The Dirt
Is Stevie the Phil Jackson of Golf?
Phil Jackson is the undisputable winningest coach in NBA history. The dispute is how he go there. One side of the dispute is that some think it is because his great skill as a coach. His ability to take great players and get them over the hump of winning the big one. On the other side you have those that believe he was the Zen-Master of coattail riding. Whatever your opinion of Jackson, I couldn’t help but see the similarities in Tiger’s former caddie Steve Williams yesterday.
Let me set the stage. Adam Scott has long since been the underachieving talent hog on the PGA Tour. Often thought of as the best swing in golf, Scott has not been able to close the deal on a major. Or even be the top 10 consistent winner that we all expected him to be the first time we saw him tee it up. Most of us gave up on that idea long ago and relegated him to a Sergio type career of what could have been. Until yesterday. Who was that guy? It looked like he embodied all the same “step on your neck” type closing putts that we used to see from Stevie’s previous employer. Maybe Williams knows something that we don’t. Maybe he has the same ability as Jackson to take talented underachieving players and make them great instantly. Jordan couldn’t win the big one until Jackson showed up and helped him win 6. Kobe and Shaq never had a ring until Jackson came on the scene. Williams caddied for Greg Norman during some of his best years. After Greg fired Steve in 1989, he admitted it was a mistake and tried to rehire him. Tiger can only claim one major championship without Steve on the bag and may never see another one. Adam Scott has never looked better than he did on Sunday. Is he the next break out star? If he is, how much credit will Williams deserve for it?
2 Responses to Is Stevie the Phil Jackson of Golf?
Rick Redfern
August 8, 2011
I guess the “proof of the pudding” will be the PGA. I have to disagree with the assessment that Tiger only won one major without Steve. Tiger had won several majors before steve came along. However your caddy is not a swing coach. Just a looper who knows the lay of every green and pin placement before tee-off. He also works as a tempo coach and and an attitude adjuster. Especially when the pressure is on. The looper does a lot of things to help the player stay in the moment, which is one of the things that “Fluff” taught Tiger. I don’t think we will ever know the real story behind Tiger firing Steve, however I do think it was a mistake. Than again everyone thought Jack was finished when he fired Angelo. He went on to win majors and even the ’86 Masters without Angelo. Tiger will still win a few more majors. You and I will see it happen. Maybe he should talk with me about looping for him. I am available and am willing to work WITH him to win a few more tournaments, which he will.
John Driscoll
August 8, 2011
I hope your right about him winning again. However It is a fact that Tiger only won the 97 Masters with Fluff Cowen. All his other 13 majors were won with Stevie. Thanks for the comment.