Bunker Mentality: Easy Tiger

Eurosport - Thu, 06 Aug 07:26:00 2009

Tiger Woods completed his 'fortnight slam' at the Buick Open, with a hollow victory that told us little about his chances at the US PGA Championship.

Tiger Woods, Buick Open 2009 - 0

Woods's fourth win of the season was as uncomplicated as they come. A weak field barely stirred to life and his partner on Sunday, Michael Letzig, literally melted in his glow.

It says something when Woods is throwing balls into the galleries. Either he's been listening to criticism of his on-course behaviour, or this was far too easy...or both.

Letzig had been blown away by the red-shirted one at the Memorial, but this time he simply shot a 73 and let the script run a predictable course - much to the delight of a raucous Grand Blanc crowd.

After missing his first cut in three years at The Open, Woods's win had the feel of a defeated heavyweight champion returning with a routine knock-out against a bloated journeyman. It was wildly predictable.

But numbers are numbers. The victory represented his 69th on the US PGA Tour and the fourth time this season he's been in the winner's circle two weeks prior to a Major.

Woods's 'fortnight slam' started with the Arnold Palmer, two weeks before the Masters; then the Memorial, two weeks before the US Open; then the AT&T, two weeks before The Open; and finally the Buick.

The first three proved false dawns. Woods was a peripheral figure at Augusta and Bethpage, and by the time Stewart Cink lifted the Claret Jug you'd almost forgotten he teed off at The Open.

Considering the Tiger economy runs on Majors, that's the kind of form that gets the doubters doubting.

But this week Woods will go up against a stellar field at Firestone (the entire top 10 will be there), with a chance to strike a resounding blow to those who are starting to question his Jack-hunting credentials.

If he wins there surely the doubting will cease, but one man who needs no convincing of Woods's form heading into the US PGA Championship is Letzig.

"I thought if I could get it going maybe he would be beatable, but he just doesn't make mistakes. And when he does make mistakes he recovers," Letzig said.

And that was Tiger on an off day.

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Watch the Legends Reno Tahoe Open on British Eurosport 2 starting Thursday 6th August at 11.30pm (Sky 411 / Virgin Media 525); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Thursday 6th August 11.30pm LIVE on British Eurosport 2

Friday 7th August 11.30pm LIVE on British Eurosport 2

Saturday 8tht August 11.30pm LIVE on British Eurosport 2

Sunday 9th August 12am LIVE on British Eurosport 2

Will Tidey / Eurosport

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  1. This is one of the most ridiculous articles I have read­ about Tiger in a long time. Let the doubters continue­ to doubt. The man has already achieved more than almost­ every other golfer apart from Jack Nicklaus. Even if he­ does not win another major he will still go down in­ history as one of the greatest. Please write more well­ plausible articles

    From sademoroti, on Fri 7 Aug 6:46AM
  2. Tiger is tiger... he is the best. Hope he can win the­ PGA in 2 weeks time.

    From Koyki, on Thu 6 Aug 8:53AM
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