[TheVillageChicken]

Remember when Tiger Woods had the "fear factor" or "scare factor" as an element of this game? If he was chasing a leader, the leader would crumble to the pressure. If he were leading and playing with a challenger, that player couldn't shoot low to save his life.

At the Bridgestone, Garcia had the lead when he and McIlroy teed off on Sunday. He went on to shoot +1 on the day. Today, the "honor" of playing with Rory goes to Jason Day who had low round of the tournament yesterday.

Will today be the day the golf world realizes that Rory now owns the "scare factor?"

I am not predicting, just wondering.

[BarryRX]

Could be. Certainly if he wins today we may have to start comparing him to Tiger in 2000.

[rubicon]

"The fear factor"plays well to television but its all hype to gain market share.
I can watch golf on television all day. My brother would rather watch paint dry so its guys like my brother golf is trying to attract in order to gain share

[TheVillageChicken]

Bunch of fearless youngsters sharing the lead now. I guess Rory doesn't own the fear factor.

[jebartle]

Goooo Ricky Fowler!....(another good kid)

[John_W]

The rain delay is almost over.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

You have to realize that Tiger came on to the tour with a history. He had won three US Amateurs and three US Junior Amateurs in a row. People were expecting great things from him from the beginning. Then, he won in his third PGA tour start. Eight months later he won The Masters after shooting 40 on the first nine. Shortly after that he ascended to the number one golfer in the world faster than anyone had ever done before. Then he went on to dominate the tour like no one had ever done before. During his first ten years, he won 25% of his starts including six in a row. No one ever had a winning percentage close to that.
He continued his domination for a long, long time after that.

When he first came on to the tour a lot of people wondered if, in spite of his stellar amateur record, he would live up to the expectations that were placed on him. Obviously he did and it became obvious to everyone including his fellow tour players that he would continue to dominate for a long time.

Rory arrived on the scene without quite as much fanfare. Not as much was known about him. He surprised a lot of people by winning the US Open by eight shots with a record setting total of -16 in 2011. The following year he won the PGA Championship and then had a little slump so people were still wondering whether he would keep up his winning ways. So I don't think that there was the same fear factor that Tiger induced.

When he won the Open Championship this year and followed it up with a win in his next start which happened to be a WGC event, I think that some of the players began to have a bit of fear. But, I really don't think it's at the level of the fear that Tiger instilled.

I don't know if anyone will ever create that kind of fear in tour players because they all lived through the Tiger years and saw that he did lose on occasion. He also won a few squeakers. I think that there are more fearless players out there today and I think that they all believe that they are the next Tiger. They certainly respect Rory and see that he can win, but I don't think that they are in awe of him like the players were of Tiger back when he was in his prime.

If Rory continues to do what he's been doing, he might instill that kind of fear, but it will take a lot.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Based on the front nine today, I don't think that there's any fear factor whatsoever.

[Birdie Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Based on the front nine today, I don't think that there's any fear factor whatsoever.

And then there was the back nine. ( forget the 18th hole debacle )

I agree there is no fear factor on tour these days. But Rory's game is good enough at the moment to win without anyone folding.

[Ragman]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Based on the front nine today, I don't think that there's any fear factor whatsoever.

Then came the back 9. That Rory is a mentally tough cookie right now. Just stared them down.What a tournament!

Congrats Phil and Ricky on gutsy performances!

Can't wait for Augusta in April!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Ragman

Then came the back 9. That Rory is a mentally tough cookie right now. Just stared them down.What a tournament!

Congrats Phil and Ricky on gutsy performances!

Can't wait for Augusta in April!

It was a great tournament but I don't think that fear was a factor. Phil, Ricky and Henrick all played great.

I was really surprised to see several crucial putts left short. That was very uncharacteristic for all of them.

[billethkid]

I don't think any of the new generation leaders have fear of Tiger or any others. They are true competitiors who like history has born out have good days and bad days. That's golf!

I don't believe any of the current generation are intimidated by Tiger or each other. And it is refreshing to see that almost all have such a cordial more "social" game face.

[BarryRX]

He's 25 years old and he's just won 3 golf tournaments in a row and 2 majors in a row. If he wins the Masters, he'll have the career slam. He's won from the front and yesterday he showed that he can win when he doesn't have his best game. He lost the lead on the front nine and then out dueled Phil, Fowler, and Stenson. I believe that only 2 people have accomplished more at a younger age and they were named Jack and Tiger, and Jack was only younger by 3 weeks. He appears to be in a better place mentally than Tiger ever was. Of course, only time will tell if he will continue to be great, but he certainly has the potential to be the best ever. He may not ever win 12 majors in a ten year span like Tiger did, but he very well may win more majors than Tiger and Jack when all is said and done. It makes me look forward to watching for the next ten years.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

He's 25 years old and he's just won 3 golf tournaments in a row and 2 majors in a row. If he wins the Masters, he'll have the career slam. He's won from the front and yesterday he showed that he can win when he doesn't have his best game. He lost the lead on the front nine and then out dueled Phil, Fowler, and Stenson. I believe that only 2 people have accomplished more at a younger age and they were named Jack and Tiger, and Jack was only younger by 3 weeks. He appears to be in a better place mentally than Tiger ever was. Of course, only time will tell if he will continue to be great, but he certainly has the potential to be the best ever. He may not ever win 12 majors in a ten year span like Tiger did, but he very well may win more majors than Tiger and Jack when all is said and done. It makes me look forward to watching for the next ten years.

Exactly

[rjn5656]

Not yet.