While the residents of Hooville debate whether the three-point shooting of the men's basketball team or the local blizzard is icier, it has been the golfers of the PGA and LPGA Tour that have created quite a stir over the past week.
For starters, Phil Mickelson referred to Tiger Woods's Nike equipment as inferior during an interview with Golf Magazine last week. Attempting to flatter Tiger, Mickelson stated that the world's number one ranked golfer was the only player good enough to "overcome the equipment he's stuck with," obviously a derogatory comment towards Nike golf.
Despite the misguided attempt at a backhanded compliment, Mickelson's comments obviously were stupid to make. In four less years on the tour, Woods not only has 14 more career PGA Tour victories than Mickelson, but also eight career Major victories to Phil's goose egg.
It would be like Craig Ehlo telling Michael Jordan that he's the only player good enough to overcome those inferior Air Jordans. Or if Juan Gonzalez said, "imagine what Barry Bonds could do if it weren't for that substandard Louisville Slugger he carries around." Like any toothless hockey player pointing out that Wayne Gretzky's skates were the only thing holding him back.
You get the analogy. Inferior players simply should not demean the quality of a superior player's equipment -- even if his tools are sub-par. By calling out his equipment, you are in essence calling out the player himself. Now although Tiger and Phil kissed and made up before this past weekend's Buick Invitational, Mickelson learned first hand that it was unwise to taunt a sleeping Tiger.
In Hollywood fashion, Mickelson and Woods were paired together for the Buick's final round on Sunday. Although there was no overt display of any remaining uneasiness between the players, Tiger did plenty of talking with his so-called inferior equipment. After entering the day with a two-shot lead, Tiger ran away from the rest of the field to post a victory and a score of 16-under. Meanwhile, Mickelson finished six strokes back at 10-under in a tie for fourth.
So what impact did the equipment really have? Not much. Mickelson actually out-drove Tiger with an average driving distance of 299 yards to Woods' 298 and was more accurate off the tee, hitting the fairway 51.8 percent of the time to Tiger's 48.2 percent. But as any good golf enthusiast would tell you, when it comes to winning and losing on the course, it is the short game that's the key. As the old golf saying goes, "You drive for show but putt for dough."
This past weekend's Buick Invitational proved to be no different. While Phil out-shined Tiger from the tee box, Woods averaged 27.3 putts per round to Phil's 29. Over a four-round tournament, that ends up being a little over six strokes for the tournament -- not coincidentally, the same amount Mickelson lost by.
Although Tiger's driving ability certainly sets him apart from the average golfer, it is his short game, namely his chipping and especially his putting, that makes him so special. Tiger finished the Buick with the best putting average of the tournament, a feat he frequently accomplishes when on top of his game. With his putter (and not his "inferior" driver), Tiger vaulted himself to 5th place on the money list after only one tournament. Ironically, the Buick's second-place finisher Carl Pettersson also is a Nike user. His putting average, of 28.5 per round, during the tournament ranked 11th.
Golf is a sport where one's short game (within 100 yards of the hole) is more important than how far you can drive off the tee. This makes golf unique because it is one of the few sports where pure physical strength, speed or agility is not always as important as technique and mental fortitude.
This is why I believe golf's other leading headliner, Annika Sorenstam, has a good chance to surprise some critics with her performance at the Colonial in May. After accepting an invitation to become the first woman to play a PGA event in 58 years, many analysts and fellow golfers remain skeptical of Sorenstam's ability to compete with her male cohorts.
Sorenstam has dominated the women's tour for some time now. Last year she finished in the top ten in 20 of her 23 appearances, including 11 victories. While most people are focusing on her 265-yard driving average (over 30 yards behind Tiger and company), they should consider Sorenstam's high-quality short game. If Sorenstam putts as well as she is able to, then she certainly can stick with any male challenger come May. Even though she cannot drive for as much show, she can certainly putt for the dough. No matter what equipment she's using.
Read More
Women’s basketball goes scoreless in the final three minutes of a 68-65 loss to Louisville
By Xander Tilock | 2 hours agoThe Cavaliers have now lost three straight ACC games.
The Cavaliers run, jump, and throw their way through the Penn 10 Elite
By Caroline Wulff | 3 hours agoVirginia runners turned in quality performances against competition from the Ivy League, Big Ten and other prominent conferences.
No. 5 women’s tennis wins ITA Kickoff Weekend in thrilling final
By Gracie Genereux | 4 hours agoVirginia defended its home court in the regional qualifier.
