WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT TIGER

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  • April 9, 2008

This is what the golfing fraternity at Augusta had to say about Tiger Woods and his pursuit of a Grand Slam:

This is what is being said at Augusta about Tiger Woods and his pursuit of a Grand Slam:
NICK FALDO: “If I could have disappeared after every major and then reappeared at the next major I would have been OK. I could never deal with all the hustle and bustle off the course like Tiger.
“He is the only one who can handle all the media and handle all the outside requests. That is really remarkable.”
ERNIE ELS: “Basically he’s done it before, so when you’ve done something you feel like you can do it again. And at his lofty heights, in his mind, he thinks it’s do-able.
“He knows his golf swing is going to hold up. He’s one of the best putters ever and he has a great short game. Those are pretty good qualities to have at Augusta.
“It’s all about momentum and we’ve seen Tiger when he builds momentum. He can do some crazy things. I’d like to bet against him, like the whole field here, but it’s definitely in his reach. He’s definitely capable.
“I don’t think we’ve seen a player like him ever. I think he’s really one of a kind and that’s saying a lot.”
JUSTIN ROSE: “The size of the tournaments, the size of the media interest and size of all the hype has grown because of him and he lives in that world day-in and day-out.
“I think that’s a big advantage he has over the other guys who are trying to compete with him. Standing on the first tee crowd 20-deep, 500 cameras – obviously that’s how he plays every round of golf his whole life.
“He’s become so comfortable with that and that’s a huge advantage for him.”
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: “It doesn’t seem amazing because we’ve been talking about it for four months. We’ve kind of gotten used to it.
“It shows that it’s been a long time since a player has been capable of winning a Grand Slam. I think you would have to go back to Nicklaus and Hogan.
“It’s definitely possible for him. I do think it’s a difficult task. If he goes and does that he really does deserve a pat on the back.”
PHIL MICKELSON: “I think that’s probably the most difficult feat in golf. I think that it would be pretty cool to see it done.
“The last tournament or two there would be some incredible pressure. I remember reading something that Jack (Nicklaus) said the pressure at the British Open (at Muirfield in 1972 after he won the first two legs) was so great.
“I always felt it was possible too. I don’t think it’s an impossible feat. I just think it’s going to be a tough one.”
ZACH JOHNSON: “He says he can get better, which is absolutely scary. He’s scary when he’s not playing well. He’s a freak, in a good way.
“He’s a phenomenon and he’s won every major and won every major multiple times. I don’t know how hard it is for him, but that (the Slam) seems like a very hard feat.”
ADAM SCOTT: “I think he has less of an impact than he used to have when he first came out and everyone was kind of blown away by him charging up and guys were falling apart.
“I think we’re all playing better and we’re used to it. But he’s still playing better than us at the end of the day.
“He probably needs to set bigger goals. If I was him I’d believe it was possible. I can’t see how the guy would not be confident of that happening.
“He’s winning so often that he must step on the first tee feeling pretty good about his chances every week.”
STEVE STRICKER: “I think he’s the only guy capable of doing that. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he does.
“The odds are not in his favour. I think he’s got a good chance and I don’t think they are in his favour, if that makes sense.
“There are so many good players and he’s going to have to play so well and hope that no-one else gets on a run of their own.
“There are so many players capable of doing that. He’s going to have to play at the top of his game to do it.”

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