In the run up to the Masters the endless “Is Tiger better than Jack” debate has taken a new twist. A cracking article on ESPN puts forward a very compelling argument that Tiger simply doesn’t have the same quality of competition that Jack had. He has no equivalent of Player or Palmer or latterly Watson and Trevino. Even Ray Floyd won more majors than Phil, VJ or Ernie.
The argument is that Tiger simply isn’t faced with the sort of talent that produced the famous “Duel in the Sun” where he lost to Watson at Turnberry despite the fact that Jack shattered the tournament record.
Like I say – it’s certainly a compelling argument and today’s younger Tiger fans are ranting and raving on the forums against the older crowd who still see no wrong in Nicklaus. There is, at the very least, a strong argument that Nicklaus didn’t have the same depth of field of highly focused athletes (obviously I’m counting Monty out of that category) that Tiger is up against.
Whether it is actually true or not isn’t really my concern though. What fascinates me is the similarities between the two – the way they both come alive on the final day of a major. The way the almost bully and force their competitors to lie down through the sheer weight of their confidence.
I listened to a brilliant tape course by Karl Morris the golf mind guru during my challenge year and it helped me in many ways. One story he told about Jack and belief sticks out though.
Apparently Jack was asked to speak at his son’s University. He talked about how he played and how he had never three-putted on the final day of a major tournament. A young hand shot up from the audience and contradicted him saying that he had actually witnessed Jack three putt on a final day. Jack repeated with no hint of doubt in his voice “I have never three putted on the final day of a major“
“There we go – I never miss those”
The young man replied that he definitely had and actually had the event recorded on video. He foolishly offered to bring it in for Jack to see. Jack replied calmly and steely eyed “There is no point because I have never three putted on the final day of a tournament”
That level of self-belief is simply incredible. He clearly had three putted since it has been confirmed elsewhere but the memory is totally erased from his brain. Just how different is that level of belief from the rest of us? When we are out playing we are so filled with doubt and worry about our game. So confident that we won’t break 80 or 90 or even 100 because that’s not “what we do”.
“I tell you what – I’m pretty good at this”
For Jack and Tiger though it’s the opposite. What they believe, even if it isn’t always based on reality, is win – sometimes by huge margins. If Jack is charging his way through the pack on a Sunday the last thing he needs to consider is that he may three-putt. If he simply doesn’t believe he ever has just how high will his level of confidence be compared to the rest of the pack?
What if you were to adopt an ounce of that confidence and self-belief in your game this weekend or the next time you play or even at work! You can of course just dismiss it and assume that you’re just not like Jack or Tiger. Well neither am I but I do know that the most important thing about my challenge year, despite the words of all those who told me it wasn’t possible, was simply to believe that I could do it. To simply accept that of course I could wipe off 33 stokes in a year if I stuck at it hard enough. Just believe. Just adopt a bit of “Jack denial,” just anchor a few fist pumps like Tiger in your memory and see where it takes you.
Or you could not bother and just be content where you are.
I’ll take Tiger by 3 strokes…
Great article and a great angle on the whole thing. Boy do I wish I had that ability to “set” my face in pure confidence like both Jack and Tiger have.
Seve had it too and Arnie. But I don’t see it from any of the modern guys. You can’t blame Tiger for it obviously but I just wish a few more of them were able to do a “Watson” on him.
We’ll see this weekend. So what’s your take on who will win? Or need I not ask?
I still reckon Tiger would have Jack with similar equipment. But it’s a pointless argument really. Golf would be a whole lot better to watch though if Tiger had a Jack or Seve or Arnie alongside him at every major.
I reckon Tiger will walk the Masters.
Tough talking Mr Scratch. But I do understand what you’re saying. I’m going to work hard at this whole attitude thing. Much of what you say rings very true for me.
Incidentally I loved the first three chapters. Some of it is “laugh out loud” funny. When can I get the whole book?
I agree that Tiger has not faced anywhere near the level of competition that Jack did. In almost every Major you can watch the opponents simply wilt from the pressure on the final day because they don’t know how to win a major. Compare Jacks opponents: Palmer (7 majors 62 wins), Player (9 majors 24 PGA tour wins 166 worldwide wins), Watson (8 majors 39 wins), Trevino (6 majors 29 wins) versus Tigers opponents: Singh (3 majors 31 wins), Els (3 majors 15 wins), Mickelson (3 majors 31 wins), Goosen (2 majors 6 wins). No comparison, not even close. In addition, Jack faced many others that were the equal of the best Tiger is facing…such as Johnny Miller (2 majors 25 wins), Billy Casper (3 majors 51 wins), Ray Floyd (4 majors 22 wins), Hale Irwin (3 majors 20 wins). Hands down, Jack faced more seasoned winners, guys that could handle the pressure on Sunday in a Major. It’s a shame that Tiger doesn’t have better opponents, because it would be great to watch him go head to head on Sunday with a Palmer or Player or, best of all, a Nicklaus. Now that would be something to watch.
Hopefully there is a budding phenom or two on the horizon who will challenge Tiger and bring some real excitement back to Sundays.
Good post Ron
You’re absolutely correct. I’d just love to see someone with the level of confidence that so many of those guys had when they were up against Jack have a real go at Tiger. That’s why I like Sabbatini – he may get it wrong but at least he isn’t going to curl up and just let himself be defeated.
I’d love to see a real competitor from Asia or Europe take it to him though. Something to shake up the whole world stage.
John