It Will Be Tiger Again

I know what you are thinking. "Wow...gutsy call Lobeck." And I have to say I would be thinking the same thing if I were in your shoes.

But as they say, it is what it is, or in this case, it will be what it will be, which will be Tiger's 12th major.

Woods is undefeated when heading into the last round of a major as the leader or co-leader. If it were any other player, I would question the ability of the leader to bring this one home. Why? Because Medinah is playing like a normal PGA TOUR stop where birdies rule the world. Combine that with trying to bring home a major and you have problems. (How bummed out if The PGA of America right now? -14 after three rounds??????)

The leaders will need to continue making birdies. These greens are like big mounds of play dough and these guys are throwing darts at them. No pin is out of reach when you have zero roll. Usually pars rule the majors in the final rounds, but the guy who takes home the Wanamaker today will need 5 or 6 birdies minimum.

But, this is Tiger. He has a mindset and an approach where he will modify his game to match the situation. And golf is all about the frame of mind. Get this. Woods has won as many majors as Weir, Donald and Ogilvy have won tournaments on The PGA TOUR....COMBINED.

I do look for Donald to play well. He is a pretty cool character...but at what point do you start pressing when you are hitting 5 and 6 irons when your competitor is hitting 8 and 9 irons? Oh, and your competitor isn't just some long-hitting guy, it's Woods.

I will also predict that someone a few strokes back will post a great number and keep things interesting. In fact, I believe Johnny Miller's 63 could be at stake. The forecast is cool and dry, but there is no way those fairways and greens will dry out to the point of presenting a test worthy of a final round in a major.

Be ready for a shootout with Woods riding off into the sunset with his third Wanamker.

P.S. Here's another prediction for you a year out. Next year's PGA Championship setup will border on unfair as compensation for this year's birdie binge. Remember the winning score of The U.S. Open the year after Miller shot 63 to win? I believe it was called "The Massacre at Winged Foot" and Irwin stumbled away with the trophy at +7.

What is Pelz Thinking?

Hello....earth to Pelz. What the hell are you thinking? What are you trying to accomplish? What do you think you can gain for your player by stating that Mickelson is "the best" when his long game is in shape?

First, let's address the logic of the comment. Granted, Mickelson is a short game wizard. His flop shots and chipping skills are a pleasure to behold. He averages 28.92 putts per round compared to Tiger's 29.72 putts per round. But, you also need to consider the fact that Tiger is "numero uno" in greens hit in regulation, while Mickelson is 135th. It would only be logical that Mickelson would have fewer putts.

Secondly, and more importantly, why the "h - e - double tooth picks" would Pelz say what he said? Hasn't there been plenty of proof that Tiger uses these sorts of comments as motivation? Remember the "Tiger Who?" logo on the side of the hat of Vijay's caddy? Tiger dispensed of him in quick order.

Remember the Match Play Championship earlier in the year? Stephen Ames stated that Woods "manages to win tournaments as bad as he hits it." The result? Adios Ames...9 and 8, courtesy of Mr. Woods.

And there are other instances I won't bore you with. I think you get the drift. My suggestion to Pelz is this. If you really want Mickelson to have the best chance when going head to head with Tiger, focus on the short game and take a lesson from history when it comes to your quotes.

Advantage Tiger.