The 2008 U.S. Open seems like centuries ago but Butch Harmon still has some stuff to say about it. When interviewed by the The Bangkok Post this week, Tiger Woods' former coach said that Tiger better hope that the '08 victory at Torrey Pines doesn't end his career. Well, something to that effect.
"We hope that what he did by playing at the US Open with a broken bone and a problem with the cartilage in his knee, we hope that doesn't take away his chances to win it (the record), but we don't know," Harmon said in an interview.I mean, I guess it is easy to agree with Harmon. If Tiger comes back fine, it's a round of "Wow, you're incredible" and if he is never the same we can all shake our finger at him and say, "You are stubborn, why chance it?" As competitive as Tiger is, I don't think a pack of wild boars and an alien invasion would have kept him off Torrey Pines last summer.
"We'll have to wait and see. It's either the most phenomenal feat ever in the game of golf or not a very smart thing if he played and he doesn't come back healthy," he added.
Now, we get to see what a healthy knee and some time off can do for him. Personally, I think this will go down as the best thing to ever happen to Tiger. The more I think about it, the more I believe that even Woods could have gotten burned out by the tour. Now, he has enough time off (and some younger competitors stealing the spotlight) that he can come back with a vengeance and have something more to play for.
Enough of my two cents. Butch also thinks Tiger will have to do something about his swing in the future to take some of the grind off his left knee.
"I would think so [that Woods would make a swing change], to be honest with you. It's the fourth operation on the same knee and this is the most extensive that they had to do," he said. "But then again he's Tiger Woods-he's the greatest player that's ever walked on this planet."On this planet? I don't think it is fair to compare our best golfer to, say, Jupiter's. You can hit it forever with that type of gravity.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-12-2009 @ 9:28PM
Sieben said...
IMHO he should have never played that event 08 US Open
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2-12-2009 @ 9:29PM
Shane Bacon said...
Even after winning? He would have had to get the surgery anyway, so why not go out and try to win on your favorite golf course? Just my two cents.
2-13-2009 @ 9:24AM
Johnny said...
I think that win was one of the greatest victories in sports history, given his condition.
And look, Tiger's not stupid. He's not going to come back to the game until he's damn good and ready and knows he's on a warpath to kick some serious ass again.
I agree with the Baconater. He knew he could make it through one more tourney before getting that OP, and it happened to be the US OPEN at TORREY PINES... no way he wasn't giving it his all for that one.
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2-13-2009 @ 9:23AM
Andre said...
I think it was an amazing feat. I also agree that the time off has given Tiger a chance to rest and scope out the competition and set some new goals. It seems all of the old guys (Phil) have gone backwards and the new young guns are emerging. And you know how Tiger likes a challenge. Can't wait to have him back.
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2-13-2009 @ 12:04PM
Scally said...
Tiger mentioned that his knee is much better than before. With that, someone on the forum says it ritht, "Tiger will be back to give sosme serious WHIPPING."
And I can't wait to see that. Hopefully soon.
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2-13-2009 @ 1:57PM
chrismichno said...
Tiger knows two things, his golf swing and his body. He knew the risks going in, but honestly the only thing he made worse was cracking the bone, the ligament was already gone. The bones have healed by now, the ligament was surgically repaired, and it's time to get back to work. I'm just looking forward to seeing a new and "improved" tiger who can actually get to his left side. I think the only question left is how high the ratings will be when he announces his return event.
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2-15-2009 @ 9:59AM
skoolbeans said...
Yes.
Grit determination won Tigar one of the most covent prize in sports. He really has nothing left to play for. I just hope he doesn't end up like Jack, with hip replacement, And injuries that will hurt him after playing days.
I believe you will see less and less of Tigar, And just see him go after Majors.Any way you cut it, He is and always will be best!!!.
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2-15-2009 @ 12:32PM
tomomick said...
He is not the greatest of all times, how about Jack?
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