Tiger Talk
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Tiger Talk Some critics maintain that too many Tour pros are scared of Tiger Woods, all but handing him the trophy before a tournament even begins and focusing instead on collecting a check. Maybe — but in the last two years a handful of players have mustered the courage to throw the gauntlet at Woods's feet, at least verbally. None of these testaments of bravado have translated into Tiger-taming, but take heart, rank and file: Those who have dared to speak up may be stuck in neutral, but they haven't been run off the Tour either. Ian Poulter 1/30/08 "I haven't played to my full potential yet. And when that happens, it will just be me and Tiger." Rank Then: 22nd Now: 24th Prospects: Looks like court jester, speaks like one too
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Jason Day 1/5/08 "I'm trying to work toward taking that Number 1 spot from Tiger." Rank Then: 176th Now: 164th Prospects: He's got time; does he have game?
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Phil Mickelson/Butch Harmon 6/6/07 "Tiger's got a big lead as Number 1, so . . . it'll take a couple of years, but I think (Phil) can and . . . will." Rank Then: 2nd Now: 2nd Prospects: The window is closing
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Rory Sabbatini 5/10/07 "I think he's more beatable than ever." Rank Then: 17th Now: 8th Prospects: Been good, needs to be great
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Ernie Els 4/6/07 "Tiger has such a big lead in the World Rankings . . . . I'm giving myself three years to approach him, and I really believe I can do it." Rank Then: 5th Now: 4th Prospects: Too much history
Stephen Ames 2/26/06 "Anything can happen, especially (given) where (Tiger's) hitting the ball." Rank Then: 68th Now: 27th Prospects: Not happening
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