The next Nicklaus
I used to remember watching golf in the '80s. Back then, TV commentators regularly tried to predict who would become the "next Nicklaus." At one point in time, Hal Sutton, Scott Verplank, Gary Nicklaus, and even John Daly at Crooked Stick were all compared to Jack Nicklaus. Besides having blonde hair, all were respectable golfers--some more than others. Hard to imagine that John Daly would become the most successful golfer, in terms of majors, out of that group!
Although Tiger Woods is still very young (31), you practically never hear any commentator talk about the "next Tiger." I think the reason is very simple: Tiger sets the bar, he will never be matched in talent, determination, and charisma. Except for his driving accuracy, it's hard to think of any area where Tiger has shortcomings. And it's hard to dislike the guy when he's so gracious in both victory and defeat, never really saying a bad word about anyone.
The bottom line is that there will never be the "next Tiger." Tiger's it.
11 Comments:
Hunter Mahan is the new David Duval.
Rory Sabbatini is the next Gary Player...or maybe Gary Player is the next Rory Sabbatini...both need to be quiet.
"gracious in both victory and defeat"...did you say "gracious in both victory and defeat"?
Oh, nurse. He is a suck when he loses! Leaves the course, sulks, refuses interviews. Excuses galore.
Jack was the one who enjoyed the battle and was gracious when he did not win.
And, another thing. Records are made to be broke. Your hero may be God to you, but someday....!
This is my vote for worst golf thread post of the week.
Anonymous 3:29 -- I am so on board with you, pal. Make that two votes.
3:29, can you name one Major this year in which Tiger refused an interview after losing???
You can't because he never refused any interview. Get your facts straight.
The only people who really discuss topics like "the next so-and-so" are commentators and companies that advertise product. Right now, they're still busy milking the current Tiger for all the press and promotion they can while he's still in his prime.
When Tiger starts to reach the latter part of his career, he'll be giving these people less to talk about, so they'll need something to fill up the newspaper columns and airtime and commercials. Then you'll be hearing all about "the next Tiger".
Look at the crisis that happened in the NBA when Michael Jordan retired. Suddenly every ballplayer who could dunk became "the next Jordan".
It's irrelevant to me who the commentators think the next Tiger could be. When that person appears, we'll know who he is.
anonymous 6:25, I'm so on board with you. There are a bunch of Tiger-naysayers out there who will never stop, no matter what he does.
Never stop what, 6:59? Having a memory that isn't selective?
It's not about being a Tiger nay-sayer. It's about not being a suck-ass who is completely immune to any info that doesn't promote Tiger's god status NO MATTER WHAT. Give me a break. I remember at least a couple of times this year where he played not great (for him) and didn't want to serve himself up in the press tent immediately after a so-so round to a bunch of reporters who were going to ask him, really seriously, to explain a few missed putts or bad shots. I don't blame the guy. Take a pass on the press. Fine by me. But that doesn't mean he didn't refuse the interviews. He is human. If you want proof, hopefully you can recall that he was too tired to play this week. Get off your knees, man.
"I used to remember watching golf in the '80s."
Now you forget....anyway, how could anyone make such comments - All Tiger, all the time - and also claim to have seen any golf before Tiger.
I doubt you knew much about golf until you heard the words made famous by programmers everywhere, but claimed as original Tiger words,(kinda like he claims Chi Chi 3 wood chipping and bouncing balls off a wedge)
Hello World.
3:32 Anonymous: Wow. You mean there's someone else on this blog who didn't drink the Kool-Aid? I thought me (8:22) and 3:29 (whoever that is) were all alone.
you guys seem to have found your soulmates on this ridiculous blog. go out and make homo love to each other you curly haired girly men.
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