MSU Red Cedar Message Board

I root for golf to have a transcendent figure. Right now Tiger returning to dominance seems more likely than anyone else getting there. By extension, I root for Tiger.

I'm going to take a different approach to this one. Everyone is talking about comparing era's of golf between Tiger and Jack. You just can't do that. The only way to get an accurate comparison is to have Tiger hit the same equipment that Jack hit in his prime. See how he hits the ball. Can Tiger still shape the ball the way he needs to. How will he fare not being able to hit the ball 330 yards. This, in my mind, is what separates the two golfers. Jack's competition was probably a little more skilled. Overall, I don't really look at the number of wins, but the true measure of greatness was how often he finished second or third (in addition to the wins). Nobody will ever touch that record.

Lets also not forget Tiger's connection to PED's (doctor out of Canada that was convicted of providing PED's to MLB players that Tiger had been "seeing"). If there are any doubters, simply look at pictures from the early 2000's (even the SI cover "Too big for Golf") and compare them to what he looks like now.

For my money, its Jack #1 and Tiger #2

I just watched some video of Tiger from 2001 and he doesn't look that much different from now. Even now it's obvious he's in fantastic physical condition and is lean and mean.

By the way it was easier to shape shots in Jack's day than now. The balls spun a lot more back then. The key is everyone plays the same basic equipment. They compete on a level field and Tiger still dominates the same as Jack did back in the day.

America loves second, third, .... acts. And he drives TV ratings!

Jack and Tiger judge themselves by Majors.

Wins: Jack 18; Tiger 14
2nd: Jack 19; Tiger 5

And the 2nd places show the real difference between the two. Jack finished in the top 2 in 37 majors - basically 9+ years finishing in the top two in every major. Jack was consistently at the top of his game for a longer period of time.

Tiger's best was better than Jack's best.
But Jack was more consistently the better player over his career.

persimmon vs. metal.

That's not what I said. He was cold, robotic and a Dick to everyone...including the guy
giving him a boatload of money.

He can be like however he wants to be, that's fine and I don't care. I wasn't disrespected or anything when I shook his hand. Doesn't mean I have to promote him as anything other than what he is. Just giving you my personal opinion of the guy I met some 15 or so years ago.

One day, if he's not careful, the demeanor I witnessed will burn a bridge his talent won't be able to repair. It probably already has.

Considering Nicklaus was 46 when he won his 18th and final major, I would say that Tiger has a good chance of getting to 18 majors. From the age 36 to 46 Nicklaus won 4 majors, which despite Woods taking a year off puts him on pace to tie Jack.

Tiger would be shaking in his golf shoes if he had to battle the likes of Tom Kite on a weekly basis. You're a clown.

No question but my point is that to Jack it's a worthless stat.

I ain't jelly brah, I just don't like the cat and I have a hard time understanding how people do. It's like rooting for OJ. Only a little better.

Like I said earlier in this thread, I've only had one encounter with him, which was at the PGA Championship several years ago. He was super nice to me and even gave me a fist pound after making a long birdie.

I don't doubt that he's been cold or a dick many other times to people. But since i don't know him personally, I'm not going to let his character get in the way of rooting for a great golfer.

True but he wouldn't be hitting a 7 iron 195 yards either. I know the courses were shorter but technology has made golf a much easier game. Go out today and play a 6000 yard track with 1975 equipment, let me know how it goes.