McIlroy cruises to first major title

[Doomsday101]

BETHESDA, Md. — Rory McIlroy went into the final round of the 111th U.S. Open with an eight-stroke lead over Y.E. Yang, turning Sunday's final round into less of a competition than a victory parade. But even his fellow competitors knew it would be more than that, a string of tiny numbers in tiny boxes that in a way would make up the coordinates of golf's future.

Showing that he had indeed learned from his mishaps in the majors, including a final-round 80 at the Masters in April, McIlroy birdied the first hole and cruised from there, carding a 69 for a 16-under total and an eight-shot victory over Jason Day.

"I felt like I got over the Masters pretty quickly, and I kept telling you guys that," McIlroy said at his press conference Sunday evening. "I don't know if you believed me or not."



Read more: http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,2078588,00.html#ixzz1Pp169Wnd

[jimmy40]

I'm surprised he's the only one that went crazy low. Heat wave before the Open kept the rough from growing, rain during the Open softened up the greens. But he played great and was the only one.

[Doomsday101]

I'm surprised he's the only one that went crazy low. Heat wave before the Open kept the rough from growing, rain during the Open softened up the greens. But he played great and was the only one.

No doubt the scoring was high but tee to green McIlroy was dead on. Jason Day finished 8 under and for a US Open that is a very good score but Rory was just on the mark all 4 days.

[CowboyDan]

Rory's game is so tight right now.......he's playing out of his mind. It's fun to watch, and I'm not even a fan of him. Glad to see he got redemption for The Masters though. As for the scoring record, that's the easiest US Open course those guys have played in a long, long time. Soft greens = low scores. Rory went super low because his game is so in-tune right now.

[Doomsday101]

Rory's game is so tight right now.......he's playing out of his mind. It's fun to watch, and I'm not even a fan of him. Glad to see he got redemption for The Masters though. As for the scoring record, that's the easiest US Open course those guys have played in a long, long time. Soft greens = low scores. Rory went super low because his game is so in-tune right now.

I think this is the 1st of many Majors Rory will win.

He learned from mistakes at the Masters and was able to put that behind him and move forward. Pretty mature for a 22 year old kid.

[CowboyDan]

I think this is the 1st of many Majors Rory will win.

He learned from mistakes at the Masters and was able to put that behind him and move forward. Pretty mature for a 22 year old kid.

Agreed 100%. I don't think he's the next Tiger, but he definitely has the game, age, maturity and mental makeup to win a bunch of tourneys.

[big dog cowboy]

This guy was a cool as the other side of the pillow.

[Doomsday101]

Agreed 100%. I don't think he's the next Tiger, but he definitely has the game, age, maturity and mental makeup to win a bunch of tourneys.

I think that is hard to say if Rory is the next Tiger or not. Way too early to Know what kind of career he will have. The majority of his career is still in front of him.

[CowboyDan]

I think that is hard to say if Rory is the next Tiger or not. Way too early to Know what kind of career he will have. The majority of his career is still in front of him.

I hear ya.......but it's fun to speculate. :) Tiger changed the game....Rory's playing the game incredibly well lately, but he's not changing it. I also think Tiger has a killer instinct that very few golfers have ever had. Jack had it, not sure that anyone else has ever been on the level of those two.

[Doomsday101]

I hear ya.......but it's fun to speculate. :) Tiger changed the game....Rory's playing the game incredibly well lately, but he's not changing it. I also think Tiger has a killer instinct that very few golfers have ever had. Jack had it, not sure that anyone else has ever been on the level of those two.

Well a 22 year old just won it before that Jack was the only 22 year old to win the US Open. I love Tiger but how did he change the game? he went out and won and if Rory does that he will be looked at in the same light. I do think it is way too early to make claims of Rory as the next great of the game but at 22 his best days are still ahead of him.

[CowboyDan]

Well a 22 year old just won it before that Jack was the only 22 year old to win the US Open. I love Tiger but how did he change the game? he went out and won and if Rory does that he will be looked at in the same light. I do think it is way too early to make claims of Rory as the next great of the game but at 22 his best days are still ahead of him.

Tiger changed the game of golf through his distance and his fitness level. Courses were "Tiger-proofed", or lengthened, to take away his distance advantage. At the same time, the field started taking up rigorous fitness regimens to get in shape and compete with Tiger in distance and stamina.
Tiger also brought tons and tons of exposure and popularity worldwide to a game that was less popular before him.

I'm pretty sure Tiger was 21 when he won his first US Open.....or maybe it was just his first Major. Not sure, I gotta look that up.

[Doomsday101]

Tiger changed the game of golf through his distance and his fitness level. Courses were "Tiger-proofed", or lengthened, to take away his distance advantage. At the same time, the field started taking up rigorous fitness regimens to get in shape and compete with Tiger in distance and stamina.
Tiger also brought tons and tons of exposure and popularity worldwide to a game that was less popular before him.

I'm pretty sure Tiger was 21 when he won his first US Open.....or maybe it was just his first Major. Not sure, I gotta look that up.

and before him it was Jack and before him it was Palmer and before him it was Hogan and the list goes on. I think Tiger is great but I also think Rory with his swing will win many more majors before his career is over and that is how all players are judged. Again I'm not ready to put Rory in the elite company but I'm not ready to claim he will not be.

[CowboyDan]

and before him it was Jack and before him it was Palmer and before him it was Hogan and the list goes on. I think Tiger is great but I also think Rory with his swing will win many more majors before his career is over and that is how all players are judged. Again I'm not ready to put Rory in the elite company but I'm not ready to claim he will not be.

You asked me how Tiger changed the game and I answered you.

You don't have to put Rory in elite company. As I said before, it's fun to speculate. It's called "sports talk". It adds to the conversation. Not trying to offend you, just wanted to talk "what ifs" for a moment.

[Doomsday101]

You asked me how Tiger changed the game and I answered you.

You don't have to put Rory in elite company. As I said before, it's fun to speculate. It's called "sports talk". It adds to the conversation. Not trying to offend you, just wanted to talk "what ifs" for a moment.

I'm not offended I just think it is crazy to think Rory at his age winning a major this early in his career can't achive the same level of greatness as those like Tiger or Jack.

[casmith07]

Tiger changed the game of golf through his distance and his fitness level. Courses were "Tiger-proofed", or lengthened, to take away his distance advantage. At the same time, the field started taking up rigorous fitness regimens to get in shape and compete with Tiger in distance and stamina.
Tiger also brought tons and tons of exposure and popularity worldwide to a game that was less popular before him.

I'm pretty sure Tiger was 21 when he won his first US Open.....or maybe it was just his first Major. Not sure, I gotta look that up.

Tiger was 21 when he won his first Major. All of the last 3 or 4 golf greats were either 21 or 22 when they won their first Major.

I would like to see Rory win consistently like Tiger or Jack before we start elevating him to all-time great status, though. It's the typical media overvaluation/undervaluation. You win you're the greatest of all time, you lose you're a bum.

[CowboyDan]

I'm not offended I just think it is crazy to think Rory at his age winning a major this early in his career can't achive the same level of greatness as those like Tiger or Jack.

You think it's crazy to think that? I think it's more likely that he won't than that he will. It's not an easy task to win 14 majors like Tiger, let alone 18 like Jack. It's a phenomenal accomplishment. As we've seen time and again in sports, life gets more complicated the older you get.

[Doomsday101]

You think it's crazy to think that? I think it's more likely that he won't than that he will. It's not an easy task to win 14 majors like Tiger, let alone 18 like Jack. It's a phenomenal accomplishment. As we've seen time and again in sports, life gets more complicated the older you get.

I think most on the PGA tour recognize that Rory is special. Will he be to that level? Who knows? To do what he has done at this early stage in his career is impressive and a good start. It is not an accident that guys like Jack and Tiger won at a very early age on center stage when so many other talented players have failed.

[CowboyDan]

I think most on the PGA tour recognize that Rory is special. Will he be to that level? Who knows? To do what he has done at this early stage in his career is impressive and a good start. It is not an accident that guys like Jack and Tiger won at a very early age on center stage when so many other talented players have failed.

He's got 2 wins on tour.
3 3rds.
11 Top 10s.
18 Top 25s.

[Doomsday101]

He's got 2 wins on tour.
3 3rds.
11 Top 10s.
18 Top 25s.

And is at the start of his career only Bobby Jones was younger winning his 1st major. Again players on the tour know how good this kid is and how good he can be.

[CowboyDan]

And is at the start of his career only Bobby Jones was younger winning his 1st major. Again players on the tour know how good this kid is and how good he can be.

There's no question he has serious talent and is playing great golf right now.
But as I said before "Tiger changed the game....Rory's playing the game incredibly well lately, but he's not changing it. I also think Tiger has a killer instinct that very few golfers have ever had. Jack had it, not sure that anyone else has ever been on the level of those two."

[CowboyDan]

He's got 2 wins on tour.
3 3rds.
11 Top 10s.
18 Top 25s.

For comparison's sake

Tiger at 22

7 Wins
3 2nds
5 3rds
27 top 10s
38 top 25s

Keep in mind, Rory is at the beginnning of the season. (35 events played in his career) The stats that I listed for Tiger are after his 3rd season was complete. (49 events played in his career)

[Doomsday101]

There's no question he has serious talent and is playing great golf right now.
But as I said before "Tiger changed the game....Rory's playing the game incredibly well lately, but he's not changing it. I also think Tiger has a killer instinct that very few golfers have ever had. Jack had it, not sure that anyone else has ever been on the level of those two."

Rory does not have to change the game he has to win majors. Being in great shape may have caused others to do so as well but in the end it is about winning. Rory has won the European amateur like Tiger won the US amateur. Both won major early in their careers how will Rory career play out who knows but he has the talent to play at that level. All I’m saying is for anyone to say Well Tiger can do it no one else can? Because that is what is sounds like and this game as seen many great ones over its long long history

[CowboyDan]

Rory does not have to change the game he has to win majors. Being in great shape may have caused others to do so as well but in the end it is about winning. Rory has won the European amateur like Tiger won the US amateur. Both won major early in their careers how will Rory career play out who knows but he has the talent to play at that level. All I’m saying is for anyone to say Well Tiger can do it no one else can? Because that is what is sounds like and this game as seen many great ones over its long long history

What I said was
"Agreed 100%. I don't think he's the next Tiger, but he definitely has the game, age, maturity and mental makeup to win a bunch of tourneys."

Tiger did more than just win tourneys. Not sure why I have to keep showing you what I've already posted, but whatever works for you.

[Doomsday101]

What I said was
"Agreed 100%. I don't think he's the next Tiger, but he definitely has the game, age, maturity and mental makeup to win a bunch of tourneys."

Tiger did more than just win tourneys. Not sure why I have to keep showing you what I've already posted, but whatever works for you.

Because being in great shape is not a big game changer and Tiger is not the longest hitter on the tour what makes Tiger special is the winning. hell John Daly can out drive Tiger but Daley will never be the great player tiger is.

So when you say he changed the game I disagree I think guys like Hogan and guys like Bobby Jones and Byron Nelson were the game changers their swings still live today

[CowboyDan]

Because being in great shape is not a big game changer and Tiger is not the longest hitter on the tour what makes Tiger special is the winning. hell John Daly can out drive Tiger but Daley will never be the great player tiger is.

So when you say he changed the game I disagree I think guys like Hogan and guys like Bobby Jones and Byron Nelson were the game changers their swings still live today

You really need to brush up on your Tiger history if you don't think Tiger changed the game, or that his distance and fitness are big reasons why. I don't know if Daly could out DRIVE Tiger......he very well may have been able to, but Tiger's length with all clubs, combined with his deadly accuracy and solid putting, and his 4 day stamina allowed him to change the game of golf. (not to mention the popularity he brought to the game, and the racial barriers he broke down) You are the only person I've ever heard disagree with this statement.

PS- interesting driving distance breakdown here in 2005........Tiger 2nd...Daly 5th (6 yards off).

http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/2005/101.html

[DFWJC]

Hard not to like this kid.

[CowboyDan]

Hard not to like this kid.

He's got a great attitude for sure. My main problem with him is he's sloppy. I don't like his hair, I don't like how his shirts always falling out of his pants. I don't like how he wears surfer necklaces and kinda bumps along when he walks. I'm not a fan of golfers like that. (See John Daly)

I like golfers that look the part. He looks like a skater that found golf clubs in his grandpa's garage. He's got a great game though. Very solid.

[DFWJC]

He's got a great attitude for sure. My main problem with him is he's sloppy. I don't like his hair, I don't like how his shirts always falling out of his pants. I don't like how he wears surfer necklaces and kinda bumps along when he walks. I'm not a fan of golfers like that. (See John Daly)

I like golfers that look the part. He looks like a skater that found golf clubs in his grandpa's garage. He's got a great game though. Very solid.
wow....just....wow.

This is 2011. What are golfers supposed to look like in your view? Judge Smails from Caddy Shack?
This kid is the anti-John Daley. Total opposite.

To each his own I guess....so you really do have a right to your preferences on such superficial things....so that's cool.

We'll agree to disagree on this one.

BTW, on the other topic...I agree with you. I think it is FAR more likely that Rory will not win as many titles as Tiger or Jack than he will. Logic just says that is the case. it is possible, but unlikely.

[CowboyDan]

wow....just....wow.

This is 2011. This kid is the anti-John Daley. Total opposite.

To each his own I guess....so you really do have a right to your preferences on such superficial things....so that's cool.

We'll agree to disagaree on this one.

What do we disagree on? I think we both agree that I prefer a certain style in golfer. I didn't say I hate the kid. Quite the opposite, I've done nothing but congratulate him and compliment him on his game. I do not think he's the next Tiger Woods, but I don't hate the kid. Jeez.

Call me superficial, but I think there's a certain level of respect the game deserves.

[Doomsday101]

You really need to brush up on your Tiger history if you don't think Tiger changed the game, or that his distance and fitness are big reasons why. I don't know if Daly could out DRIVE Tiger......he very well may have been able to, but Tiger's length with all clubs, combined with his deadly accuracy and solid putting, and his 4 day stamina allowed him to change the game of golf. (not to mention the popularity he brought to the game, and the racial barriers he broke down) You are the only person I've ever heard disagree with this statement.

PS- interesting driving distance breakdown here in 2005........Tiger 2nd...Daly 5th (6 yards off).

http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/2005/101.html

Maybe you need to brush up Tiger drive is not what separates him from the rest there are many big hitters on the tour. Tiger play around the green is what has made the difference. Sinking the 18 footer when everything is on the line. His ability to rescue himself from poor drives has been the difference; his chipping in critical moments has been the difference. There is nothing about Tiger that I need to brush up on.

[DFWJC]

What do we disagree on? I think we both agree that I prefer a certain style in golfer. I didn't say I hate the kid. Quite the opposite, I've done nothing but congratulate him and compliment him on his game. I do not think he's the next Tiger Woods, but I don't hate the kid. Jeez.

Call me superficial, but I think there's a certain level of respect the game deserves.
We do both agree that he is very good and we both agree that the odds are against him matching Jack's titles.

We disagree only on his appearance and attitude. I don't see him as remotely appearing physically or verbally as though he has anything but huge respect for the game.

[CowboyDan]

Maybe you need to brush up Tiger drive is not what separates him from the rest there are many big hitters on the tour. Tiger play around the green is what has made the difference. Sinking the 18 footer when everything is on the line. His ability to rescue himself from poor drives has been the difference; his chipping in critical moments has been the difference. There is nothing about Tiger that I need to brush up on.

You're confusing yourself. We were talking about Tiger when he burst onto the scene. (1997) His length....with all clubs....changed the game. It just did. That's what I've been saying. He's still very long with all clubs, but he's not the longest on tour off the tee today. He may never have been longest off the tee. (I need to brush up on that part of Tiger history:) ) But he's always been very long and accurate with all clubs. That's what changed the game.

[CowboyDan]

We do both agree that he is very good and we both agree that the odds are against him matching Jack's titles.

We disagree only on his appearance and attitude. I don't see him as remotely appearing physically or verbally as though he has anything but huge respect for the game.

Hold up....I didn't say anything about his attitude (other than it's great) or him being verbally disrespectful towards the game. (He's incredibly well spoken and respectful)

What I said was that I like golfers that have a certain style, and he doesn't have it. It's personal preference. I feel that sloppiness and surfer necklaces are disrespectful to the game. I don't like that look. I don't like flames on shirts or stripes on golf shoes either....call me crazy, but I think they should look like shoes. I don't even like when Tiger wears those mock turtle neck short sleeve shirts. Polos please! Wear what you want when you're out with your buddies, but if you're on the PGA Tour, you should carry yourself with a certain style and respect. Hell, I don't want to go to West Point and see some soldiers with their shirt tails hanging out our sneakers on. I think it looks good when you look like you care about your appearance. Just my opinion.

[Doomsday101]

You're confusing yourself. We were talking about Tiger when he burst onto the scene. (1997) His length....with all clubs....changed the game. It just did. That's what I've been saying. He's still very long with all clubs, but he's not the longest on tour off the tee today. He may never have been longest off the tee. (I need to brush up on that part of Tiger history:) ) But he's always been very long and accurate with all clubs. That's what changed the game.

1 year out of all the years he was 2nd in length? Come on length is not what separates Tiger from others his distance in on par with that of guys like Michelson but that is not what separates him. Pulling off the critical shot when he needed it the most is the difference. That tends to be the difference with all the greats of the game being able to pull off the needed shot or putt.

As they say you drive for show you putt from dough his work around the greens has been the differance maker

[CowboyDan]

1 year out of all the years he was 2nd in length? Come on length is not what separates Tiger from others his distance in on par with that of guys like Michelson but that is not what separates him. Pulling off the critical shot when he needed it the most is the difference. That tends to be the difference with all the greats of the game being able to pull off the needed shot or putt.

As they say you drive for show you putt from dough his work around the greens has been the differance maker

You keep focusing on DRIVER. You know there's 12 other clubs + a putter in the bag right? Tiger would hit wedge on his 2nd shots of par 5's where other golfers hit 7's. Tiger would hit 247 yard 3 woods out of the 2nd cut to within 5 feet of the pin.

Here, this article will help..... (there's tons more written over the years. Just Google "Tiger Proofing")

"When Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in 1996, he brought with him a completely new style of golf.

Woods brought a game of power and distance, the likes of which had never been seen on the tour before.

Due to Tiger’s distance game, the rest of the tour had to change the way they played.

Players had to take on rigorous training routines and hit drivers with oversize heads to enable them to hit the ball long enough to compete with Woods.

Woods achieved unprecedented success in his first few years on tour, largely due to the fact that he hit the ball a great deal further than everyone else.

For this reason, golf courses around the country began undertaking massive overhauls to lengthen the courses in order to ‘Tiger Proof’ them."

to read more.... http://bleacherreport.com/articles/28934-us-open-tiger-proofing-of-golf-courses-has-done-just-the-opposite

[Doomsday101]

You keep focusing on DRIVER. You know there's 12 other clubs + a putter in the bag right? Tiger would hit wedge on his 2nd shots of par 5's where other golfers hit 7's. Tiger would hit 247 yard 3 woods out of the 2nd cut to within 5 feet of the pin.

Here, this article will help..... (there's tons more written over the years. Just Google "Tiger Proofing")

"When Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in 1996, he brought with him a completely new style of golf.

Woods brought a game of power and distance, the likes of which had never been seen on the tour before.

Due to Tiger’s distance game, the rest of the tour had to change the way they played.

Players had to take on rigorous training routines and hit drivers with oversize heads to enable them to hit the ball long enough to compete with Woods.

Woods achieved unprecedented success in his first few years on tour, largely due to the fact that he hit the ball a great deal further than everyone else.

For this reason, golf courses around the country began undertaking massive overhauls to lengthen the courses in order to ‘Tiger Proof’ them."

to read more.... http://bleacherreport.com/articles/28934-us-open-tiger-proofing-of-golf-courses-has-done-just-the-opposite

It was not just Tigers distance it was the overall distance from many player on the tour as to why courses were lengthened these course were set up for an older technology when woods were still made of wood. So Tiger did not change how courses were built or lengthen technology did and Jack has said that many times

What Tiger was able to do that others have not been able to do it hit the critical shot at the biggest moments in a tournament. His length is not far and above others, hell Phil has been on the tour longer than Tiger and can hit shots of equal distance be it driver or irons and there are many others who do as well. Difference is pulling off the big shot when it is needed the most that has always been what separate Tiger in his prime to any others on the tour.

[casmith07]

Just to add an observation, Tiger's short game around the green with the wedge had always been unparalleled until other golfers realized they needed to tighten up their shot group.

[CowboyDan]

It was not just Tigers distance it was the overall distance from many player on the tour as to why courses were lengthened these course were set up for an older technology when woods were still made of wood. So Tiger did not change how courses were built or lengthen technology did and Jack has said that many times

What Tiger was able to do that others have not been able to do it hit the critical shot at the biggest moments in a tournament. His length is not far and above others, hell Phil has been on the tour longer than Tiger and can hit shots of equal distance be it driver or irons and there are many others who do as well. Difference is pulling off the big shot when it is needed the most that has always been what separate Tiger in his prime to any others on the tour.

Who am I to argue with Jack? Tiger is clutch, but there is no doubt that he hit all his clubs longer than most players on tour in the mid-90's using the same equipment. All you had to do was watch the tourneys back then. They routinely commented on what Tiger was hitting into greens as opposed to the competition. I'm not making that up. In fact, I would argue that Tiger actually spurred a quicker development in distance technology in order to help the competition keep up with him. Taylor Made couldn't have their guys being outdriven by Tiger all day could they?

Remember when Mickelson got in trouble for this quote:

"Saying he had made a mistake, Phil Mickelson said today that he regretted calling Tiger Woods's Nike golf equipment inferior...."He doesn't like that I can fly it past him now."....Much of the pre-tournament talk has focused on Mickelson, who said in an interview in Golf Magazine that Woods was the only player 'good enough to overcome the equipment he's stuck with."

What do you think he meant by that?

[CowboyDan]

Just to add an observation, Tiger's short game around the green with the wedge had always been unparalleled until other golfers realized they needed to tighten up their shot group.

Sorta. It's always been a combo with him. He's always had amazing distance combined with laser accuracy and great short game. Most players have one of these things, not all 3 like Tiger did.

[Doomsday101]

Who am I to argue with Jack? Tiger is clutch, but there is no doubt that he hit all his clubs longer than most players on tour in the mid-90's using the same equipment. All you had to do was watch the tourneys back then. They routinely commented on what Tiger was hitting into greens as opposed to the competition. I'm not making that up. In fact, I would argue that Tiger actually spurred a quicker development in distance technology in order to help the competition keep up with him. Taylor Made couldn't have their guys being outdriven by Tiger all day could they?

Remember when Mickelson got in trouble for this quote:

"Saying he had made a mistake, Phil Mickelson said today that he regretted calling Tiger Woods's Nike golf equipment inferior...."He doesn't like that I can fly it past him now."....Much of the pre-tournament talk has focused on Mickelson, who said in an interview in Golf Magazine that Woods was the only player 'good enough to overcome the equipment he's stuck with."

What do you think he meant by that?

That technology was still greater than what the courses were designed for. when many of these courses were built guys were playing with equipment that did not carry as they do today, they played balls that did not have the flight they have today. So please Tiger was not playing with woods and Tiger was not the only big hitter.

As for Phils comment he said that in 2004 and Tiger distance dropped in comparison to other big hitters

[CowboyDan]

That technology was still greater than what the courses were designed for. when many of these courses were built guys were playing with equipment that did not carry as they do today, they played balls that did not have the flight they have today. So please Tiger was not playing with woods and Tiger was not the only big hitter.

As for Phils comment he said that in 2004 and Tiger distance dropped in comparison to other big hitters

I have never disputed the technological advancements made in golf. But to say that 1in the mid to late 90's that Tiger didn't hit the ball longer with all clubs than the competition is just wrong.

Look at this link: http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/1997/101.html
You can select the years and it will give you the driving distances of the players on tour. With the exception of John Daly and a few other flash in the pan guys, Tiger has a 7 - 10 yard advantage on the competition. That's just with the driver.

Think about this for a second. We're not talking about a hack like John Daly.....we're talking about a guy with laser accuracy and control. Driver off the tee and Woods has a 1 club advantage shooting into the green on a par 4. What does that mean? It means higher trajectory, more control and an easier club to hit and stop a ball with. Now multiply that by 14 holes per round. Now multiply that by 4 rounds. See the advantage yet?

As for Lefty,2003 was the first time in his career that Phil had a higher driving distance than Tiger. Up to that year, he consistantly trailed Tiger by 10 to 15 yards depending on the year. That's 1 to 1.5 club lengths. That's a huge advantage in Pro Golf.

[CowboyDan]

Thought you guys might enjoy seeing this..........it's from 2007, so it doesn't really apply to what we're talking about but it's still fun to look at.

TIGER'S CLUBS:
Driver: 285 yards (of carry)
3 Wd: 265 yards (of carry)
2 Iron: 245 yards
3 Iron: 230 yards
4 Iron: 220 yards
5 Iron: 208 yards
6 Iron: 190 yards
7 Iron: 172 yards
8 Iron: 158 yards
9 Iron: 142 yards
Pitching Wedge: 128 yards
Sand Wedge: 106 yards
Lob Wedge (60°): 92 yards

golfchannel.com

As far as distances go, I'm right there on S, PW, 9, 8 & 7..........then he takes a crazy 2 club advantage on every other club! (And how he hits a 60* Lob 92 yards I'll never understand.)