"If Woods is considering entering the Arnold Palmer Invitational before its deadline on Friday week then he should also be considering the flak he would receive. And he would be wise to line up a few more apologies."
James Corrigan is the first to take a hard look at the question of how the Tiger Woods of a couple weeks ago could go from announing he didn't know when he'd return to golf and not ruling out this year, to being on the cusp of a return at Tavistock or Bay Hill, or both.
Tiger should also apologise to his fellow players. Regardless of the timing of his reintroduction to their ranks, his fellow pros already have ample reason to be angry. When Ernie Els came out and called Woods "selfish" for taking over the airwaves on the third day of the Accenture Match Play, he was instructed by Woods's agent, Mark Steinberg, "to get your information right before commenting". The players were then informed Woods had no choice but to address the globe that particular morning as he was rechecking into rehab the next day. By and large the players accepted that explanation. The patient would be back under lock and key awhile.
It turned out that "awhile" lasted barely a week. Woods was back at his Orlando home the following Saturday. Question: why couldn't he wait until, say, last Monday to speak? What difference would it have made? Never mind whether it deflected any attention from the Match Play, it undeniably had the potential to distract the players in Tucson. Before they went out for their Friday matches the pros were badgered for their opinions on Tiger's "performance". It was the last thing they needed.
Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 08:52 PM
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Reader Comments (47)
Wise man that journo.....
I'd wager the green jackets are praying the TW coming out party is booked at another location. They can control on-course camera activities and comments, but surely the peripheral aroma outside the fence would waft over the event as TW runs the gauntlet on Magnolia Lane runway approach. Unless of course, they let him bunk-in at the Crow's Nest or a turn over a cabin.
Ky Laffoon - You've got inside information, what's Clifford Roberts saying about this mess ?
To the morons who continue to berate the guy - did he cheat on you? Goodness, people, have some sanity. He's a golfer. What he did in his personal world may be "news" that tells us a bit about the guy, but he's still just a golfer.
But if he shows up at Arnie's tourney, I'll be watching and so will about the same number of people who watched the Super Bowl.
To say golf isn't missing Tiger is first, obviously untrue and second demonstrably wrong. The ratings are in the dumper.
He doesn't owe his fellow pros an apology. They owe him half of their bank accounts. And if he doesn't come back soon, half of their future earnings as well.
As for the insistent drumbeat that denizens of the TOUR owe Tiger some significant proportion of their prize money, Cliff and Bob do realize that most of the explosive growth in professional golf since 1997 is largely due to Tiger, much as the growth in the 1960s was due to Arnie (and Jack and Gary), not to mention a slew of other great champions such as Floyd, Trevino, Lema, and Casper. But although both men were extremely comfortable for their entire lives, they also appreciate that the privilege of financial independence comes with obligations. And that at 50% of current levels both the TOUR as an institution and its players will have much more than enough the meet their responsibilities, while being engaged in a much more sustainable endeavor.
What bothers me are the lies and utter contempt with which Tiger and his management seem to be treating the golfing public,sponsors,other pros ,the media etc etc(not to mention his wife!)
He is without doubt the finest player of his generation and will go down in history but I am no longer a fan and no way will he ever be the role model I recommend to my pupils
Sounds like someone who does what they want when they want.. and doesn't give a hoot about what other people think of them....
Who else does that sound like ?
NB - I'm not saying the cheating was right and that he shouldn't be held accountable for that but as for how he's handling the aftermat why the heck should he listen to what any of us say ?? Would we listen or do it OUR way ??
Decent, civilized, societies have societal norms. Tiger Woods engaged in a gross violation of those norms. He also lied to everyone about almost everything related to his public image. He is much more than "just a golfer", he is a public figure and, prior to the scandal, he was even an icon - and not just a sports icon - to many. HE built the pedestal from which he has fallen.
Those of us offended by his behavior are not morons, we are THE MAJORITY OPINION.
Defending indecent, uncivilized, grossly dishonest behavior by suggesting that those who are offended are insane morons is, frankly, insane.
I'm really getting tired of those who defend this man-child by attacking those of us who believe that life has a code of ethics and conduct. If you do not have such a code, that does not make you right.
Remember just one little thing... Tigerv is NOT a "kid"; he is a MAN, an ADULT, with ADULT responsibilities to himself, his family, his friends, his employers, his business partners and his employees. And THEN there are his FANS...
Frank Stranahan was the obnoxious career amateur and heir to the Champion Spark Plugs fortune whose behavior at The Masters got him booted from the tournament one year (maybe more than one...but one for sure) by the Masters tournament committee.
Do you guys read People Magazine and talk gossip with the other ladies while getting your hair done too?
Spoken well......from around the "cracker barrel" I'm sure.
Please provide a list of exactly what must be done...
Here's a primer on Stanahan.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/augusta/stories/040698/gp/gpstranahan
If Tiger isn't committing crimes or cheating at the game, then I don't give a damn about his personal life and neither should you all. All this BS about Tiger being "more than a golfer" is just an excuse to gossip and moralize. You never knew the man, you simply saw and believed what you wanted to believe about Tiger Woods.
How many times does he have to say he is sorry?
What the press really wants is more and more details and milk it till he's dead. I don't think the public shares the press view.
You're comfortable defending "wrong", I'm comfortable defending "right". That is the Great Divide between us, and I'm comfortable with that.
P.S. You bore me.
BigSky, I didn't make a comment or defense about anything one way or the other, simply asked you a question. Matter of fact, I'm on record saying Tiger's behaviour is indefensible, no doubt about it.
What I'm trying to figure out is what you specifically think Tiger has to do to make it right? Can you provide a simple list of things Tiger needs to do to make it right?
PS...Dusty Fasbender and his brothers still on speaking terms with you?
"I hate Tiger for fucking with us again! He's evil!!!"
As for the PGA Tour player owing him for their paychecks, don't they all owe Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, and Greg Norman as well. All those players led a sharp increase in PGA Tour player's incomes. Tiger comes next on the line, but he won't be the last. The recession will end, another great player will emerge, natural levels of inflation will push up income levels, and eventually purses will increase...it is the way of the world.
It is time for him to play again.
However, I Am fascinated by anyone who would use "Dr." in their screen name. I'm thinking it's because you fashion yourself an intellectual. That would explain your silly, irrelevant questions about Tiger Woods and "the Fasbender brothers". Hopefully, you are impressing yourself with your intellect. I see you as a "one trick pony", a sure sign of limited intellectual capacity.
I think I'll go watch the finish of the Toshiba Classic....
Apart from reversing time, going back to his unmarried days, and then not carrying on like a 14-year-old boy in Bob Guccione's penthouse, nothing. Absolutely nothing. His only legitimate response going forward is to come back into public life absent the whining, chastened by his abject humiliation, showing an uncharacteristic respect for the world of golf that matches his ability on the golf course, and acting with a previously unknown courtesy to those not in his central orbit. If he does these things people will eventually come around. It will take a while. A little bit more Magic Johnson-like humanity wouldn't hurt, either, and just might make him a happier man. So we all hope.
Hey, you're the one that said Dusty Fasbender is a "close friend" of yours and that his brother who caddies for Rory Sabbatini "says Tiger is on the juice" -- you said that, not me. Are you retracting that statement/allegation since you now say the Fasbender's are "irrelevant" in relation to Tiger? I mean that was the cornerstone of your case, right?
It's funny that you've called me a long list of less than complimentary names all while not a single time have I done the same to you...ever wonder why that is?