BBC - 606 - - A30642095 - What's in store for 2008?

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What's in store for 2008?

by Jamie L - BBC Sport (U1647523) 03 January 2008

Just as the new year begins, so too does the new USPGA Tour season, and some of the multi-millionaires competing on it are not happy.

Vijay Singh says it is too early in the year to start the 2008 Tour, but had he been back in Europe they would have begun in early November of 2007!

Are there simply too many tournaments? Will this saturation lead to a lack of interest from spectators and televison viewers?

Should other formats of the game be played more by the top players rather than the regulation 72-hole strokeplay for the majority of the year?

So what will 2008 bring in golfing terms? There were first-time major winners in the first three big events last year, before Tiger Woods, second in both of the first two majors, restored order by claiming the USPGA.

Woods looked in awesome form at the end of last season and has spoken of his hunger for greater success in 2008.

Are there enough potential major winners to stop him taking one of the big four prizes for the first time since 2004, and is there anyone who has the capabilities to get close to his top ranking?

Phil Mickelson appeared to have discovered the art of winning majors having claimed the Masters twice in three years and also the 2005 PGA Championship, but since imploding at the 2006 US Open he has not made the significant advances expected.

And what of the current crop of British players? They are all no doubt well aware that there has been no winner from the British Isles since Paul Lawrie's surprise Open triumph at Carnoustie in 1999.

While Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and David Howell have failed to take that elusive, sizeable step from talented tour player worth a few quid to major champion, Justin Rose has improved consistently in recent years.

Does he represent Britain's best chance of a major title? How influential might Irishman Padraig Harrington's marvellous Open win at Carnoustie be on the younger players?

What of Harrington? Few would disagree that he has worked assiduously to achieve his success, but now that he has won his major does he have the game and the desire to press on and capture more? Can he challenge the world's elite players consistently or, like Lawrie, will one major be his limit?

And how will the prodigious teenager Rory McIllroy fare? Can the precocious Irishman really qualify for the Ryder Cup? Is it too soon to plunge him into the cauldron that is the bi-annual battle with the Americans, or is his youthful, buccaneering style exactly what is needed to help Europe retain the crown?

Let us know your thoughts on all the protagonists and anything else you think might occur as we embark on another season.

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comment by Nick the Slasher Mcgurk (U7151767)

posted Jan 18, 2008

Hey thereev, Adam Scott making another awesome start in Abu Dabi eh?

You were so right haha!!!

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comment by GolferAPJ (U10898760)

posted Jan 23, 2008

I think VJ is being selfish, the tour has a good number of guys not earning vast amounts who need every chance they can get to bring in some cash. Having said that too many Tournaments on the box can lead to boredom, especially with the strokeplay format which at times lacks exciting viewing. Tiger Woods will not win all four Majors in a season, he is no longer consistent enough over a long stretch. Someone mentioned Tiger having natural talent like Garcia .I think his narural talent has been honed over twenty years of coaching, Seve had natural talent.
We have a good chance of a home grown major winner to follow Padraig, they just need individual belief, something they have in abundance as a team player when the Ryder Cup comes around.

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comment by U9469485

posted Jan 23, 2008

Adam Scott wins this week ....no danger!!

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comment by Nick the Slasher Mcgurk (U7151767)

posted Jan 24, 2008

GolferAJP - You talk almost as much rubbish as thereev. To say Tiger lacks consistency simply lacks credability. Do you actually watch any golf?

Other than Woods Winning a major and being 2nd in 2 others and winning almost every other tournament he played last year, when else was he inconsistent? Have you seen the world ranking points?

It really annoys me when people who know nothing about golf come out with unfounded comments in an attempt to sound like they know something everyone else doesnt.

So Woods is indeed only good cause he has a good coach. The fact that he was breaking 90 when he was 6 doesnt suggest there is any raw talent to account for his 13 majors at all.

Idiot.

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comment by cldblue (U8894032)

posted Jan 27, 2008

masters-woods us open-woods open-daly uspga-woods

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comment by Dr_Hotdog (U1767061)

posted Feb 1, 2008

I think Tiger might win the Bridgestone, just a hunch.

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comment by superhutchy123 (U7073761)

posted Feb 7, 2008

Tiger for 3 out of 4 Majors, The USPGA being the only one he doesnt get.
he is just so much better than anyone else and, most probably, the best golfer that ever lived.

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comment by cleverkengolf (U11040478)

posted Feb 11, 2008

The big news in golf this year is that The Vale of Llangollen Golf Club Celebrates its Centenary Year. Any other news about Tiger pales into insignifigance

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comment by hookergreig (U11042385)

posted Feb 11, 2008

Woods is a magnificent Golfer and comments suggesting otherwise are crazy. To arrogantly suggest he will not win all four majors is silly.

Garcias natural talent hasnt won him any majors.Tiger hits shots no one else can - no coach can teach that.

AJP TALKING RUBBISH!

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comment by nibbrasto (U11119471)

posted Feb 22, 2008

Tiger has always been ahead of the field but has never won 4 majors in a calender year.This year will be no different.There are too many variables,even for the great man.

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