Brandel: Tiger's Practicing Diligently, Don't Rule Out Masters

The Golf Channel's pre-Masters teleconference call included this from Brandel Chamblee, writes G.C. Digital fresh from a two-week tour of Myrtle Beach's best courses.

G.C. writes:

“If you can believe anything that you read on social media – I know that his coach has been down there, and they’ve been hitting a lot of golf balls down in Palm Beach. The way I understand it, he’s been practicing quite diligently. So it wouldn’t surprise me if Tiger showed up at Augusta National.”

For his part, Montgomerie said that if Woods does show up, he hopes fans don’t see the 14-time major champ bowing out after “77-78 and going home from there.”

Comments

[PABoy]

I have an inkling that Tiger's endorsement deals have valuable incentives tied to playing The Masters and that is why we will see him there.

[Hardy Greaves]

PABoy,

I think that you are right, and it won't be pretty.

The circus goes on.

[Bill]

ROFLMAO...BAHAHAHAHAHAHA BAHAHAHAHAHAHA BAHAHAHAHAHAHA...A PIPE DREAM....

[jjshaka]

As PABoy said, if Woods shows up it's to wave the flag for his sponsors.
Hell, it would be big news if he doddered out to the Par 3 for one of his kids.

[Press Agent]

The odds makers over at www.tigersfanboyz.com have him as the favorite to win.

[Press Agent]

April Fools isn't until Saturday.

[MattS]

The thing I took from the pull quote is that he is still working with a coach. It's nice that the average fan (judged by being me) can't even remember the name of his coach. Hopefully that bodes well for Tiger to be able to concentrate on golf.

- - - - - - - -
To be clear I think Tiger is done with winning golf, and I hope that he is able to enjoy his kids the way I'm enjoying my young son.

[going low]

what if he showed up and hit a bunch of soft 3 woods? if ZJ can win at Augusta, short-Tiger can be relevant. He should resolve to play old man golf and compete with brains and accuracy. Ego gets in the way but I sense a maturity developing.

[John]

Really hope he doesn't show up and shoot 77-78. One thing to do that in Dubai or a run-of-the-mill Tour event, but doing that at Augusta tells the world that you're toast. Much better to not show up and keep 'em guessing.

[David]

I heard Tiger might be teeing off to open the Masters alongside Nicklaus and Player...

[D. maculata]

Imagine what it would be like to be the best player of your era, if not arguably the all-time best given the short career segment, to feel comfortable with perpetuating a money-making myth of a return to competitiveness. If there ever was a gullible sandwich served on enabler bread, this is it!

[Brandon]

He's going to show up and he's going to win - Notah Begay

[Keith - NYC]

Not going to be sucked in by all this pre-game BS again.....if TW shows up to play that's great....if he doesn't play that's OK too....can't imagine him being a factor in the tournament itself...but it would create a lot of buzz from Monday to Friday and that is what the GC people want -- more stories to beat their gums about.....the bald guy would pitch a tent.

[Buck]

Keith +1

[JGW]

Wouldn't 77-78 at Augusta be a much better showing than what he put up at Dubai?

[Manku]

I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the days when the only coverage was the back nine on Saturday and Sunday!

All this pregame garbage, par 3 contest, endless shows, and then 24 hour coverage for the four days is overkill, IMHO. I get that I don't have to watch, but like a moth to the flame....

[The O]

I've never played there, but my impression is that ANGC requires a fair bit of precision in ones play. Is that remotely possible when he hasn't played competitively in months? Of course he knows the course, but that can't really be enough, can it?

[Bruin]

If Patrick Cantlay can win again Tiger sure can.

[hslrckt]

If Montgomerie's comment is meant to be a sly callback to his infamous comments after the second round of the 1997 Masters, that would be awesome. Sadly, I doubt it is.

[digsouth]

Rust never sleeps....


take off, Hoser


dig

[HBL]

I hope he plays. If he makes the cut, great. If not, too bad. ANGC just isn't as much fun to watch since they "tiger-proofed" the course. I'm hoping that D Johnson plays and wins, without hitting one driver.

[Jupiter]

I agree that it's all about keeping sponsors happy. No way he can show up and compete at this point... but my wife would remind you that I've been wrong many times before on a variety of topics.

My guess is that if he shoots 77 on Thursday, as stated above... there would be no Friday round as his commitment to his sponsors would have been met and his back would immediately and conveniently go into spasm mode.

My glutes are firing just thinking about all of this.

[Confused]

Guys on here are why I consistently make money betting against the "favorites" in golf. My god - how could a guy like Danny Willett ever win the Masters?? He's not DJ, Rory, Jason or Jordan. Must be a typo.

Also, I find it curious that the only posts that get removed are the ones defending (or at least not bashing) TW. If you guys detest him so much, why take the time to post? Change the channel.

[johnnnycz]

Wish him well...in that he can get around 36holes and actually post some scores...and prayers for his devoted galleries that they don't get beaned too hard or often.

[marmooskapaul]

MEH??? how many times did Arnie..Player or whatever over the hill past champion show up and play with no chance to win. People still like to see him/them tee it up?

[Press Agent]

LOL @ Confused. 'Consistently making money betting on golf.' Thanks for the laughs.

Put your money where your mouth is, go place a big bet on Tiger. LOL.

[Golden Bell]

Forget the golf swing for a moment. Can his 70-year-old back handle the hills for several days in succession? Down 2, down 6, up 8, down and up 9, down 10 and 11, up 14, up 17 and 18.

[Confused]

@Press Agent

Why are you laughing? You don't believe it's possible to make money betting on golf (or other sports)?

FYI - I have already put a wager on TW. There's a variety of wagers to choose from, in case you weren't aware. I also get my wager back if he doesn't start.

As I mentioned previously .. it seems to be people like yourself that make it actually possible to make money betting on sports. Keep on keepin' on.

[Keith - NYC]

OK guys, I'm all ears because I rarely win any money betting on golf.....so let's get on the record here with a few 'favorites' to steer away from and a couple of good 'Danny Willett' type longshot bets to load up on for next week...as an aside, Paddy Power has TW odds to play at Augusta as Yes = 11/5 and No = 3/10.....elsewhere, Ladbrokes has TW currently at 66/1 to win and Willett at 100/1.....DJ sits on top at 5/1 with London punts...who do we go with?

[Keith - NYC]

...and it looks like Vegas has TW at 125/1....that's quite the spread vs UK odds...?

[PG]

http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2017/03/transcript-masters-espn-media-conference-call-2/

[Confused]

@Keith

UK odds generally always shorter on golf since they have a LOT more overall action being wagered (on golf).

Not sure if I really want to get into values on here, lol. That being said ... The Masters has been the tournament I've made the most consistent money on, mostly because the field is so small (but most of the "prices" remain similar to a full-field event).

Maybe looking at winners isn't the way to go? Can you get any action down on top 20/10? If you check the middle guys right now (middle as in "odds") .. there's some definite value in there.

[Edward Brumby]

I loved having the opportunity to watch Hogan and Snead long after they had a chance of winning. It would be great to see Tiger play again. Maybe pair him with Couples and Langer.

[Sal Bonpensiero]

Jupiter, Congrats, for the first time you completed a post without one mention of Dr Galea.

[KLG]

When did Patrick Cantlay win again?

[John C]

Is Brandel pushing some fake golf news? And it's not even April 1.

(Preparing for the 12:01AM stories that night nevertheless.)

[Bill Wilson]

The state of golf media today, I urge everyone to read this.

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/where-have-all-the-golf-writers-gone

[Bruin]

Copperhead

[Patches O'Houlihan]

Keith-NYC - My thought about Augusta are usually to see who has game at Riviera and some form afterwards. I hate favorites, but it points to DJ.

For long shots, I look for guys with a lot of nothing and some recent form. Like Charley Hoffman, 4th at Riv. and 2nd at API. 150-1 at Bet 365 for the Masters and somebody I'd consider in an each way situation. I worry about the 66-68-71-break your heart 74 profile but that's why they call it gambling.

Tiger? Wouldn't use him in a $2 Draft Kings lineup.

[Keith - NYC]

OK thanks to Confused and Patches.....sounds like it might be a good idea to look at the 'middle of the pack' in odds to win the Masters and see if there are any obvious players that have showed recent form in other events against good fields and then try to get some odds on them for a Top Ten finish ?.....maybe a player like P Casey? or A Noren? or J Thomas?