Profile / Craig Dutton / 29 January 2008 / 4 Comments

Betfair blogger Craig Dutton on the Woods effect...

Isn't it funny what interesting tangents are reached during drab conversation on mediocre horseracing? Now there's a sentence you won't see replicated. Drudging through last week's evening racing was torment (incidentally, as I was typing racing I mistyped, and replaced the c with a v. Oh, the irony of poor touch-typing). To fill time on the TV show, the presenters got round to Tiger Woods, who had just begun his route to dominating the Buick Invitational, building on a 67 he had shot on the first day. They were discussing his dominance in recent times, and more specifically how unbeatable he seems from the front.

The crux of the discussion was this: whilst many golfers have two or three gears, which they move through when they see the finishing post in sight, or in some cases, move down as they see the finishing post in sight, Tiger Woods has only one gear. That gear just happens to be full pelt, at all times. As a result, his performance in tournaments can often be learned from his start. If he starts well, look out, because he isn't going to fade away. Conversely, if he doesn't start well, as he is always playing to maximum potential, there is no reason to suggest he will challenge for the honours as the weekend progresses.

So, what to make of that? It makes a lot of sense, but it doesn't really take in the factors that result in Tiger dominance. I do agree with the 'one gear' assertion. It would be hard to accuse Woods of phoning it in during many tournaments, an accusation that you could level at some other players - not to say they don't want to win, but at the end of a long, hard season you can see the foot come off the gas.

Woods gives the impression that he is giving his all, all of the time. Whether that is always his best, no-one can predict. As masterful as Woods can be, no one can produce their best game on every occasion - if he could, he would win every tournament without fail. At 100 per cent, he is undoubtedly the best player on tour, but not all of the time.

You would have to say though that Woods' position at the top of the leaderboard affects his competitors just as much. You've shot a 68, you walk into the clubhouse content with a good, solid round, and that tree you hit on the 12th is fading in the same way your drive didn't. You see the scores, and Woods is one ahead. It must be a crushing experience. Every player is well aware of Woods' ability to strap himself in at the top of a leaderboard - which in turn has an effect on his disheartened and defeated competitors, which opens the chasm even wider. As the rounds progress, as he's drawing away, why bother going for that risky chip when a two-putt will at least keep you in the prize-money? It may be that Woods has an uncanny ability to quench his fellow competitors' thirst and abate hunger of his for a championship, such is the stature of the man. He should be wheeled out for dieting seminars immediately.

Comments (4)

1. Educated Bet | 30 January 2008

   If there is anyone out there who can tell me that he is not THE BEST GOLFER EVER TO PLAY THE GAME, please do and give me some examples...I will be waiting.
   Peace... Iron Mike

2. Joe | 30 January 2008

   Ummmm, Ian Poulter seems to think he's as good as Tiger! But then again he's a numpty so ... there's no-one Iron Mike I'm afraid.

3. sarah | 30 January 2008

   I don't quite understand the comment "At 100 per cent, he is undoubtedly the best player on tour, but not all of the time" !!!!!

   What do you mean by "but not all of the time"? Do you mean he is not 100% all of the time or do you ment he is not the best player on tour all of the time?

   FWIW he is the best player on tour. He might not always be 100% but a lot of the time he doesn't have to be, but he is still the best player on tour whether he wins or loses.

4. Jerry | 31 January 2008

   Remember the movie White men can't jump well white men can't play golf the way Tiger Woods can either and those that disagree, well they have to get over it.

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