Sitting only two strokes behind a couple of tour rookies, you had to have a creeping suspicion that Tiger Woods would prevail at the Buick Invitational. On Sunday afternoon he turned the two stroke deficit in to a victory by the same margin to give him 7 consecutive tour victories. As he continued his dominance stateside, Swiss tennis sensation Roger Federer stated his case for world's best athlete on the other side of the globe. Federer defeated Chilean Anthony Gonzalez in straight sets to win the Australian Open for his 10th career Grand Slam victory. More impressively, Federer did not drop a single set en route to the championship. The two champions have formed a friendly rivalry with a continued focus on raising the standard for greatness. With their titles on Sunday, the debate rages on over who excels at their respective sport at a higher level. Compelling cases can be made for both but, as difficult as it is to choose anyone over Tiger, Federer's opponents seem to have no chance of beating this guy right now.
Both athletes have accomplished unthinkable feats since turning pro. Neither has conceded the #1 ranking in their sport for several years, nor does it look like either will in the foreseeable future. Each of their professions have unique challenges that make their accomplishments stand out. For Tiger, the depth of the field in golf is unparalleled. At each tournament a new face can have a spectacular four days and compete in any event. He even started to develop a rival in fellow American Phil Mickelson. The tennis world seems to be lacking a true number two player. Rafael Nadal currently holds that distinction, but has only derailed Federer in the French. Many Americans hoped Andy Roddick's coaching change and improved play would give him a shot Down Under, but he proved no match for the world's number one. Federer is riding a career-high 36 match winning streak and does not appear to be slowing down. There's no questioning that Woods has been, and will continue to be, an uncomparable force in golf. However, Federer's incredible odds to complete the Grand Slam in 2007 gives him the slight edge.
Showing posts with label Golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Golf. Show all posts
Monday, January 29, 2007
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Beware of the Tiger
As if Sunday at the Masters isn't enough to get golf enthusiasts excited, play will extend throughout the day due to Saturday's inclement weather. Torrential rain suspended play for several hours today forcing the leaders with the late tee times to play partial rounds. The last men to tee off, Chad Campbell and Rocco Mediate, only played four holes which leaves them with 32 to play on Sunday. When play resumed, players seemed to be relatively unaffected by the conditions. Most of the leaders played in the red in their shortened rounds, but there is a lot of golf to play on Sunday.
The leaderboard is stacked at the top, with all of the big five at two under or better. Campbell still remains at the top, but with only a one stroke lead on Mediate and Tim Clark. His bigger problems lay at three under with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods looming. Mickelson has played well this week, but has cost himself strokes on the greens. His dominating performance at the Bell South last weekend and his solid play this weekend makes him a real legitimate threat going in to Sunday. However, the tournament feels like it is swaying in Tiger's direction. He had several nice up and downs today to save par and send him further in to the red. Through nine Tiger was two under on the day and constantly demonstrating why he is the man to beat. He did not strike the ball particularly well today, but made big saves from the sand and recovered from poor approach shots. Although he is three back, it looks like Tiger will take the green jacket for a fifth time.
While Sunday appears to be shaping up for a classic Phil versus Tiger showdown, there are several other players who could win. Chad Campbell does hold the advantage at this point, but 32 holes in one day and a Tiger chasing him should wear him out. The same goes for Mediate, who's played solid throughout the tournament but could get worn down by a long Sunday. Tim Clark looked very solid on Saturday and at one back could be an interesting sleeper pick. Fellow countrymen, and members of the big five, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els loom at two under. As Jim Nance astutely observed today, Els' lingering knee injury could cause problems in an extended Sunday round. Goosen's game should be lifted by his pairing with Woods, and could stick around late in the day. The last member of the big five, Vijay Singh, has been killed by his short stick. Known for his troubles with the putter, Singh's poor play on the greens will hurt his chances. The same goes for southpaw Mike Weir who has hit his irons tremendously well but has been attrocious on the greens. If the weather continues to be an issue, look for Miguel Angel Jimenez to be a factor. He shot three under through 17 to put himself in to contention and has a reputation of performing under adverse conditions.
Sunday is shaping up to be a classic from Augusta. With all of the big five in contention, along with U.S fan favorite Fred Couples, it should be a great day of golf. My money's on Tiger, but then again, who ever bets against him. I'd love to see Fred Couples, who is sitting just four strokes back at two under, make a push. However, it does not seem likely. Look for Tiger to put on the jacket in a teary ceremony amidst his father's ongoing health issues.
The leaderboard is stacked at the top, with all of the big five at two under or better. Campbell still remains at the top, but with only a one stroke lead on Mediate and Tim Clark. His bigger problems lay at three under with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods looming. Mickelson has played well this week, but has cost himself strokes on the greens. His dominating performance at the Bell South last weekend and his solid play this weekend makes him a real legitimate threat going in to Sunday. However, the tournament feels like it is swaying in Tiger's direction. He had several nice up and downs today to save par and send him further in to the red. Through nine Tiger was two under on the day and constantly demonstrating why he is the man to beat. He did not strike the ball particularly well today, but made big saves from the sand and recovered from poor approach shots. Although he is three back, it looks like Tiger will take the green jacket for a fifth time.
While Sunday appears to be shaping up for a classic Phil versus Tiger showdown, there are several other players who could win. Chad Campbell does hold the advantage at this point, but 32 holes in one day and a Tiger chasing him should wear him out. The same goes for Mediate, who's played solid throughout the tournament but could get worn down by a long Sunday. Tim Clark looked very solid on Saturday and at one back could be an interesting sleeper pick. Fellow countrymen, and members of the big five, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els loom at two under. As Jim Nance astutely observed today, Els' lingering knee injury could cause problems in an extended Sunday round. Goosen's game should be lifted by his pairing with Woods, and could stick around late in the day. The last member of the big five, Vijay Singh, has been killed by his short stick. Known for his troubles with the putter, Singh's poor play on the greens will hurt his chances. The same goes for southpaw Mike Weir who has hit his irons tremendously well but has been attrocious on the greens. If the weather continues to be an issue, look for Miguel Angel Jimenez to be a factor. He shot three under through 17 to put himself in to contention and has a reputation of performing under adverse conditions.
Sunday is shaping up to be a classic from Augusta. With all of the big five in contention, along with U.S fan favorite Fred Couples, it should be a great day of golf. My money's on Tiger, but then again, who ever bets against him. I'd love to see Fred Couples, who is sitting just four strokes back at two under, make a push. However, it does not seem likely. Look for Tiger to put on the jacket in a teary ceremony amidst his father's ongoing health issues.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Release of NFL Schedule and Opening Day at Augusta
The NFL released the 2006 Regular Season schedule earlier today which included a full slate of exciting Monday Night Football games. A few matchups are generating loads of excitement, led by the September 10th Manning Bowl at Giants Stadium and Terrell Owens return to Philly on October 8th. Fans for Cincinnati and the Giants received the worst news with their teams facing the toughest schedules in the league. On the other end of the spectrum, the reigning NFC North champion Chicago Bears have the weakest opponents. As it has been pointed out by analysts throughout the day, it is tough to put too much weight in to the schedule at this point. Injuries and record turnovers make the NFL the toughest league to predict. A 6-10 team can become division champs the next year (ie '04-'05 Giants), and just as easily a conference champion can find itself in the division cellar (ie '04-'05 Eagles). A key injury or two could force a Super Bowl contender out of the playoff picture.
The Monday Night schedule looks very promising with key divisional matchups scattered throughout. On September 25th, the Superdome re-opens as the Saints face Mike Vick and the Falcons. In week seven the Giants head to Dallas for what should be a very important NFC East matchup. The Giants are 0-4 on Monday Nights in Dallas, but will need that to change to hang around arguably the toughest division in football. Cincinnati travels to Indy in week 15 for the most highly anticipated game on ESPN's debut season of Monday Night Football. Last year's regular season matchup may have been the best game of the year with both offenses scoring at will for a 45-38 shootout. Three other games really catch my attention but have received little publicity so far. The first of which takes place in week two with defending Super Bowl Champions taking on Jacksonville, who finished with twelve wins a season ago. In week six Chicago travels to the desert to face Arizona. Some people may be wondering why this game is intriguing, but this is not the same old Cardinals team. With Edgerrin James and two of the game's top young receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, this Cardinals team could challenge last season's top defense. Finally, in week ten Tampa Bay travels to Carolina in a matchup of two division rivals and NFC playoff teams from a year ago. This game could be crucial in determining the NFC South Champion.
Switching to a different gear, today Golf's most exciting major kicked off in sunny Augusta, Georgia. On a side note, USA made a brilliant programming move by airing Happy Gilmore on the channel in the two hours leading to its four o'clock coverage. No golf movie can generate as much buzz for the tournament among younger viewers than this comedic masterpiece. Getting back to the tournament, Vijay Singh played a very clean round, topping the leaderboard at five under. He is joined atop the leaderboard by Rocco Mediate (-4) and Aaron Oberholser (-3), the latter aced a hole during Wednesday's par 3 challenge. Retief Goosen and Phil Mickelson are among a hanful of golfers sitting behind them at two under. Mickelson missed a very makeable, below the hole straight in birdie putt on 18 which prevented him from cracking 70. Tournament favorite and four time Masters champion Tiger Woods shot an even par 72 in a shaky first day. Tiger has said often that the first couple rounds do not make your tournament, but they certainly can broke you. Despite dealing with his father's illness, I expect Tiger to hang around. If he does, the leaders better beware on Sunday.
The Monday Night schedule looks very promising with key divisional matchups scattered throughout. On September 25th, the Superdome re-opens as the Saints face Mike Vick and the Falcons. In week seven the Giants head to Dallas for what should be a very important NFC East matchup. The Giants are 0-4 on Monday Nights in Dallas, but will need that to change to hang around arguably the toughest division in football. Cincinnati travels to Indy in week 15 for the most highly anticipated game on ESPN's debut season of Monday Night Football. Last year's regular season matchup may have been the best game of the year with both offenses scoring at will for a 45-38 shootout. Three other games really catch my attention but have received little publicity so far. The first of which takes place in week two with defending Super Bowl Champions taking on Jacksonville, who finished with twelve wins a season ago. In week six Chicago travels to the desert to face Arizona. Some people may be wondering why this game is intriguing, but this is not the same old Cardinals team. With Edgerrin James and two of the game's top young receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, this Cardinals team could challenge last season's top defense. Finally, in week ten Tampa Bay travels to Carolina in a matchup of two division rivals and NFC playoff teams from a year ago. This game could be crucial in determining the NFC South Champion.
Switching to a different gear, today Golf's most exciting major kicked off in sunny Augusta, Georgia. On a side note, USA made a brilliant programming move by airing Happy Gilmore on the channel in the two hours leading to its four o'clock coverage. No golf movie can generate as much buzz for the tournament among younger viewers than this comedic masterpiece. Getting back to the tournament, Vijay Singh played a very clean round, topping the leaderboard at five under. He is joined atop the leaderboard by Rocco Mediate (-4) and Aaron Oberholser (-3), the latter aced a hole during Wednesday's par 3 challenge. Retief Goosen and Phil Mickelson are among a hanful of golfers sitting behind them at two under. Mickelson missed a very makeable, below the hole straight in birdie putt on 18 which prevented him from cracking 70. Tournament favorite and four time Masters champion Tiger Woods shot an even par 72 in a shaky first day. Tiger has said often that the first couple rounds do not make your tournament, but they certainly can broke you. Despite dealing with his father's illness, I expect Tiger to hang around. If he does, the leaders better beware on Sunday.
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