Monday, January 29, 2007

Woods and Federer on a Different Plateau

Hello. Congrats to Tiger Woods for winning at Torrey Pines, and Roger Federer and Serena Williams for their Australian Open championships. All were tremendous demonstrations of excellence. Woods shot 66 the final day to overcome a 2-shot deficit. Federer didn't lose a set. Williams crushed Sharapova in the final.
An interesting comparison was made between Woods and Federer in thegolfchannel.com by Mercer Baggs. He says they are both way ahead of the rest of the pack, which I agree. If either of them lose this year, it will be seen as a fluke.
He then says Federer is a bit above Woods because Federer plays the equivalent of golf match play. While Woods' individual match play record is very good (82% as a pro), Federer's is 94%.
I disagree with this comparison. Federer's tennis would be the equivalent of Woods playing stroke play for one round against one opponent. If you had Woods against anyone in the US Open Monday playoff, who would you take? Woods all the time, especially if that was spelled out from the beginning. In match play the better player can lose because the format favours an inconsistent player, someone who may have 3 birdies in a row, then a triple bogey.
Let's put it this way - Rod Laver won 2 tennis Grand Slams. No one has won a pro golf Grand Slam. You tell me which sport is harder.
I have Woods and Federer at the same position, #1.

Regards,
Steve

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