Comments on: The Mystery of Putts http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/ A Rough Draft Blog Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:03:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michael http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-72156 Michael Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:35:17 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-72156 I haven't read the comments, so I assume the Posnanskian mindmeld wonderment has been pointed out (it's like Bill Simmons when he started and before he became so widely read that the Hawthorne Effect kicked in) and I won't repeat that (but it's a pleasure to read and it's also why some sports happenings are not complete until I can read this blog). Two primary points: 1) Minus the element of evil and the Voldemort clouds left to smother Kansas City sports for decades after, I waited for Tiger's chip-in or miracle putt the same way I waited for Yankees' home runs since, say, Wohlers-Leyritz. They were interrupted in 2001 and maybe gone forever in 2004, but I still fully expect them, and, again this year, expect the Yankees to win the World Series. But they haven't come in recent years, and Tiger lost a Sunday lead in a major, and 2) that makes Tiger's accomplishments all the more amazing. 36-1 since Ed Fiori? 14-1 on leading major s Sundays. I was pulling for Yang (and Vijay before that, while he outplayed Tiger on Saturday -- and thought he should have waived his idiot putter during a Tiger swing so that Stevie would throw Vijay's putter in Lake Ovaltine), and I'm happy he won. I'm glad *somebody* overtook Tiger. And that fact that Tiger could have lost any of those 14, which didn't seem possible until this PGA, that he *could* have lost any of those but didn't, that he's human and that the wins aren't inevitable, that 19 is not inevitable, makes his achievement all the more amazing. Thanks, Joe. I haven’t read the comments, so I assume the Posnanskian mindmeld wonderment has been pointed out (it’s like Bill Simmons when he started and before he became so widely read that the Hawthorne Effect kicked in) and I won’t repeat that (but it’s a pleasure to read and it’s also why some sports happenings are not complete until I can read this blog). Two primary points: 1) Minus the element of evil and the Voldemort clouds left to smother Kansas City sports for decades after, I waited for Tiger’s chip-in or miracle putt the same way I waited for Yankees’ home runs since, say, Wohlers-Leyritz. They were interrupted in 2001 and maybe gone forever in 2004, but I still fully expect them, and, again this year, expect the Yankees to win the World Series. But they haven’t come in recent years, and Tiger lost a Sunday lead in a major, and 2) that makes Tiger’s accomplishments all the more amazing. 36-1 since Ed Fiori? 14-1 on leading major s
Sundays. I was pulling for Yang (and Vijay before that, while he outplayed Tiger on Saturday — and thought he should have waived his idiot putter during a Tiger swing so that Stevie would throw Vijay’s putter in Lake Ovaltine), and I’m happy he won. I’m glad *somebody* overtook Tiger. And that fact that Tiger could have lost any of those 14, which didn’t seem possible until this PGA, that he *could* have lost any of those but didn’t, that he’s human and that the wins aren’t inevitable, that 19 is not inevitable, makes his achievement all the more amazing. Thanks, Joe.

]]> By: Jaime http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-71108 Jaime Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:13:51 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-71108 I just want to throw in there that Yang is *not* the first Asian golfer to win a major ... just the first male Asian golfer to do so. I'm amazed in all the coverage of this that the increasingly dominant Korean female golfers are getting no mention. I just want to throw in there that Yang is *not* the first Asian golfer to win a major … just the first male Asian golfer to do so. I’m amazed in all the coverage of this that the increasingly dominant Korean female golfers are getting no mention.

]]> By: HDS http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-71097 HDS Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:17:26 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-71097 I admire Tiger for his golfing ability, but he does not have the graciousness of golfing greats of the past like Norman, Watson, Palmer and Nicklaus. He stood in Yang's field of view on the tees, and quick-walked off the green on 17 when Yang was putting out. I coach high school athletes and we preach "Win with humility and lose with dignity." Tiger has the first part down, but he and Mini-Me Stevie have a long way to go towards the second. Golf is unique among sports. Etiquette is a major part of the sport at all levels and in all situations. Tiger is most often compared with Phil, and many true golf fans respect and admire Phil for the grace and poise he showed on the green at Winged Foot after he lost the Open. I admire Tiger for his golfing ability, but he does not have the graciousness of golfing greats of the past like Norman, Watson, Palmer and Nicklaus. He stood in Yang’s field of view on the tees, and quick-walked off the green on 17 when Yang was putting out. I coach high school athletes and we preach “Win with humility and lose with dignity.” Tiger has the first part down, but he and Mini-Me Stevie have a long way to go towards the second. Golf is unique among sports. Etiquette is a major part of the sport at all levels and in all situations. Tiger is most often compared with Phil, and many true golf fans respect and admire Phil for the grace and poise he showed on the green at Winged Foot after he lost the Open.

]]> By: Mike Chuparkoff http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70349 Mike Chuparkoff Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:48:52 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70349 Absolutely a wonderful column and great read. Loved your writing. Absolutely a wonderful column and great read. Loved your writing.

]]> By: Mike in Mn http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70329 Mike in Mn Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:03:33 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70329 Good one Kevin. I agree, donating millions to charity is more important. That doesn't mean that my point is invalid. Sorry, just bad logic on your part. And, no where did I say this was a moral (or even ethical) issue. I said I was sad that they weren't more willing to interact with their fans, the fans that make them millionaires through their support of the game. And, this wasn't about "rich white people". This was mostly about kids, kids who looked very happy when they got autographs, and very disappointed when they didn't. But, feel free to disagree. That's your right. Good one Kevin. I agree, donating millions to charity is more important. That doesn’t mean that my point is invalid. Sorry, just bad logic on your part. And, no where did I say this was a moral (or even ethical) issue. I said I was sad that they weren’t more willing to interact with their fans, the fans that make them millionaires through their support of the game.

And, this wasn’t about “rich white people”. This was mostly about kids, kids who looked very happy when they got autographs, and very disappointed when they didn’t.

But, feel free to disagree. That’s your right.

]]> By: Technology http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70307 Technology Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:55:51 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70307 Tiger Woods always brings in the fans. Tiger Woods always brings in the fans.

]]> By: BlackFrancis http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70301 BlackFrancis Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:41:20 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70301 Beautiful, Joe....it was an amazing Sunday and you captured it perfectly Beautiful, Joe….it was an amazing Sunday and you captured it perfectly

]]> By: Doug http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70286 Doug Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:25:35 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70286 Joe, I have never read anything that you have written, but will from now on. I have passed this article on to everyone I know that plays the game so they can have the pleasure of reliving the final round. Thanks for the enjoyment. Joe,
I have never read anything that you have written, but will from now on.
I have passed this article on to everyone I know that plays the game so they can have the pleasure of reliving the final round.
Thanks for the enjoyment.

]]> By: Graphite http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70284 Graphite Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:00:42 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70284 Not only a sport, in 2016 golf will be an Olympic sport. Not only a sport, in 2016 golf will be an Olympic sport.

]]> By: Steve http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70280 Steve Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:10:50 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/08/16/the-mystery-of-putts/#comment-70280 This might have been an interesting post, if golf were a sport. This might have been an interesting post, if golf were a sport.

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