on day one, and if Woods’ had not putted absolutely atrociously on day three, it would have been Furyk “clinching” the cup two groups ahead of Woods on day four.
The larger point is about Fred Couples and his decision in picking Tiger for the team so early in the process. I thought it was a great move although widely criticized in the media and amongst the haters. By selecting Tiger early Fred also gave notice to the other Americans that there is only one position available — so you had better get your game sharp. Now to Tiger’s point, there is no question that Fred would be great as RC captain. Unlike our previous captain — Fred would have the players loose/relaxed and not over-think the process.
One of the best decisions made by Couples was to play Phil with Furyk (an experienced player). During the RC Phil smothered DJ to the point the guy couldnt make a putt.
I believe and apparently so does Fred — that rookies play better when they are out with another young player — much less pressure. Just point them to the tee box and let them play.
Side Note: I still don’t understand why Cory decided to take social media away from the young players during the RC. The PGA needs promotion just like any other sport and this was a huge mistake. You must connect with your fans.
@Marky Mark Clearly you didn’t watch the early matches or you would know that Tiger didnt get much help from Strick nor DJ during those matches. And the International team in both early matches played very well.
Any objective person watching Tiger’s play throughout the week would agree that he played very well.
Fred has proven to be a good captain, and being named RC captain would mean a lot to him. It would also be a popular move.
Nice to see Tiger going to bat for Fred, after Fred did the same for him
@Frankie, I’ll pass on the Koolaid you are serving.
You say “Any objective person watching Tiger’s play throughout the week would agree that he played very well.”
On day three fourball, Woods missed nine putts from 15 feet and in. And, he logged 34 putts in total. To claim that he played very well thoughout the week is factually wrong. Also, he was pedestrian at best in his other two losses. It’s a team game. Either Couples buggered up on the pairings, or Woods didn’t come through and lift his team mates. And, Woods should know – in September, he shot 78 at the Notah Begay Invitational and his partner Suzann Petersen shot a 68 to carry him so they didn’t finish last.
Marky Mark
you missed the part where he said ‘any objective person’ he wasn’t talking about you
@longirons – your Urkel Underoos are getting a bit tight and it shows.
Tiger lickers like you are hardly ‘objective’
@ Marky Mark – you clearly don’t know a damn thing about golf you ignorant, insecure infantile tool. Go back to sucking your thumb and watching infomercials at 2am. Have a nice day!
Ny observer, are you for real? Who cares who clinched what point Tiger played great and he is looking like the Tiger of old . . The best if 2nd best player of all time.
Marky Mark,
Get a grip of yourself lad. Go have a stiff drink.
Hey guys, let’s keep it civil in here.
Goose, gander?
Talk about short memories from you all. Tiger’s opening day blowout loss was possibly the worst team performance in memory. He did ok on Friday but still lost. But you all think it was his partner’s (both of them) fault? If this was a regular tourney, TW would have been slamming his trunk on Friday afternoon, just like at the PGA. He had 1 real nice round, 2 stinkers, and 2 more ok. Play like that next year and you should have a similar season to Ernie Els.
Brian S, assuming Tiger plays 15-17 official events on the PGA Tour in 2012, how do you think he will do?
Cuts made? Top 10′s? Wins? Major wins?
Your thoughts?
hmmmm Mr. New York Observer sounds a lot like a certain Mr. Del the Funk.
He’s someone else who loved to play 20 Questions with posters.
It is smelling a bit funky here all of a sudden.
@Brian S – I think you hooked him!
My prediction for Tiger’s remaining career is that he will essentially descend from the transcendentally great to just great. So he will have a Phil like career here on out. He will win 2-4 tour events a year, make the cut the vast majority of the time, and contend in most majors, taking a serious run at it at least 2 times/year. I guess he wins 3 or 4 more majors, mostly Masters, and falls short of passing Jack’s record – maybe a tie. That is assuming no more lost seasons due to injury, which is a big if – that knee isn’t there for the long haul. How’s that?
ps. Just because I predict it, I don’t have to (and don’t) like it. Nothing to do with his martial issues, but my hope is that he never wins again, esp majors. I certainly won’t be pulling for him.