Capelle On Golf

Going into the finals of the Accenture Match Play there were several reasons to believe that Stewart Cink could beat the heavily favored Tiger Woods. Cink felt right at home on the Gallery’s huge greens. He had closed out five opponents with a scoring binge that left him 28 under for 81 holes. Prorated, that’s an average of 65.78 for 18 holes, less than a stroke above Tiger’s prorated average of 64.88. Furthermore, Cink hit 82.7% of the greens in regulation to Tiger’s 77.9%. Woods affectionately referred to Cink as “Stewy”, and Cink indicated that he would be as comfortable playing against his pal. And, in three previous trips to the finals, Woods was 2-1, which proves that he can be beaten in a two round marathon.

And then the match began and Cink, who was so confident all week long, became a non believer. In a post match interview he said that he “…was pretty demoralized all day.” It certainly showed in his play, because he was only two under for the 29 holes before succumbing 8&7. If he had played at the same subpar pace as he did against his opponents not named Tiger, he would have been about two down with seven to play, just a late surge away from victory.

When Laura Neal asked Woods if the way he concentrates on his game intimidates others, he suggested that his opponent’s mental deficiencies are of their own making.

“No, you just go out there and you focus on your game. If people (other players) perceive that as intimidating or what have you, that’s to each his own. I’m trying to go out there and shoot the lowest score I possibly can and win an event. That’s all I’m trying to do.”

If his opponents would or could just do the same, golf might once again become a competitive sport.