Alright...next week Tiger comes back at the WGC-Match Play Championship in Arizona. Even though it is match play and he would only be playing against one golfer in each round...who would you pick to win this event...Tiger or someone else?

Someone else. I'm going to be honest, I'm surprised he's coming back next week.
For starters, he's never been great at match play, (probably because when he eagles a par 5, it only counts as a 1 hole win).
Second of all, knee injuries are scary. I would be nervous playing golf on one this far "ahead of schedule." Like they were saying on sportscenter, what if he's gotta stand halfway in a ditch or sandtrap to hit a shot? Whoops, there goes another 9 months. I guess we can only assume that this won't be the first actual round that he's playing, and that he's tested it out in different situations.

can't wait. this will get him right in the one on one sunday type situations.

I think it's a great decision. For starters, he'll probably lose in the second round and maybe even the first. If he were to come back in a regular tourney, he'd be looking at a possible four round venture.

Also, since it's match play, if he does have an extremely awkward stance or a lie that could injure him, he could just pitch out sideways or take an unplayable lie penalty and drop knowing that decision affects him on that hole only.

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For starters, he's never been great at match play

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BWAHAHAHAHA! Go ahead and just slap yourself.

31-6 career record at the Match Play
6-3-1 in Ryder and Presidents Cup singles matches
11-1 mark in PGA Tour playoffs
3-time U.S. Amateur champion from
3-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion

Tiger Woods would not come back unless he felt he were capable of winning. Hell, he won that legendary US Open with stress fractures and torn ligament in knee. Now, the Match Play can lead to surprises at any time. He's lost in the 1st round before. I don't think rust will be his big problem. Stamina will be his biggest obstacle. Especially if he makes it to the weekend and plays 36 holes on Sat. and Sun.

[This message has been edited by GigEm01 (edited 2/22/2009 1:19a).]

Gigem I am thinking the same thing. He is GREAT at match play.

And though he may be "ahead of schedule" for a normal person, he isn't normal. His plan when he first took off was to be back in time for the Match Play and that is where he is at.

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he's never been great at match play

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We are talking about Tiger Woods not Tigger and Pooh!

I can't wait!!!! The only golf I have watched this year was Sunday of The Buick.

DVR is set and recording Golf Channel HD at 1pm.

First hole Birde!!! Go get em Tiger!

Anywhere to watch online?

this ESPN blog is following Tiger
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/columns/story?columnist=sobel_jason&page=liveblog

Birdied 1 to go 1 up
Eagled 2 to go 2 up
Conceded Bogey on 3, back to 1 up

he conceded the bogey, but he had a bogey too. He is still 2 up through 3.

How is nine months "ahead of schedule"? Football players return in less time.

He wouldn't be playing unless he was healthy, and ready. He even said he could have returned earlier but his son was born earlier this month and that delayed him.

Starting off in this event is perfect because even if he plays horrible and loses early, well, you can blame it on match play format, where crazy stuff can always happen. But if he goes deep and possibly wins, he will be praised for the best comeback ever, even though he only had to beat 6 golfers instead of 100+. It's the absolute perfect situation for him. It's no lose. Plus, as someone else mentioned, if he does go out early, he gets some rest.

Or you could go check out veetle and watch it over the 'net

http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=489e78e9b8936

Thank goodness for two monitors at work.

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For starters, he'll probably lose in the second round

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