The Decider: Tiger vs. Phil - Who's Your Boy?

The emotion and cussing don’t bother me much so long as he doesn’t direct it at another player, official, or fan. The intimidation is fine, because I like gamesmanship (that stops short of breaches of etiquette, like coughing in someone’s swing). The poor interview I could care less about.

That said, I always root for Phil, too, and am a fan.

I’m with Eagle – it’s Tiger. While there isn’t a golfer on any professional tour I don’t enjoy watching and can learn from – when I want to see the best, it’s Tiger Woods. Shot-wise, most guys on Tour have the ability to hit the same shots Woods hits – but they can’t/don’t do it under the gun. He is the guy who, when he gets in trouble, you almost expect him to pull off the shot he needs, no matter how unlikely.

Mickelson is a trick shot artist, but when the pressure really gets turned up, he is just as likely to miss as he is to make. IF everything falls into place, he is almost unbeatable – even by Tiger – but he doesn’t seem to have that mental gear that Tiger has – that “refuse to lose” ability to pull off what he needs when he needs it most.

I have talked to a few on the Tour who don’t like Phil whatsoever due to his fakeness with the public and private.

Tiger is one of the most well-liked for a reason even excluding his success on the course

I tend to root for the underdog and sympathize with golfers who have had setbacks (i.e. Greg Norman) so I’m a Phil fan. Phil’s aggressive style is appealing, but as we saw in the 2006 U.S. Open that can turn against him. I think Phil’s problem in the clutch, and the reason he doesn’t do as well as Woods, is that he overthinks things, especially around the greens. With some more short putts dropping at Augusta this year, and without the disaster on 12, Phil could have won a third green jacket in one of the most stunning major comebacks of all-time.

I respect Tiger’s ability and his performance under pressure, but I’ve just never been a big fan of his.

I’m new to the Waggle Room here… didn’t know it existed until I did some exploration on SB.

While I’m sure I haven’t been following professional golf nearly as long as those of you…. I have a great deal of admiration and respect for both of them. Both have great competitive spirits, yet both also show their human sides which is really missing from other professional sports these days.

Both great golfers and human beings…. I root for them both, but not before Justin Leonard :)