Behind the Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, August 31, 2006
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| Photo Gallery

Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

‘That’s just Tiger’

The crouching Tiger strikes again!

After passing a field of notables in the golf world the previous weekend (August 19-20), Tiger Woods did it again in grand fashion at the Bridgestone Invitational at Akron, Ohio, this past weekend.

In the former contest which was the PGA Championship, played at Medinah, Ill., the contest was so top heavy going into the final round on Sunday that the PGA of America had to hastily draft a plan for a multi-player playoff after the regular rounds of 72 holes.

On the third day, Woods had tied the course record and also caught up and tied participating Brit, Luke Donald. They were both 14 under at the end of the third.

Anyway the committee had deigned if there should be two or more players tied after the first 72, a three-hole playoff, starting at the 16th then to the 17th and 18th, consecutively, determining the winner by aggregate score. If a tie was still on after that then play would flop from the 18th back to the 16th, etc., in sudden death fashion until a clear winner emerged.

Not to worry. Tiger took care of that.

At the Invitational, it seemed as if Woods was giving everyone a chance to catch and pass him in the second and third rounds.

The fourth and final round on Sunday in Akron brought all the drama that any golfer wannabe could ask for.

Woods was the clear leader at 11 under and headed toward the clubhouse in relaxed fashion when he bogeyed a couple and allowed one of his playmates, Stewart Cink, to catch up. It was high anxiety after that. They were still both 10 under after three sudden death holes.

They teed for the fourth and then the rain started. The torrential downpour sent everyone scurrying for umbrellas and rain jackets.

Although I watched, I still don’t see how Woods was able to win it on that fourth, and last hole.

As one courseside commentator said when asked the same question: “Oh, that’s just Tiger.”

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
Questions, comments, corrections: south@dixie-net.com
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page