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Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy
I disagree and I don't think you have any particular knowledge base to evaluate the "cajones" of golfers back then versus today's golfers.
The "Chief competitor" is an argument that I've heard before but I chalk it up to "grasping at straws" rather than "very solid."
Is Tiger that far above everyone else skill wise? Absolutely. Some of the shots he even attempts are beyond the ability of most golfers, but to do them consistently? No one can match him. No one has caused the game to change as much as Tiger. He embarrassed the Masters so they lengthened the course dramatically (this was before Tiger adopted new age equipment - remember Mickelson's comments?). At the British Open in approximately 2006 Tiger played irons off every tee and won the tournament because (a) he's smart enough to keep the ball low and out of the wind and (b) he could drive it far enough that it wasn't a huge disadvantage.
Not to mention, Tiger's work on the greens? How many clutch chips or putts has he made? Do those go in because the rest of the field choked?
Tiger is, IMO, already the greatest golfer in history. Once he passes Jack, it will be solidified. But, I guess there will always be those who will dress up a weak argument and discount all other factors just for argument sake.
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As I said name his competitor. Rather than using a lame weak grasping at straws junk address the question. Who is it? Name a player who has come up against him and played his best and been defeated because Tiger was simply better.
Meanwhile there were at least half a dozen guys who could give Jack a run for his money anyday and guess what? He was doing shots nobody else attempted at the time. Driving the ball way down the fairway. Had a huge gallery following him around. Was a super clutch putter. SOUND familiar.
Difference was Trevino, Watson et. al. would just match him shot for shot.
Watching Jack vrs Tom at the US Open at Pebble Beach has no match in Tiger's era. Nothing even close. Two bigtime talents going at it shot for shot hole after hole. That was only one of their titantic struggles.
So rather than show your boy love for Tiger name his competitor? Every great golfer of every generation has been able to play the best golf of his time but some of them actually had to beat other guys who could do it as well.