Did the par saves at 11 and 18 win Tiger the Masters?

Question

Tiger bogeyed the 10th today and looked about set to three-putt for bogey at the 11th. He saved par there and again at the 18th.

Did those two par saves win him the Masters?

He is only seven back and Immelman will almost certainly come back to the field and drop shots when he realizes he is in the final group on Saturday. Come Sunday Tiger wins! He'll shoot a 66 tomorrow.

Answer 1

The par putt on the 18th today by Tiger Woods is the most important putt of the 2008 Masters. I agree with you. For some reason, I believe the man will win it at the end by a stroke. Right now, I am listening to the guys on The Golf Channel talk about how Woods is not exactly in it. They are crazy. The only number Tiger Woods is looking at is the 5-under par where Phil Mickelson stands. He is looking at Phil Mickelson's number. Not at Brandt Snedeker who is one of the latest media darlings, and Trevor Immelman who will not hold up emotionally through Sunday. The man (Woods) is tied for 13th, when, based upon how he has played for two days should barely be above the cut line. However, great players, love 'em or hate 'em are great when they have to be, and that par save on 18 is one for the ages. The second shot he hit out of the trees required cajones the size of bowling balls. I agree with you. He will shoot 67 or better tomorrow, and again on Sunday. Look at his normal Par 5 percentage alone. Averages tell you he will play the Par 5's over the next 36 holes at 8 under par balancing out how he has played them the first 36 holes. 11 under will win The Masters and it will be Mr. Woods. I had picked Ogilvy, but what I saw of what Woods made out of nothing for two days has me convinced even more he is the best player in the world.

Answer 2

If anybody can make a monumental comeback, he can. But it won't be easy. There are a lot of players ahead of him; many are capable of playing well through the weekend. "Only" seven back? The largest comeback ever in the Masters was 8 and it wasn't Tiger who did it. (Although he did come back from a 6 stroke defecit.)

He needs to start hitting fairways and greens before he can think about getting fitted for another green jacket.