Tiger Woods can go in either direction after public humiliation
Tiger Woods leaves the podium after a 13-minute confessional, taking no questions. (Bloomberg photo)
We are used to witnessing confidence and cool. We are used to seeing Tiger Woods standing over a 12-foot putt, with several million people watching and several million dollars on the line, and calmly tapping a small white ball into a four-inch cup.
We are used to uncommon resolve: 14 victories in majors, the first at the Masters when he was 21, the last at the U.S. Open when he labored on a torn knee ligament and a double stress fracture in his tibia.
We saw none of that Friday. We saw a broken man. We saw flaws. It was uncomfortable. Woods, who used to own the room because he owned his sport and to a degree the celebrity landscape, read from a statement that he might’ve rehearsed 1,000 times. Still the words tumbled out of his mouth slowly like he was speaking a foreign language. In a sense, he was.
This is what happens when reality hits. We’ve seen it before — weeping evangelists after sex scandals, fallen athletes after failed drug tests, Hollywood celebrities after DUIs. This was Tiger Woods off stage. It wasn’t pretty.
“I have a lot to atone for,” he said.
Tiger Woods' mother, Kultida, watched his speech from the front row. The two embraced afterward. (AP photo)
What will public humiliation mean for his future? Possibly everything. Some boxers are never the same after they get knocked down for the first time. The air of invincibility is gone. We can’t be certain how Woods will be affected by the knowledge that he is no longer universally admired and revered.
What does it mean for his future? Possibly nothing. Great athletes operate with tunnel vision. Woods thrived, despite meteoric expectations and pressure, the death of his father, injuries, certainly multiple women texting his cell phone. The great ones are driven by failure and criticism and a doubting public.
But Woods said it himself: We judge by actions, not orchestrated press conferences. To predict what happens the next time Woods steps onto a golf course is futile.
We’ve come to expect greatness from Woods. If he entered and won the Masters in April, it wouldn’t be surprising. Why? Because it would be so Tiger. Because he’s that good. Because unlike a mountain of record holders in sports, Woods never cheated his game. He broke commandments.
He no longer has the perfect life. He is staple content on TMZ. Some 40 Stepford-looking supporters and a few hand-selected media members witnessed Woods’ statement in a room from the PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. But among the missing: his wife, Elin Nordegren.
“Every one of you has good reason to be critical of me,” Woods said in a 13-minute statement, with his mother, Kultida, watching from the front row. “I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. I am the only person to blame.”
A dozen women, from porn actresses to a coffee shop waitress, claim to have had affairs with Woods. Multiple reports said the news led to an argument between Woods and his wife, leading to him rushing out of his home Thanksgiving night and crashing his Escalade into a tree. Woods denied reports that Elin hit him with a golf club, although it was strange he actually made an issue of it Friday, saying: “There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise. Elin deserves praise, not blame.”
Question: Who was ever blaming her? And why even address allegations of performance-enhancing drugs, a story that has received little attention, on this day?
He admitted spending 45 days in rehab, and will return there soon (though for the record he never specified it was for a sex addiction, only “the issues I’m facing”).
“I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in,” he said. “I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply. I thought only about myself. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled.”
When it was over, Woods and his mother, Kultida, embraced. “I’m so proud of you. Never think you stand alone,” she told him.
He is not alone. But he’s no longer on a pedestal either. Now we’ll learn how he reacts to that.
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119 comments Add your comment
hop
February 19th, 2010
4:14 pm
bottom line jeff, it is none of your business and the press can go to hell!
todd grantham
February 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
Jeff, are we at the point we can say “all’s well that ends well”?
black sheep
February 19th, 2010
4:18 pm
first
black sheep
February 19th, 2010
4:23 pm
It’s not over by a long shot no matter how badly he wants it to be. He will be questioned by the press in conferences and by once fans on the golf course. How very scripted the tigger soliloquy was.
black sheep
February 19th, 2010
4:30 pm
I am still waiting for the golf writers and the PGA to rip him a new one for his actions on the course- his profanity, hitting the ground with his club, throwing his clubs, and his behavior in general. That does not even touch his boorish behavior when he loses. He will never be held in the same esteem that the past greats will be imo for those reasons as well as his off course behavior over the last many years-certainly before his marraige.
Cheata
February 19th, 2010
4:38 pm
Tiger has acted like a brat his entire golfing career – no different today. It has always been evident in his disrespect for the game, cursing, throwing clubs, evil looks, lack of access. Recently, law enforcement didn’t require his available blood to be evaluated at the hospital after his crash to test for alcohol. He doesn’t speak for three months then holds a closed press conference reading a scripted message someone else wrote for him. Obviously he is above the standard the rest of us are held to. You reap what you sow. He doesn’t deserve any special treatments and needs to step down from his throne. It should be fun to watch the upcoming episodes of Tiger vs. Cheetah.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
February 19th, 2010
4:40 pm
10 bucks says he will pass the 18 majors win total within the next 4 years. As bad as he is as a husband, he has no peers on the golf course. What will become of the other tour players if he puts all of his “distractions” behind him and really focuses on his golf game? I get a feeling that once again they will be playing for a distant second place. Before he started his misadventures, he was darn near invincible, he will be so again. On the course, of course
Billy O
February 19th, 2010
4:49 pm
Everything Tiger said is probably true and I’m sure that he is truly sorry……sorry he got caught! As my wife said, “He’s a PIG”. I agree with Black Sheep, it’s not over. He should have taken questions to get it over with because the questions are still going to come. He is just the latest of the arrogant, rich athletes who have no morals and think they don’t have to answer to anyone.
clean up your yard
February 19th, 2010
5:05 pm
I would not walk across the pavement to meet him or see him play even if I had a free ticket. You just can’t buy class.
Paul H
February 19th, 2010
5:06 pm
To everyone who keeps saying he didn’t “owe” us anything – you’re wrong. When you making millions of dollars selling an image, and you betray that image and deceive the people who believed in you, you better believe you owe an apology and an explanation.
Tell It Like It Is
February 19th, 2010
5:10 pm
One thing is for sure. Tiger will bring his “A” game when he returns. Lets see who steps up to compete. The game will be on and happy days will be here again.
Jandrew
February 19th, 2010
5:12 pm
Who cares!
clean up your yard
February 19th, 2010
5:14 pm
Paul H Don’t try and confuse them with facts- they prefer to believe their fiction- kinda like Nascar.
clean up your yard
February 19th, 2010
5:15 pm
Or WWE.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2010
5:19 pm
Golf is for wussies. Give me a sport where people hit each other.
extremus
February 19th, 2010
5:21 pm
I never cease to be amazed at how much time and energy the public and especially the media spend in adoring athletes and celebrities, and just as easily turn on them like a ravenous pack of wolves when they do something stupid in their lives. Would we have heard all of this hoopla over Tiger Woods the past few months if he’d always had a reputation as a swinging ladies’ man? Of course not; he got singled out as much because of his clean-cut image as he did for being the best golfer in the world. We keep telling ourselves that greatness on the field, on the court, on the golf course deserves recognition and enshrinement in our Hall of Fames, and yet why is it that names like Pete Rose and Michael Vick will likely never be included in those hallowed halls? Because, though we don’t admit often enough, character matters in the equation. We want our kids to grow up emulating people of moral and ethical character, not talented but egocentric athletes.
So Tiger Woods sinned. Yes, he did. But the same goes for every single one of us, especially the ones in the media who tend to lift folks like Woods up to godhood status. I guess it makes sense from a psychological perspective that we like to make gods that are somehow like us, flawed and imperfect. It makes us feel somehow vindicated for our own transgressions when we see them inevitably fall. But beware any of you who would throw stones at Woods or anyone else caught in sin; as Clint Eastwood’s character stated in the movie Unforgiven, “We’ve all got it comin’”. The true God is watching each and every one of us, and our actions and thoughts are also being recorded for our terrible date at His podium.
Jamaaliver
February 19th, 2010
5:29 pm
How is this any different from what Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Jack Kennedy or so many other flawed ‘heroes’ did in their time. His biggest mistake was living in an age of gossip sites, paparazzi and twenty four hours news cycles.
He is as flawed as any other celebrity or sports hero. No more, no less.
Ned Striker
February 19th, 2010
6:01 pm
Ted, I’ve been on the course with you. Standing beside you on the fairway, there is a real chance of people getting hit.
Bob Horner stayed hurt
February 19th, 2010
6:05 pm
been watching the TV coverage all day…..I feel sorry for Tiger…look at the audience..he has no “lifelong friends..” there…no drinking buddies from Stanford..that is sad, IMO….Tiger is phoney…he’s plastic…dude has no heart….
Asheville Dawg
February 19th, 2010
6:06 pm
He is what he is, a mere mortal man. This really is between his spouse and himself. But it sure would be interesting to be the fly on that wall.
the real david baker
February 19th, 2010
6:08 pm
Gee, you think that Tom Watson is satisfied now?
the real david baker
February 19th, 2010
6:10 pm
And Johnny. Let’s hear from his saintness.
Bob Horner stayed hurt
February 19th, 2010
6:11 pm
What if Elin attended the speech…sat on the front row….and they hugged and cried in each others arms upon completion of his speech…..Would that have satisfied our zeal for Tiger’s demise..??
the real david baker
February 19th, 2010
6:13 pm
What about Ernie?
or Kenny?
WMD
February 19th, 2010
6:14 pm
It’s about his jerkness tigger not watson or any of the others- thanks for playing
Bob Horner stayed hurt
February 19th, 2010
6:16 pm
Ned…you made me LOL
Neda
February 19th, 2010
6:17 pm
Tiger has deep regrets, yes. Regrets that he got caught and will have to give up his partying and his whores.
I have no sympathy for an adulterer.
wxwax
February 19th, 2010
6:24 pm
Jeff, a number of people speculated about Woods using PED’s after the accident. I remember one particularly vicious piece of irresponsible speculation in the LA Times.
It was the kind of piling-on that happens when a celebrity falls. None of the writers ever presented any evidence, of course, beyond the weak connection to the busted Canadian doctor.
junebaby
February 19th, 2010
6:30 pm
i’d bet all of the so-called men on this blog calling for an apology from tiger, are having marital problems or relationship problems as they speak! i would suspect all of their significant others are cheating on them(or has cheated in the past), and they are clueless as to what to do about it, so they’re transferring their sissyness to tiger. then you have your flat-out racists like black sheep, and cheata, and others of that ilk. all of them have their own agendas to push. that’s why they’re so strident about an affair that they have nothing to do with, or that has harmed them in any way or shape. for those of you who say he’s let you down, you’re lying through your teeth, because you’ve never met the man and had no kind of relationship with him. and bloggers like black sheep and cheata peruse every internet article, so they can add their own special blend of seasoning. and lo and behold, along comes the ultimate race-baiter, “sgt shultz” to give them a forum. i know a lot of you won’t like what i wrote, but if you throw stones, you should expect to be stoned back! i suspect you should go home and get your own house in order. because why you’re crying wolf tears about tiger woods, jody may have your girl, and he’s in the process of tossin’ her up.
Chris Murphy, Atlanta, GA
February 19th, 2010
6:44 pm
I still remember what Jack Nichlaus said, when asked if Tiger was the greatest golfer ever. You’d expect another icon in a sport to have mixed feelings about the guy who was being annointed to take Jack’s crown. Nichlaus didn’t sound envious, just pragmatic: “He’s single, wait till after he’s been married.” At the time, I thought it was a strange comment; Jack has what? 5 sons? I couldn’t figure out exactly what he meant, and why he’d say that as the factor that would affect Tiger the most.
Now, I wonder if Nichlaus knew what Tiger was really like.
WMD
February 19th, 2010
6:48 pm
junebaby I’ll bet you are a moron. Standing for the brotha are ya???
Bob Horner stayed hurt
February 19th, 2010
6:50 pm
Chris Murphy, Atlanta, GA
…nobody knew “what Tiger was like”….he has more defense mechanisms than anyone……he’s not real…..
WMD
February 19th, 2010
6:51 pm
Chris Murphy, Atlanta, GA I have no doubt that the players and writers alike have known what tigger was like and what he has been doing. I suspect that in the future he can no longer expect their silence. I suspect too he has been this way since before he hit the tour. An old friend was quoted as saying that he did not understand why tigger got married- that he was doing this for years before his marriage.
Tell It Like It Is
February 19th, 2010
7:15 pm
WMD
I assume that your blog handle is an acronym for “White Male Dummy”. You have all of the tell tale traits of a dummy.
Pluto
February 19th, 2010
7:17 pm
It was nothing more than a Pitch to his Sponsors and Potential Sponsors. The Media – devoid of Morals and Standards – will aid and abet his “Rebirth”.
As usual – funny how things change so little over time – The Mob will scream with Joy when he returns.
The Mob always does what it is told. It is conditioned by the Media.
junebaby
February 19th, 2010
7:18 pm
WMD
TELL IT LIKE IT IS…, said it all
Tell It Like It Is
February 19th, 2010
7:43 pm
Pluto,
Tiger has adopted the rules of engagement as dictated by capitalism. What’s wrong with that. It’s the American way. Are you saying that Americans have mob mentality? You sound like Ernie Els and some of the other European golfers who criticize him even though they have moved here to take advantage of the golf purses created by Tiger’s talent on the course.
NRBQ
February 19th, 2010
8:13 pm
True golf fans, which eliminates 99% of the responders here, know Tiger has unmatchable focus and heart on the course.
That hasn’t changed since he was hitting shots on TV at three years old, or winning World Juniors every year, or 5 consecutive National Amateur Championships when he was a skinny adolescent, or the record-breaking fashion in which he won his first Masters as a pro.
Kicking ass and taking names on the golf course is his milieu, and will be again. You internet haters will have to live with it.
Ken Stallings
February 19th, 2010
8:15 pm
As you said, Schultz, the path lies before him and he can easily choose either one. Staying faithful to your wife and family isn’t difficult. Most men and women live a lifetime doing it. The choice is wholly within the soul of the individual.
So, Woods can easily recover from this, stronger than ever frankly. It’s entirely likely his golf game suffered because of the destractions of his many affairs. Many suspected once married, he would settle down and become an even better golfer.
This really did not happen. Perhaps now we know the reason. I think as he said, he knew the sinful nature of his actions and I think it caused him problem with his golf game. Of course, the effect on his family is vastly more important.
I thought his apology was as good as it could be expected to be. I also believe that the apology is superflous. The actions define the man.
?
February 19th, 2010
8:22 pm
Who’s your Daddy.
?
February 19th, 2010
8:28 pm
Who cares!
"Chef" Tim Dix
February 19th, 2010
8:29 pm
Jeff, is being Tiger worse then being MV7 and if so why?
You have to be kidding.
February 19th, 2010
8:31 pm
Why would ANYONE even care what happens to this sob? The average man does not do what he did. He deserves no sympathy. I am totally through watching golf.
?
February 19th, 2010
8:33 pm
Tell it like it is….. golf has been around a lot longer than tiger woods.So has Ernie Eles.
"Chef" Tim Dix
February 19th, 2010
8:33 pm
And, why give “Denny’s waitress” a bad name? Why not a waitress?
Not to promote or disgrace “Denny’s”.
Mark
February 19th, 2010
9:06 pm
Ned that was hysterical!
Mark
February 19th, 2010
9:08 pm
Like I said yesterday, he’s only sorry he got caught. Telling us there was no violence. Yeah you just drive your car off the road in your neighborhood for no reason. Shucks, that happens to me at least once a month! What a liar. And to read the script. He had how much time to memorize it and speak from his heart. Forget you Tiger. I will never root for your sorry a__ again. Adios.
Jim
February 19th, 2010
9:15 pm
He’s always been a punk. He drops the fword when he hits a bad shot but of course they cut away from his tantrums on tv. Anybody who has been to a tournament knows he was never a role model.
beavis and butthead
February 19th, 2010
9:18 pm
Junebabe…go back to gammar schoooooooll Dig It???!!
Go West
February 19th, 2010
9:24 pm
I laugh at the people who say he loves his wife. Hahahah. Maybe and it’s a huge maybe if he messed around with ONE person you could say that. With 14 known and likely several others. Not a chance.
Tom
February 19th, 2010
9:28 pm
Hey June agenda? Is this a stock message board? What could someone possibly gain by writing on here? Are they trying to sway public opinion because they placed a bet on Tiger? What a dumb word choice.
Good article
February 19th, 2010
9:32 pm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/golf/article7034461.ece
David Granger
February 19th, 2010
9:34 pm
This “press conference” didn’t help him. He’d have been better just to release a written statement, without this charade of people sitting quietly while he recited his little speech.
Brantley
February 19th, 2010
9:40 pm
Did anyone see the woman sitting on the right move her head and roll her eyes when Tiger said the media needed to leave him and his family alone? Too funny
benchwarmer
February 19th, 2010
9:52 pm
I really respect Tigers ability and heart on the course. He is probably the greatest of all time. However even in the beginning of his career to this day he has shunned most of his fellow professionals and acted exactly like he said, entitled. I would like to see what happens the next time he or his caddy take it upon themselves to break someones camera or curse one of the spectators. A class act he ain’t. We just didn’t know how bad it was. Jesper had it right. Tiger we didn’t know you.
Carmen
February 19th, 2010
9:55 pm
I am glad that Tiger Woods broke his silence. After listening to Tiger I feel positive that he is going in the right direction to get his derailed life back on the right track. I think that in each one of us there is a divine power that can be used to help us overcome any obstacle and adversity. I am encouraged that Tiger mentioned he is using his inner strength to regain balance in his life to save the two things that are most important to him, his wife and his children. Tiger said that Elin deserves praise and I wholeheartedly agreed. I want to tell Tiger that I hope and pray that one day Elin find room in her heart to believe in him again. God Bless!
oldfart
February 19th, 2010
10:11 pm
My bs meter works pretty good. Today’s was enough to grow a field of corn.
dbc
February 19th, 2010
11:03 pm
I feel sad for any adult blogger who feels Tiger owes them an apology. “Believing” in a professional athlete or celebrity that you don’t even know just because they’re on TV is more a reflection of your own insecurities than the failure of that individual. Tiger owes nothing to anyone except his family. If you live and die by what Tiger does, and feel slighted by his actions, perhaps you need to get a handle on your own situation.
Scott Anderson
February 19th, 2010
11:43 pm
Nothing more than trying to get back on track to make another billion dollars in the future.
I dont see how Elin can stay with him at this point. Too many memorys of his past transgressions will probably do them in.
Go Tiger !
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
February 20th, 2010
12:52 am
woods is a moron. this could’ve been handled back in november and the press/media would not have had a field day with it. he gets what he deserves.
white man
February 20th, 2010
2:38 am
For anyone who does not know, this is THE YEAR OF THE TIGER. Anyone who looks to sports figures as role models are idiots.
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:41 am
protect your club
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:43 am
protect Tiger’s wood
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:45 am
for the man who had everything- i mean every woman
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:46 am
mat not help you out of every sticky situation
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:47 am
Enter your comments here
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:49 am
does your wife hate a dirty club?
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:49 am
never a hole in one
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:50 am
good for your long game
TIGER CUB CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:51 am
good for your short game
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:52 am
get out of that trap safe
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:53 am
a swingers choice
TIGER CONDOMS
February 20th, 2010
2:56 am
when your not thinking about your wife
dawgdip
February 20th, 2010
7:57 am
” Let the man or woman who has never broken one of the ten commandments cast the first stone at Tiger Woods.” Tiger, the real place for total forgiveness is in Jesus Christ. Buddism might get you through this life but it will not get you through eternity.
BuLLdawg
February 20th, 2010
8:06 am
Elin Nordegren is a sweet gal who should not have had this happen to her. Do I believe she took a golf club to his cheating butt ? Yes. Absolutely she did, in my opinion. It is what happens in this situation. God Almighty Tiger Woods you are entitled.
Tiger Woods is married.
All the porn stars with their 18 porn movies in the last 2 years of their affairs with Tiger Woods, and there are dozens who say they have slept with Tiger Woods are all well aware that Tiger Woods is married to one of the world’s greatest ladies.
All of them owe Elin Nordegren an apology.
Tiger Woods looked horrible today.
The only reason I watch any golf is because of Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods failed to mention all the dozens of women who were willing to share his bed with him, married. In fact, he named none of them
Rachel Uchitel: the original Tiger Woods’ mistress. She is a 34-year-old woman with a history of dating celebrities who lives in New York.
Jaimee Grubbs: A cocktail waitress from Las Vegas, Jamie Grubbs is the woman who released text messages and voicemails from Tiger Woods, and she also appeared on Tool Academy on VHI.
Kalika Moquin: A marketing manager for the Bank nightclub also in Las Vegas.
Jamie Jungers: She is the Las Vegas model who says she met him in a nightclub, and then again in California and Chicago.
Mindy Lawton: She works as a waitress in Orlando, she says that she met Tiger while working in a diner near his home.
Cori Rist: She met Tiger at a Manhattan nightclub and then met up with him numerous times at other hotels.
Holly Sampson: She is an LA porn star, having made over 85 porno films and TV shows.
The next woman is called a VIP server at an Orlando club, although she has not officially been named to the press. She claims their affair began in 2004 before he married Elin, but continued after.
Another woman is apparently a television broadcaster and another is just described as a sex-addicted cougar.
Joslyn James: Another porn star who also goes by the name of Veronica Siwik-Daniels, and she bragged about having an affair with Tiger on her Facebook page.
The next alleged mistress is the one who claims to have had an affair with Tiger and aborted his child in 2007. She has not been named at this time.
The next woman comes from the biographer Ian Halperin who says a woman approached him two years ago with an audio file of Tiger Woods having phone sex. However, there is still no proof that this is real.
Yet another woman who hadn’t been named had come forward and hired the same lawyer as Rachel Uchitel. RadarOnline insists that this woman has not come forward already. This woman may be Theresa Rogers but that has not been confirmed officially yet.
Loredana Jolie: She is supposed to be Tiger Wood’s favorite call girl from the whole list. She’s a Playboy model and she says she was paid for her services.
The next woman (this brings us to number 16) has also not been named, but she is claiming that she tried to get pregnant by Tiger Woods and have his baby without him knowing.
Number 17 may be Julie Postle, whose ex-boyfriend claimed that their affair continued after Tiger was married.
So that’s it for now – 17 women all of whom know exactly who Tiger Woods is, and all 17 who were very aware of Elin Nordegren and their entire family.
2 Children, both boys born 2007 and 2009 Sam and Charlie.
Their 2 million dollar
Wedding attended by Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan among 150.
Billion.
Tiger Woods has more than a Billion Dollars.
He has Lost all his Endorsements.
He did not make a billion dollars golfing.
Tiger Woods said today that he is entitled to pay for sex on a daily basis with whomever he wants. That is exactly what he said.
And, that it is none of our business.
I will not be watching golf.
I never did before Tiger Woods.
I never will now, either.
To all the golfers who are hurt by the timing of today’s statement, when of course, this all transpired while we ate Turkey Thanksgiving 3 months ago.
Excuse me, this is a selfish man.
And, your sport is nothing without him.
Nothing, that is what golf is.
I know that the 17 women mistresses we know of who have come forward so far and are somewhat verified going back over a decade so far, feel like they are miffed by Tiger Woods prepared news non-conference, not naming them.
The golfers are upset; that part I am quite clear on.
Elin Nordegren, dear, I know how you are wounded. All I can say, is that in time, you will get over it only by looking at Tiger Woods for the man he is. No other way.
Sam and Charlie are the ones who will be impaired the most for the longest.
His now former sponsors are damaged by his selfishness; I can appreciate that.
Buddhism. I really do not know much about Tiger Woods’ religious obedience. Buddhism does not condone what is happening here. Tiger Woods can claim Buddhism all he wants. This is all completely contrary to the teachings and principles of Buddhism.
Selfish.
Self-centered, self-seeking, self-interested, egotistical, egocentric Tiger Woods.
Elin Nordegren did not spend the night with Tiger Woods tonight. She will not. Her 2 boys Charlie and Sam are not spending the night with Tiger Woods tonight. The 17 known mistresses ? He has certainly thought about it.
I know folks who are in committed-relationships who are not married and would never find themselves with 1 mistress. Ok, the 17 are beautiful. So what ? Is his life worth nothing ?
There are so many people you have injured Tiger Woods. So many. I do not feel that you have even apologized to me, let alone all these whom I name by name Tiger Woods.
I will listen to you Tiger Woods. That is more than you deserve. You are fast approaching 100 days gone by during which extended time, you have not addressed me, indeed anyone except Elin Nordegren.
If you really believe in your heart of hearts that this is only private between you and Elin Nordegren, then fine, I will just turn my back on you too. Your days to get this fixed are in short supply with me because you need to understand that fundamental to this marriage and children, is speaking freely from your heart. You don’t get it, not with Elin Nordegren, Sam, Charlie, 17 known mistresses, thousands on the Golf Tour, billions in Sponsorships, or just a plain ole country boy sitting there waiting on the 18th green to get a glimpse of their hero after waiting 8 hours for that 1 fleeting moment, or watch endless parades of no-name golfers never doing anything on TV just to see your freeze-frame of one of your putts. I’m ill-treated by you Tiger Woods; I’m one of your little ole fans who sat and watched you. You haven’t apologized to anyone. Try facing us; we might just listen if you answer our questions. I would do that quickly. I would have done it 100 days ago. At this point, you are an elitist cad in a sport that frankly is probably eat up with cads like yourself for you to sit there and try to tell us that you felt entitled. Now, where’s your apology, facing us ?
BuLLdawg
February 20th, 2010
8:07 am
Elin Nordegren is a sweet gal who should not have had this happen to her. Do I believe she took a golf club to his cheating butt ? Yes. Absolutely she did, in my opinion. It is what happens in this situation. God Almighty Tiger Woods you are entitled.
Tiger Woods is married.
All the porn stars with their 18 porn movies in the last 2 years of their affairs with Tiger Woods, and there are dozens who say they have slept with Tiger Woods are all well aware that Tiger Woods is married to one of the world’s greatest ladies.
All of them owe Elin Nordegren an apology.
Tiger Woods looked horrible today.
The only reason I watch any golf is because of Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods failed to mention all the dozens of women who were willing to share his bed with him, married. In fact, he named none of them
Rachel Uchitel: the original Tiger Woods’ mistress. She is a 34-year-old woman with a history of dating celebrities who lives in New York.
Jaimee Grubbs: A cocktail waitress from Las Vegas, Jamie Grubbs is the woman who released text messages and voicemails from Tiger Woods, and she also appeared on Tool Academy on VHI.
Kalika Moquin: A marketing manager for the Bank nightclub also in Las Vegas.
Jamie Jungers: She is the Las Vegas model who says she met him in a nightclub, and then again in California and Chicago.
Mindy Lawton: She works as a waitress in Orlando, she says that she met Tiger while working in a diner near his home.
Cori Rist: She met Tiger at a Manhattan nightclub and then met up with him numerous times at other hotels.
Holly Sampson: She is an LA porn star, having made over 85 porno films and TV shows.
The next woman is called a VIP server at an Orlando club, although she has not officially been named to the press. She claims their affair began in 2004 before he married Elin, but continued after.
Another woman is apparently a television broadcaster and another is just described as a sex-addicted cougar.
Joslyn James: Another porn star who also goes by the name of Veronica Siwik-Daniels, and she bragged about having an affair with Tiger on her Facebook page.
The next alleged mistress is the one who claims to have had an affair with Tiger and aborted his child in 2007. She has not been named at this time.
The next woman comes from the biographer Ian Halperin who says a woman approached him two years ago with an audio file of Tiger Woods having phone sex. However, there is still no proof that this is real.
Yet another woman who hadn’t been named had come forward and hired the same lawyer as Rachel Uchitel. RadarOnline insists that this woman has not come forward already. This woman may be Theresa Rogers but that has not been confirmed officially yet.
Loredana Jolie: She is supposed to be Tiger Wood’s favorite call girl from the whole list. She’s a Playboy model and she says she was paid for her services.
The next woman (this brings us to number 16) has also not been named, but she is claiming that she tried to get pregnant by Tiger Woods and have his baby without him knowing.
Number 17 may be Julie Postle, whose ex-boyfriend claimed that their affair continued after Tiger was married.
BuLLdawg
February 20th, 2010
8:08 am
Elin Nordegren is a sweet gal who should not have had this happen to her. Do I believe she took a golf club to his cheating butt ? Yes. Absolutely she did, in my opinion. It is what happens in this situation. God Almighty Tiger Woods you are entitled.
Tiger Woods is married.
All the porn stars with their 18 porn movies in the last 2 years of their affairs with Tiger Woods, and there are dozens who say they have slept with Tiger Woods are all well aware that Tiger Woods is married to one of the world’s greatest ladies.
All of them owe Elin Nordegren an apology.
Tiger Woods looked horrible today.
The only reason I watch any golf is because of Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods failed to mention all the dozens of women who were willing to share his bed with him, married. In fact, he named none of them
Rachel Uchitel: the original Tiger Woods’ mistress. She is a 34-year-old woman with a history of dating celebrities who lives in New York.
Jaimee Grubbs: A cocktail waitress from Las Vegas, Jamie Grubbs is the woman who released text messages and voicemails from Tiger Woods, and she also appeared on Tool Academy on VHI.
Kalika Moquin: A marketing manager for the Bank nightclub also in Las Vegas.
Jamie Jungers: She is the Las Vegas model who says she met him in a nightclub, and then again in California and Chicago.
PTC
February 20th, 2010
8:19 am
WGAS?
leland
February 20th, 2010
8:42 am
If people really want to help Tiger, they should never yell, “Get in the hole,” when he’s around.
Gen Neyland
February 20th, 2010
8:43 am
Geez..Did anybody catch Gloria Allred defending her Tiger jilted porn star client last night on FoxNews..? Talk about a comedic distraction to this whole thing. SNL couldn’t have written a better script than Ms Allred was laying down. To paraphrase Ms Allred, “Men should not promise love and affection to a porn star to win a trip to play Sandy’s Trap.”
CHEF MONTUER
February 20th, 2010
8:43 am
Geaux Tiger! You da man!
CHEF MONTUER
February 20th, 2010
8:45 am
Except for all those skanks! Coulda found some hotter chicks at that Orlando strip club!
CHEF MONTUER
February 20th, 2010
8:46 am
Except for all those skanks. Coulda found hotter chicks at that Orlando strip club
Terrible Truth
February 20th, 2010
8:56 am
If he wants to start living a life of integrity as he said in his statement, start by dropping that stupid ass fist pump on the green, the strutting and open mouth roar and the pawing of caddie, Steve Williams. Honestly, I always thought THEY had a down low relationship. Still, if he never wins another tournament, he will go down as THE greatest, arrogant, mouth-breather jerk to ever play the game.
PDawg
February 20th, 2010
9:06 am
Tiger will never be the same on the course or off. I don’t believe he will win 5 more majors. I just don’t see that Tiger ever coming back. He could win 25 majors and not be a better golfer than Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer.
oconeedawg
February 20th, 2010
9:16 am
Ah yes, another narcassistic, immature, ego maniac, sports figure who treats the world as his personal playground and the people in it as his toys. With all the announcers and sports pundits telling us what a firece competitor Woods is, maybe he was going after Wilt Chamberlin’s record.
Yet another weak intellect who was bested by his animal instincts.
Sloan
February 20th, 2010
9:22 am
I listened to Tiger’s statement on the radio yesterday as I was unable to get in front of a television. Not having the benefit of seeing his body language (and I have not watched a video yet), I thought that Tiger said the right things and the inflection, emotion, etc. evident in his reading of the statement convinced me that he is sincere in his desire to change his ways. Whether or not Elin and Tiger reconcile is their business not mine. We are all human and therefore born into sin. We are all in need of constant apology because of this so while I think what he did was very unfortunate and unwise, I cannot stand in judgement of him. But I do hope that he comes to know Jesus Christ as Tiger needs the grace of his maker to truly make things right and wash away his sin. No amount of public apologies will do that for him. He’ll be a better man when he becomes a new creation baptized by water and the Spirit. Golf is just a game.
Dr.Phil
February 20th, 2010
9:36 am
Needs to be drug tested before being allowed to play in another PGA tournament!
vafalconfan
February 20th, 2010
10:18 am
All I can say is Buddism is not the answer..until he ackowledges Jesus his life will continue to spiral downward.
rex
February 20th, 2010
10:26 am
how can anyone believe he did NOT use PEDs when the police refuse to even give him a blood test or breathalyzer after crashing your truck at a fairly high rate of speed from your driveway ?
IF Tiger was tested I would not trust the results…..obviously he can still wield power from behind the scenes and would show clean no matter what he may have taken. Maybe PEDs did help him hit the ball farther ? Who knows now, and since he has zero credibility…..we may never know.
Pago Pago Trojan
February 20th, 2010
10:41 am
So what? He’s the worlds greatest golfer and with billion $$ in the bank. And, likes blondes. Who doesn’t!
Without-a-clue
February 20th, 2010
11:03 am
For backgound: I am not a Tiger fan and I am white. That said, he has given the press and public all he owes us. The rest is between he and his wife. Let them alone.
SOUTHGADAWG88
February 20th, 2010
11:25 am
Tiger Woods made golf chic…made a billion dollars along the way…does ANYONE really care about him running around on his wife?Seems to me it didn’t have much affect on peoples opinion of JFK,Bill Clinton,MLK or M.Jordan,Charles Barkley etc so WHY is it such a big deal for Woods?
Reid Adair
February 20th, 2010
11:50 am
I was disgusted by this scripted speech from the beginning, and when I saw a clip on the news last night, it looked like Woods was preaching to a small congregation.
Then, I heard about this quote: “I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled.”
So, basically, Woods thought that adultery was OK since he was a celebrity? Seriously?
And how about the fact that many people believe he intentionally chose yesterday for the event to distract from the Accenture golf event? Remember Accenture? The first company to drop Woods from endorsing their company?
Woods was able to control this environment, but he, his agent and the PGA won’t be able to control it forever. Sooner or later, he’ll be sitting in front of reporters who are allowed to ask questions. Sooner or later, he’ll be on a golf course and able to hear comments from people who aren’t looking to pat him on the back and kiss up to him.
Then we can truly see how he handles it.
Stan Kelley
February 20th, 2010
1:46 pm
I hope he goes to a Buddhist Monastery for a year or more or maybe forever. He owes me, you (especially reptilians like Dutch Schultz (the Kraut) nothing whatsoever. He owes the game of golf nothing. He should have never tried golf. His mother’s Buddhism and his father’s passion for golf could not maintain any kind of balance (Yin/Yang). So, God Bless you Tiger, you mother, your wife, your children and those who really care about you. The rest should go and meditate on their own sins for about a year!!!
Eric
February 20th, 2010
2:48 pm
Tiger who?
Dostoyevskiy
February 20th, 2010
3:38 pm
Deal with this: “Does Tiger have credibility?
“If not, do you want to be seeing someone constantly in front of a national camera who does not have credibility?
Stan MAY be a moron
February 20th, 2010
4:18 pm
If you think Tiger got where he is because of something other than the game of golf, you’re certifiable. Please tell us that was a “senior moment” or a typo or something.
Joseph
February 20th, 2010
5:22 pm
I hate to say it, but apologies are for endorsements. Tiger only has his wife and children to apologize to. I am sick and tired of political correctness. Say what you feel and get on with it.
Whopper Dawg
February 20th, 2010
5:27 pm
If you are going to enjoy the press and the limelight and money that goes with being an international celebrity, and enjoy the enormous paydays that come from the public’s support of golf, then when you screw up as large and as vast as he did, you are going to get some scrutiny. His actions pre and post this event are his responsibility, but in the real world, there are ramifications to your actions. To think the press and public will be content to act as if it never happened is naive.
Delbert D.
February 20th, 2010
5:36 pm
Jeff, how are you going to deal with your public humiliation after totally misreading the situation?
Felix the Cat
February 20th, 2010
5:55 pm
Tiger molested me.
John Boys' Watcher
February 20th, 2010
6:23 pm
The Fourth Estate, alias the media, are whinning because they did not get Tiger to come before them so they can be judge and jury. Nearly all of us either know and or are related to someone who committed similar transgressions so this is not an anomaly. The self righteous and the Fourth estate need to grow up! Tiger needs to get right with his family and his creator and they and they alone deserve full disclosure.
FNFAL
February 20th, 2010
6:34 pm
John Boys’ Watcher, Tiger is a Buddhist. He doesn’t believe in a humanized deity. Read a book once in a while.
crafty
February 20th, 2010
9:03 pm
Big Picture: (for the few actual golf fans out there)
If Tiger pitches an 0-fer this year, with Pebble and St. Andrews on the rotation, and goes into 2011 at age 35 and needing 5 majors to pass Nicklaus…game on. His comfort zone of expectation(20-24 majors) is gone. This was supposed to be the year for him to pad his total. How many have won 5 after age 35?….Only Hogan. The most important race in the history of the game just got a lot tighter.
Melissa
February 20th, 2010
9:28 pm
Zero sympathy for the adulterer. He did it repeatedly with at least a dozen women. The only thing he’s sorry for is that he got caught.
dawg 4 u
February 20th, 2010
10:44 pm
Great column Schultz. I think you really nailed this one. Tiger is no longer the “perfect image” and now is the “flawed man.” He always was flawed just like the rest of us and now will never be on that pedastal again. We elevate these guys to god-likeness and they even start to believe it. They’re believing the public perception rather than the reality that they are no better than the rest of us – richer and more famous yes but just as flawed. He may still cruise past Nicklaus’ records but the past image is gone. I still wish him continued success on the golf course because he is one of the greatest if not the greatest ever.
otis
February 21st, 2010
12:20 am
the only mistake that you can ever make about TIGER is never underestimate what he can do. he has done it time after time after time. this will make him better just watch and see. he will show everyone why his name is TIGER. TAKE THAT TO THE BANK.
GatorJimBob
February 21st, 2010
7:11 am
it is sad that Tiger’s respect for the integrity of the game does not carry over to his personal life. It is clear that Tiger has no moral compass, lacks personal integrity, doen’t have a clue what personal committment means. He has no personal Code of Conduct. The three basic qualities that every successful person has, including Tiger; Desire, Direction and Discipline are the very same traits that failed him in his behavior off the field. If you could look up the definition of “morally bankrupt” you would see a picture of Tiger.
TommyJack
February 21st, 2010
10:33 am
That he is the best golfer ever is probable.
That he gives generously to charity is noble.
That he is one of the most sullen, disrespectful, egomaniacs is certain. The guys is
lousy with the gallery and press. His arrogance is well known. It ever trickles down to his
a-hole caddy.
No real remorse here. Presser was just a bidness deal.
SkaRoo him.
Don't feed the trolls
February 21st, 2010
11:54 am
Michael Vick is a loser and always will be.
Camille Rose
February 21st, 2010
11:59 am
Tiger will golf and win championships again, everyone will forget about all this eventually. Except he will not be with wife and about a half billion dollars. I find it laughable that some of Tigers whores were upset that he did not include them in his apology. Good Luck Tiger!
tiger
February 21st, 2010
2:02 pm
all black men cheat and whip up on their white hos
tiger
February 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
white women get what they deserve
tiger
February 21st, 2010
2:09 pm
my race is ty-coon
Stan Kelley
February 21st, 2010
7:01 pm
Stan may be a Moron is a moron, a poor golfer and a person who may need some psychotherapy, or maybe a strong laxative would do the trick.
Fish2774
February 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
For those that continue to make excuses why they’re owed and apology listen you idiots! Tiger doesn’t owe any of us an apology based of the fact that: 1. We should be role models to our kids first, 2. He never asked you to purchase a product he endorsed you choose too, 3. Remember no sin is greater than another, so when you look at another man or woman other than the one your wit while drooling over that person. Remember that’s considered “LUST” which is a sin. “So Don’t Be A Hypocrite All Your Life”.
oldfart
February 22nd, 2010
10:37 am
If I look at a woman other than the one I’m with it’s called human nature. My wife knows to check my pulse if I don’t look at a beautiful woman, men are visually stimulated more than women, and some other old fart can call that a sin if they want to, I say it is biological. Now if there is a vow of exclusivity and I act to break that vow she has every right to come at me with an 8-iron. Not a hard line to draw.
Woods making the right call on returning at Masters | Jeff Schultz
March 16th, 2010
12:22 pm
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