Tiger On Getting Out Of California, Anchoring, Torrey
A few highlights from today's Tiger Woods press conference at the Farmers Insurance Open. Looking as fit as ever, Woods answered questions from the assembled slingers and local TV newshounds.
Q. Slightly different topic here. Phil Mickelson made some comments regarding the higher taxes here in California. You being a resident now of Florida, but from here, any comment or any reaction to what he said?
TIGER WOODS: Well, I moved out of here back in '96 for that reason. I enjoy Florida, but also I understand what he was, I think, trying to say. I think he'll probably explain it better and in a little more detail.
Looks like Jerry West has more lobbying to do on getting Tiger back to Riviera for the Northern Trust Open:
Q. Just wanted to check in on your immediate schedule going forward. What tournaments you are going to be playing in, and specifically with the Northern Trust Open, whether you're playing or not, or still undecided? I wanted to know what your thought process is in whether or not you play that one?
TIGER WOODS: I'm going to play a few tournaments coming up.
Q. Which one next?
TIGER WOODS: I don't know.
Q. What will it take for you to play Rivera again?
TIGER WOODS: I don't know. We'll just see.
Is that a non-denial denial? Or just a denial denial?
On anchoring...
Q. With the player meeting tonight and the anchoring ban being discussed, have you ever kind of reflected on how anchoring has impacted the game in terms of your career, in terms of winning certain events and without naming names, obviously, but do you ever feel you've been deprived of some wins because you putt in a conventional way and there was somebody putting using anchoring?
TIGER WOODS: No. I'm not going to look at it like that. Generally, in the past if guys switch methods, it's usually because they're uneasy, they're a little twitchy or just don't feel comfortable, so they'll switch methods.
But we have a whole other generation that have never experienced having those twitches or having any of those type of problems, and they've grown up with anchoring the putter.
And I think that's what Mike was trying to explain when he was trying to implement this new rule is that we're getting a whole 'nother generation that have only putted with anchoring the putter, and they've just learned that one method. He believes every club should actually swing, and I agree with that.
After talking about his memories of the unforgettable 2008 U.S. Open, he was asked about Torrey and another Open. I'm not sure if he knows it's off the USGA's radar.
Q. Your thoughts on the U.S. Open ever coming back to Torrey, and are you in favor of that?
TIGER WOODS: Absolutely, absolutely. I think they've proven that they can host a great U.S. Open here. We, as players, play here each and every year, and we love the golf course. It's hard.
And I think the USGA is trying to make a concerted effort ever since '02 going to Bethpage for the first time and big public venues. This is the west coast version. And it was amazing. The turnout, the fans, the support, the crowds, I mean, it was just a great atmosphere.
I think with having the other golf course right here for parking and all that, I think certainly I think Torrey Pines and everyone here involved in it really made this tournament special, and I think the USGA will definitely come back.
Pssst...that's a negative!
On a serious note, I'm still trying to figure out how to word this question of Tiger: do you want to see the U.S. Open return here one more time before you are, uh, uh,
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Reader Comments (29)
Translated for all those listening from home that means "Jerry West still has not asked me for the order and until he does he won't get it..."!!!
And to all those who say he owes something to the LA Open, most sponsors would be very happy if a sponsor exemption came back for nearly a decade after, or returned the sort of investment they got from having Tiger in the field. Oh and passt it's a different sponsor.
(now can we please, please, please move on from Tiger and Riviera it' a dead issue)
He's a coward who loves a little game of cat and mouse.
What tournaments you are going to be playing in, and specifically with the Northern Trust Open, whether you're playing or not, or still undecided? I wanted to know what your thought process is in whether or not you play that one?
TIGER WOODS: I'm going to play a few tournaments coming up.
Q. Which one next?
TIGER WOODS: I don't know.
Q. What will it take for you to play Rivera again?
TIGER WOODS: I don't know. We'll just see.
Is that a non-denial denial? Or just a denial denial?
_______________________
Let ME tell you what it is: it's a Total Dick Move. First, it's a complete and utter lie. Woods DOESN'T KNOW the next event on his schedule? Horsecrap. You and I both know that TW plans his schedule for the year and virtually without exception he's sticking to it. You don't want to play in your hometown of Los Angeles, the same place you received a sponsor's exemption at the age of 16? Fine. But why not have the balls to say so?
Why Woodhead continues with the great mystery of his upcoming schedule is simply beyond me. Announcing several weeks in advance would only allow sponsors to sell more tickets, writers to create more storylines and merely help promote the PGA Tour.
But no: the once-in-control Tiger Woods simply hasn't the courtesy to do the decent thing. I'm shocked. Shocked!
...how would that have helped the situation? If he leaves it open ended at least there's a tiny sliver of hope for the future.
@FW I never said you couldn't comment on it, I said it's a dead issue. Why he doesn't play makes sense, lots of guys don't play tournaments that they theoretically "owe" more to than Tiger to Northern Trust. The constant hocking up of the issue is boring
@BenS a)Tiger committed to Torey a couple weeks in advance. I have no inside info on this, but I expect he'll commit to both WGC's and Honda shortly after Torrey. But if he discusses his upcoming schedule in a pre-tourn press conf it creates a news cycle about those other tournaments, probably not what Farmers and Torrey want.
Up here in Canada (eh), it's like this - you can get a ticket for the Canadian Open at any time, including the day of the event. It'll never sell out UNLESS Tiger commits. Then, there's no way in hell you can get a ticket. So, you would have been better off buying in advance just in case he did commit at a later time. If he says no publicly, that game is over as far as advance ticket sales are concerned. Of course, this was true a few years ago when there was still some chance that he might show up.
1) What is the real reason Tiger doesn't play the LA Open? Doesn't like the course, sponsor, greens, etc??
2) Why won't the USGA go back to Torrey Pines? I realize its not the most architecturally interesting course out there (and Southern Hills or Erin Hills is??) but prime time TV, eye candy views, public, etc....seems like a good fit to me.
Who cares where Phil lives to evade taxes....there is a global cottage industry to advise uber rich people where to live in an effort to evade taxes....KPMG knows the drill. I actually like Phil, but getting sympathy for someone worth hundreds of millions is sort of a joke.
My understandning is...
1) doesn't like bumpy greens @ Riv
2) USGA doesn't want ot hold Open at venues with regular tour stops.
I think sunDevil's point above about not wanting to go to courses that host a yearly PGA Tour stop is primary, but also believe a healthy fear of grandstanding politicians factors in as well.
Anyone bite? We all want to know, betcha.
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