TheLounge
08-14-2007, 02:39 PM
A lot has been made about Tiger Woods and his assault on Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships. With a round of 69 Sunday on the final day of the PGA Championships, Woods earned his 13th major title.
I think we’re all used to this now: Tiger takes a lead after the third round and refuses to relinquish it while the rest of the field folds in his presence. Sunday, however, that didn’t happen. Tiger was actually pushed and forced to sweat a little bit — and not just because the temperatures at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. reached triple digits.
No, it was the play of Ernie Els and Woody Austin that forced Tiger to stay on his game. I’ve got to say, it was nice to see for a change. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big Tiger Woods fan —*he’s the Nicklaus of my era. But something is lacking when Tiger’s final 18 holes are little more than a procession and coronation. It was nice to see somebody finally push Tiger.
I practically watched the entire final round Sunday and it seemed like every time they went to Els or Austin, they were lining up a birdie putt. More importantly, they were sinking them, which forced Tiger to keep pace with birdies of his own.
When Tiger bogeyed the 14th, it looked like there was a chink in his armor as his lead —*which was as large as five strokes at one point —*dwindled to one.
Could this be the first time in a major that Tiger would choke away a lead? Hardly. In fact, it was a perfect example of what separates Tiger from the rest of the field: His mental toughness. As Woods was missing his par putt, Austin was missing his birdie putt which would have pulled him into a tie.
Who knows what happens then? Actually, I do. Tiger would have won because he does that better than any golfer on the planet. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s the best that ever was.
***
Thank God football is in full swing because if you’re a Bay Area baseball fan, there is nothing left to cheer about.
As I was driving to Reno last week for part of my vacation, I heard Barry Bonds hit his record-breaking home run. After the Giants went on to lose to the Washington Nationals — after the bullpen puked on their shoes once again —*I came to the realization that there is absolutely no reason to pay attention to the baseball season any more.
I take that back. There are some interesting pennant races shaping up, but I definitely won’t be following it as closely as I would if the Giants or A’s were anywhere close to contending.
Football, however, gives Bay Area fans a glimmer of hope. Whether you’re a 49er or Raider fan, there is reason for optimism. For Raider fans, there is the possiblity of being respectable this season —*it can’t possibly be any worse than it has been the last two seasons. It appears everyone is buying into what head coach Lane Kiffin is buying.
For Niners fans, the playoffs are a real possibility, their 17-13 loss to Denver Monday night not withstanding. Coach Mike Nolan continues his rebuilding plan and everything appears to be on track: Alex Smith continues to improve and the team has a ton more talent than it did three years ago.
So, Bay Area baseball fans, feel free to mourn a lost season but it might be better for your psyche to immerse yourself in football.
***
Despite a horrible 6-26 regular-season record over the last two years, the Raiders are one of the best pre-season teams in the NFL. After beating Arizona last week, Oakland improved to 5-1 in preseason games over the last two seasons.
I know, I know. Preseason doesn’t mean anything. But when you’re one of the worst teams in the league, you have to find positives wherever you can. But preseason came be a harbinger of things to come. Look at the Raiders last preseason game in 2006, a 30-7 loss to Seattle. Some say the only point of that game was to get out healthy and not show too much for the first regular-season game. But a closer look at that game revealed a lot: The Raiders managed only 104 yards of total offense. Even in a practice game, that’s pathetic. But it was a sign of things to come. Hopefully Oakland shows a lot more this season.
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117.
I think we’re all used to this now: Tiger takes a lead after the third round and refuses to relinquish it while the rest of the field folds in his presence. Sunday, however, that didn’t happen. Tiger was actually pushed and forced to sweat a little bit — and not just because the temperatures at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. reached triple digits.
No, it was the play of Ernie Els and Woody Austin that forced Tiger to stay on his game. I’ve got to say, it was nice to see for a change. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big Tiger Woods fan —*he’s the Nicklaus of my era. But something is lacking when Tiger’s final 18 holes are little more than a procession and coronation. It was nice to see somebody finally push Tiger.
I practically watched the entire final round Sunday and it seemed like every time they went to Els or Austin, they were lining up a birdie putt. More importantly, they were sinking them, which forced Tiger to keep pace with birdies of his own.
When Tiger bogeyed the 14th, it looked like there was a chink in his armor as his lead —*which was as large as five strokes at one point —*dwindled to one.
Could this be the first time in a major that Tiger would choke away a lead? Hardly. In fact, it was a perfect example of what separates Tiger from the rest of the field: His mental toughness. As Woods was missing his par putt, Austin was missing his birdie putt which would have pulled him into a tie.
Who knows what happens then? Actually, I do. Tiger would have won because he does that better than any golfer on the planet. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s the best that ever was.
***
Thank God football is in full swing because if you’re a Bay Area baseball fan, there is nothing left to cheer about.
As I was driving to Reno last week for part of my vacation, I heard Barry Bonds hit his record-breaking home run. After the Giants went on to lose to the Washington Nationals — after the bullpen puked on their shoes once again —*I came to the realization that there is absolutely no reason to pay attention to the baseball season any more.
I take that back. There are some interesting pennant races shaping up, but I definitely won’t be following it as closely as I would if the Giants or A’s were anywhere close to contending.
Football, however, gives Bay Area fans a glimmer of hope. Whether you’re a 49er or Raider fan, there is reason for optimism. For Raider fans, there is the possiblity of being respectable this season —*it can’t possibly be any worse than it has been the last two seasons. It appears everyone is buying into what head coach Lane Kiffin is buying.
For Niners fans, the playoffs are a real possibility, their 17-13 loss to Denver Monday night not withstanding. Coach Mike Nolan continues his rebuilding plan and everything appears to be on track: Alex Smith continues to improve and the team has a ton more talent than it did three years ago.
So, Bay Area baseball fans, feel free to mourn a lost season but it might be better for your psyche to immerse yourself in football.
***
Despite a horrible 6-26 regular-season record over the last two years, the Raiders are one of the best pre-season teams in the NFL. After beating Arizona last week, Oakland improved to 5-1 in preseason games over the last two seasons.
I know, I know. Preseason doesn’t mean anything. But when you’re one of the worst teams in the league, you have to find positives wherever you can. But preseason came be a harbinger of things to come. Look at the Raiders last preseason game in 2006, a 30-7 loss to Seattle. Some say the only point of that game was to get out healthy and not show too much for the first regular-season game. But a closer look at that game revealed a lot: The Raiders managed only 104 yards of total offense. Even in a practice game, that’s pathetic. But it was a sign of things to come. Hopefully Oakland shows a lot more this season.
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117.