Tiger Woods: Love him or hate him, he’s still the show
Tiger Woods may never dominate the PGA Tour again, but he remains golf's biggest star going into the Masters. (AP photo)
If you can get past the circus and past the character defects, if you can get past Tiger Woods’ bizarre obsession with the Navy SEALs, and that three of his alleged former mistresses (porn stars) are releasing a movie Tuesday (“Notorious Tales of the World’s Greatest Golfer,” and we’re just assuming it’s not about No. 1-ranked Luke Donald), and that his former swing coach is pimping a book, here’s one undeniable truth: Woods is gold — for the PGA Tour, for the sports world, for us.
Other golfers tire of answering questions about him, but they know who moves the meter. They know who sells tickets and sponsorships and ultimately brings more money and attention to the sport, and therefore them.
Fans may be divided on him – some still clinging to the being (not human) who won 14 majors and 71 Tour events in 14 years, others refusing to let go of the being (less than human?) who burned bridges with his arrogance, rudeness, infidelities and Nike-packaged phoniness.
But Woods’ win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week should be considered welcome news, even for those who want him to do a royal face plant this week at the Masters.
He makes things interesting. He makes you watch. He creates drama. He ignites galleries.
He makes everybody ask two questions: 1) Who’s leading? 2) Where’s Tiger?
Nobody else does that.
Golf purists may not care and probably prefer otherwise: But Woods, as one of those few stars who transcends his sport, will bring eyes to the TV this week from those who otherwise find golf kind of boring.
“Say what you want — good, bad or indifferent — you’re writing about him because he’s the greatest golfer in the world,” said Billy Andrade, the long-time Atlanta pro and now analyst for the Golf Channel. “Any time he shows up, he’s Elvis. He’s a rock star. I remember taking him around for a practice round when he was 16 at the Honda Classic, and he was that way back then. He’s a game-changer.”
We’ll learn this week about the significance of Woods’ first win in over two years. We’ll see if he can drive straight and avoid three-putts and meltdowns, like those we witnessed at the Atlanta Athletic Club in August, when he failed to make the cut of the PGA Championship (77-73-Hartsfield).
We’ll see how the kid who no longer is a kid (36) can get around for four days at Augusta National after four knee surgeries and with a tender Achilles.
If Woods succeeds, the thought of catching Jack Nicklaus in career majors wins (he’s four behind) is within reach. It’s a storyline, better than some of the others we’ve witnessed.
Two years ago, it was the TMZ Masters, with stories lingering from Woods’ split with his wife, the one-car/one-tree collision, stories of porn stars and affairs and a plane pulling banners over hallowed Augusta National.
Joslyn James, one of his alleged exes, picked Masters week to display her store-bought wares at the Pink Pony. (She briefly wore a green jacket that week. He didn’t.)
This year, it’s Hank Haney, Woods’ former swing coach of six years, who’s dancing on stage with his book, “The Big Miss.” It was perfectly timed for release last week.
The book has a few interesting insights. But that doesn’t make Haney any better than James. Both are looking to profit. The only difference between the two is breast size.
Haney writes that Tiger is cheap. He writes that Tiger ate his dinner fast, left the table before he was finished and wouldn’t get him a Popsicle out of the freezer. Move over, Michener.
Haney waxes on about Woods’ fascination with the SEALs, suggesting that became more important to him than golf or the pursuit of majors. He contends Woods’ well-chronicled knee problems can be traced to several days of training (including parachute jumps) with military personnel. He writes Woods even went on long jogs in army boots around the posh golf resort of Isleworth.
Probably petrified the poor ducks.
Haney sent Woods an email: “Focus on your destiny, and that isn’t flushing bad guys out of buildings in Iraq. Just play the video games some more.”
OK. That’s funny.
“I think for Tiger it was more the challenge of thinking, ‘I can do this,’” Andrade said of Woods’ SEALs fascination. “But come on — we’re golfers, not triathletes. Stop training like Mr. Universe. All you have to do is get that little ball in the hole — and the little ball has no idea if you lifted weights or ran five miles.”
The story has changed, even somewhat mutated. But Tiger Woods is still the story.
By Jeff Schultz
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108 comments Add your comment
Techster
March 31st, 2012
3:31 pm
Yeah, he’s still “the show” for all you jock-sniffer reporters. Most of the rest of us, with morals and values (remember those), have been over this bozo for a long time. He was ultra-overexposed anyway even before revealing himself to the world as an unethical lowlife. Now you guys all expect everyone just to jump right back on the Tiger-lovefest-train with you because you want us to. I watch golf because I am a fan of the game and want to see the pros play, not because I have a man-crush on him like you news guys. I enjoy tournaments much better when he is nowhere near the leaderboard.
johnd
March 31st, 2012
3:54 pm
Definetely, he is the man. I will not sit infront of the tv to watch golf if he is not in the leaderboard. That is clear to me. I want to see someone who has a chance of shattering records. That is why I am supporting him.
jbet
March 31st, 2012
4:24 pm
Of all that’s been written about Woods, this has got to be the best line ever:
“The book has a few interesting insights. But that doesn’t make Haney any better than James. Both are looking to profit. The only difference between the two is breast size.:.
I am a fan of Tiger Woods, will always be a fan. I don’t care what he did with his personal life. I am not a saint – even saints weren’t saints. I appreciate being able to witness one of the greatest athletes of our time.
JSS
March 31st, 2012
4:40 pm
“I am not a saint – even saints weren’t saints.”
A truer statement has never been written on the AJC Blogs!
"Chef" Tim Dix
March 31st, 2012
4:49 pm
Haney is a _bag. Tiger may be one too but his legacy will not be of a hanger on leech.
Mitzymy
March 31st, 2012
4:56 pm
Tiger is the best. He always was, and always will be until he decides that his playing days are over. Then the golfing world will have to beat the bushes to find someone as fascinating as Tiger. He no longer needs the money, so now he is playing for his record. All of you who call him names, would have done the same in his situation.
Jon Nicholls
March 31st, 2012
5:06 pm
Judge the man not by his fall but how he picks himself up again
Nelson Warner
March 31st, 2012
5:10 pm
“for us?” At this point, that is a journalistic troll. People like me — who lost any rooting interest in Woods two years ago — are supposed to react and leave a lot of comments, showing how passionate we are about all things Tiger Woods. Right? Except I don’t have any “root against” interest either.
Here’s the scoop. I’m burned out on the guy. I find a hundred angles in golf more interesting, and you should know them better than me. Woods, to me, is like Lance Armstrong. I was a huge supporter of Armstrong because he was winning a lot (I guess that was the reason; he was an official “big deal,” so like a lemming I followed when the sports media told me I needed to care). He also had a great backstory. But… it turned out he was almost certainly using PEDs. Do I think his Tour de France wins were tainted? Absolutely. Was his heroic story a lie? Yes, that’s my understanding. Does it “eat me up” that he holds the record of Tour wins over earlier more-deserving guys? No.
The difference is that I am a golf fan, and I was, at best, a marginal bicycling fan. So, now that Woods is a tainted, fallen “hero,” I’m no longer all that into propping up the corpses of his bogus image. I’m ready to move into golf’s next era. It annoys me that I have to shovel through articles like this one, which are repetitive and formulaic.
Now, you know as well as I do, to be accurate you would have written, “For marginal golf fans, Woods is still the show.” For them, as with me and cycling, I needed Lance Armstrong to be involved — because I don’t know a single other name.
Anyway, maybe I’ve just outgrown sports journalism. Maybe the target demographic needs sportwriters to use crayons and create drama and strife and conflict, and otherwise rouse the rabble. Me, I just want to read about golfers who don’t have asterisks plastered all over their results. I want to follow golf because I love golf. I love a golf tournament the way I love a movie — no past or present. I judge it on its own merits. I don’t care if it wins an Oscar, or if the director can “set a record” and become the “greatest of all time.” If that’s the only way the golf media thinks it can drum up interest, we need a new golf media.
Sugabear
March 31st, 2012
5:45 pm
I’m amazed at the amount of animosity STILL being directed towards Tiger Woods. I, by no means condone his adulterous actions, but I’m not understanding the difference between him and any OTHER person, male or female, black or WHITE…Example, Bill Clinton cheated on his wife in the WHITE HOUSE, and it still didn’t produce the same amount of venomously hateful feedback that Tigers
Sugabear
March 31st, 2012
5:46 pm
I’m amazed at the amount of animosity STILL being directed towards Tiger Woods. I, by no means condone his adulterous actions, but I’m not understanding the difference between him and any OTHER person, male or female, black or WHITE…Example, Bill Clinton cheated on his wife in the WHITE HOUSE, and it still didn’t produce the same amount of venomously hateful feedback that Tiger’s indiscretions have…Maybe someone could explain that to me…
Dap01
March 31st, 2012
6:14 pm
ESPN has a crush on Tiger. No one says, “I wonder how many shots of the lead Tiger is”. But ESPN talks about him anyway ignoring the actual leaders. ESPN ignores the actual good golfers. Karma is hard on Tiger and he deserves it.
Let's Go
March 31st, 2012
6:37 pm
People may not like him but the PGA tour and the TV netwroks love him and need him. TV ratings stink when he is not in the field and the last 2 years have not been good for the tour. He may not be the best golfer in the world but he is the most valuable.
Joe
March 31st, 2012
6:38 pm
There is no difference between Haney & James… James wanted to make money from their ….. and Haney wanted to make money with his foolish brain. In future, pro-golfers will think twice before selecting him as a coach. If he has any decency and class then he should have written about the Tiger’s golf game. After all he is a golf coach, not a family psychologist or personal adviser.
Sonny Clusters
March 31st, 2012
7:10 pm
Jeff, will you bring us a pimento cheese sandwich back from Augusta? We think those things are delicious. If you talk to Tiger, let him know that pimento cheese can be used as a poultice. It may be what he needs to relieve itching and problems associated with his lifestyle. We have missed blogging here lately but we’ve been uncomfortable ever since we started having meniscus problems. Passing a meniscus is not for a sissy.
dawg4u
March 31st, 2012
7:18 pm
I have to admit that I really liked Tiger Woods when he first appeared on the golf scene and started winning all those majors and non majors. Then the incident with his wife and the Escalade, numerous porn stars, swing coaches and F-bombs have pretty much soured me on the guy plus he always acts like a first class jerk. Finally, as a U.S. Navy veteran it was interesting to read how he almost left the tour to “become” a Navy Seal. When I was in (which was many years ago) you had to really be the best of the best to even be considered to be a Seal not only physically but mentally. He may have been selected but it would have been a tougher in my opinion than all of his golf accomplishments plus the fame and money would not even remotely compare to his stature on the PGA tour. I wish him well.
The Nature boy
March 31st, 2012
7:22 pm
good read Jeff……..I don’t pull for Tiger, but I watch him…I’m Joe 6 pack…..
dawg4u
March 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
If you can’t make a good argument then play the race card. We glorify JFK and Clinton as good politicians but certainly not their infidelity issues. We glorify Tiger as a great golfer but certainly not a good husband who was faithful to his wife just like JFK and Clinton.
Amen Corner
March 31st, 2012
9:05 pm
Hope he never wins another Major!!! Has nothing to do with him being Black or being an Adulterer. Guy is arrogant, disrespectful, not humble. I could go on and on. I have specific examples of things Tiger has done at other tournaments and the way he has treated club employees. Guy has ZERO class! I care not to divulge.
bakerman
March 31st, 2012
9:07 pm
I met Tiger when he was an arrogant 18 year old freshman at Stanford. He was a double barreled jerk with a lot of talent. He was never the person that the slick packaging by Nike and ESPN, and others purported him to be. There was golf before him and his game’s demise will not be the end of golf. It will be better for the true lover of the game. I think the moral to this story is to look behind the facade of the packaging.
Amen Corner
March 31st, 2012
9:14 pm
bakerman….you know him well! too bad others don’t know what a 1st Class JERK he is!
Delbert D.
March 31st, 2012
9:24 pm
A sideshow. Like Charlie Sheen.
Redneck Bill from Trailerville
March 31st, 2012
9:26 pm
Well, Ty Cobb wasn’t very nice either, or Babe Ruth. I watch Tiger because at his best, he’s the finest who ever played the game. No one else in golf ever had his distance, his touch around the greens, his shot-making skills. The truth is that this old, fat white guy has very little interest in a tournament if Tiger Woods isn’t in it and contending. I don’t care if he sleeps with a goat, and I’m well aware of his moral failings. The truth is that I became even more of a fan after the whole world turned against him. If I wanted moral instruction, I’d go to church. If I want to see wonderful golf, I’ll watch Tiger Woods. And we must remember that the finest in their sports are seldom moral exemplars. For every Jack Nicklaus there are a thousand Lance Armstrongs or Mike Tysons.
Sloan
March 31st, 2012
9:36 pm
Wrong Schultz. Rory is the show now.
ron
March 31st, 2012
9:43 pm
Tiger may not be ranked the #1 golfer but in our mindset he’s the most important and the best.
Marth's Jerk
March 31st, 2012
9:43 pm
Hey Redneck Bill from Trailerville….If Bobby Jones hadn’t quit golf at “27″ with 13 majors, if would be a contest. He would have set records Nicklaus and Woods could only dream about.
Marth's Jerk
March 31st, 2012
9:44 pm
when Tiger breaks Jack record then you can talk..Until then..Jack is better!
Bobby Jones
March 31st, 2012
9:51 pm
I own Augusta!
Bobby Who?
March 31st, 2012
10:30 pm
Stupid to compare golf during Bobby Jones era and today. Golf was a game played only by the wealthy. Bobby Jones beat a bunch of rich boys. There are tens of millions more people that play golf now than then. The competition is exponentially more difficult now.
Marth's Jerk
March 31st, 2012
10:34 pm
Bobby Who? all relivant you tool! you can only beat what is before you! he dominated golf. If you knew anything about golf you would know. My guess is that you are about a 25 handicapper who plays at Candler Park. If you even play at all! Stick to NBA hoops! you probably know something about that.
phil
March 31st, 2012
10:37 pm
Only a gutless moron would watch, much less pull for, a sleeze like Tiger.
He is a despicable person. Only when he is gone from the game will I ever watch a tourney again. Unless it’s a tourney in which he is not participating.
phil
March 31st, 2012
10:38 pm
Tiger is a pathetic loser.
Bobby Who?
March 31st, 2012
10:41 pm
Yes you can only beat what is put before you. And for Bobby Jones it was a bunch of rich boys. As a native Atlantan I have nothing against Bobby Jones. He is an important figure in the history of golf. But I stand by my statement that it is stupid to compare golf in that era and now. There is no comparison. Who knows what Bobby Jones could do against today’s competition? But certainly not as well as against the limited competition of his time.
Marth's Jerk
March 31st, 2012
10:55 pm
what competition did Tiger have? other than phil? there were good players in Jones time as well.
Eldrick
March 31st, 2012
11:19 pm
Tiger was on steroids.
Bobby Who?
March 31st, 2012
11:20 pm
Read this regarding level of competition between Tiger’s era and Jack’s. We’re not talking about only 3 or 4 excellent players that have a chance to win every week. Today any of the 100+ teeing it up is highly skilled and can win on any given week. The $takes are much higher today and the pros take it much more seriously than ever before.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/41740-jack-nicklaus-vs-tiger-woods-who-faces-tougher-competition
Eldrick
March 31st, 2012
11:21 pm
Go get me a popsicle jerk.
KOOL
March 31st, 2012
11:22 pm
It is well documented that Eldrick’s father conditioned him to be mentally infallible on the course… however, if a little camera goes, *click*, Eldrick has a meltdown & demands that the clicker be thrown out. What a joke Eldrick is.
I’ve disliked him for well over 10 years. Adultery is irrelevant. Race is as well. I root for the field against Eldrick. Always.
Eldrick
March 31st, 2012
11:25 pm
Who the hell eats sugar free popsicles?
tell the truth
March 31st, 2012
11:27 pm
If you talk about competition between the eras, don’t forget to talk about the difference in golf equipment. Tiger would not be hitting 300+ drives with the equipment from Jones’ era! Nor would anyone else today.
Bobby Who?
March 31st, 2012
11:38 pm
Tell the truth,
Huh? I am not comparing Tiger’s driving distance now to Bobby Jones’ during the 20s-30s. I am comparing the level of competition that Tiger faces today and the level of competition from Jones era. Jones won his 13 major championships against lesser competition. And if you’re counting amateur championships, Tiger has 3 of those in addition to his 14 pro championships.
bobby's Bones
March 31st, 2012
11:48 pm
have to agree with tell the truth…With hickory shafts and golf balls made out of mush..
Like comparing Bill Russell vs. Michael Jordon
Both best of their time
You can only judge one by time they played
bobby's Bones
March 31st, 2012
11:50 pm
One other thing. Bobby had class. Tiger’s a D__K! rymes wirth Rick.
Sid
April 1st, 2012
2:28 am
I am sure his hormones are calming down. “Hormones”……..what a word.
Dude
April 1st, 2012
4:50 am
Tiger’s an A–Hole. Is’nt there a rule against slamming your club into the ground? How many times does he do it when he hits a bad shot? Some of you “TIGER GROUPIES’ must be morally challenged. What a good role model for your kids.
Dan
April 1st, 2012
5:49 am
Jon Nichols,
Yes, we all fail in many ways, not as publicly and morally, but the reaction is what counts. Scripture says that to rise again to face the issues is the real victory and is the ONLY way…can’t stay stuck.
Dan
April 1st, 2012
6:00 am
Thanks, Jeff. I hope that I never take your writing for granted. Tough to write about a man with such contradictions.
Used to subscribe to the paper for a few reasons….Braves, Bisher, Schultz and the Vent. Have long since tired of the Liberal slant and bias by this paper. It’s a shame how journalism doesn’t report the news, but is a an arm of govt. I will not participate in propagating lies. Jeff, you are one of the main reasons I check out the paper, knowing that you might have a new column. Humorous and yet factual.
I Won A Gene Jacket
April 1st, 2012
7:43 am
I was there in Augusta in 1986 when Nickalus won his final major at the ripe old age of 46. The golfing heavens shook, the earth moved, and even casual fans knew that something especially wonderful had just happened.
And then, mediocrity set in. From April 1986 until Tiger’s first major, the sport was nothing more than a weekly chance to watch Greg Norman choke away tournaments or guys (from places we’d never visit) win tournaments only to fade into golf oblivion.
In steps Tiger; a searingly white hot flash of lightning that kept striking again and again. He was young, hip, loud, and really damn good. He didn’t choke… he made you choke. The simple fact is, whenever Tiger shows up… history is likely to be made. There was a time when he won 45% of the tournaments in which he played. He won four consecutive majors. Based on his play two weeks ago, it could very well happen all over again. He is the golfing event of this generation.
If icons are to be judged by their extracurricular life, okay. But, in fairness, let’s open the books on everyone. I have yet to find anyone willing to measure a Mantle or a Sinatra by the same standard as Tiger.
Perhaps the only line over which Tiger egregiously stepped is color.
Fair n Balanced
April 1st, 2012
7:46 am
As a golfer and a golf fan I have to watch Tiger. He is arguably ahead of Nicklaus at this stage in his career. But the record still shows that Jack is the best of all time because of 18 Majors. For me, I like the sanctity of golf and the fact that a good man, good husband and Dad currently owns the record as greatest. Tiger has to work on that some. But I’ll be watching. I can’t not watch and I can’t not wonder if Tiger is going to win 5 more Majors before he is done.
Neil
April 1st, 2012
8:16 am
Love to see him lose,,,, hope he never breaks a great PERSON’s record like the Bear. Please miss a 3 footer to lose the Masters…. they deserve better than Tiger,,,maybe a Rory
Lacey Underall
April 1st, 2012
8:27 am
Hope he never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever wins again! Totally JERK!
Mike
April 1st, 2012
9:01 am
Im rooting for Tiger to win next weekend.
I wish he would embrace his dark side and fully become evil Tiger Woods. Dress in all black. Sink a 25 foot putt, club between the legs hip thrusting. Start drinking mid-round. Openly hit on all chicks on the course. More cursing.
Screw all the boring, conservative, golf dorks that root for FIGJAM.
Saint
April 1st, 2012
9:24 am
Some people do not know what a Saint is! A Saint is not a perfect, sinless person. There is no such human. A Saint is simply a believer in Christ. I am a Saint, just as John, or Peter, although Paul has nothing on me as for as sin!!!! I really enjoy watching Tiger play and compete, however, his language often caught on tv, are words I never heard from Jack or Arnold or Lee or Gary etc. Thinking is one thing, saying out loud for kids to hear is another. As the Bible says, even fools appear wise if they keep their mouths shut!!! Perhaps Tiger should take a lesson….
Dan
April 1st, 2012
9:34 am
Gene, excellent
timboy
April 1st, 2012
10:02 am
Still the greatest golfer and an even greater person to play the game was Jack Nicklaus. Jack dominated in his time just as much or more than Tiger.
pawleys island jacket
April 1st, 2012
12:35 pm
i am tired of the media fawning all over woods. i hope he never makes another cut!
wxwax
April 1st, 2012
1:22 pm
This whole SEAL business seems pretty obvious.
Daddy was in the Special Forces and measuring-up to Daddy seems to be a big part of his life. He cheated like Daddy and he wanted to be a super-soldier like Daddy.
Can’t fault a guy for the soldier part.
Bill
April 1st, 2012
1:36 pm
Vinning you are wrong.It doesn’t matter who Tiger ran around with.Is is the fact he ran around with these women while his wife and 2 young children were at home.
I feel for those kids and what their peers will say to them about their Dad as they grow older.Yes they have all the money they will ever need but that is not everything.
It has been widely reported that Tiger is a lousy tipper.That tells you something about the man.
He also leaves dinner when he is finished not waiting on friends or guests to finish.
Bottom line he is s great golfer and a compelling watch.He is not a good person or a good man.
Ken Stallings
April 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
“… bizzare obsession with the SEALS …”
Schultz, only you could write a column about a subject for which many others have written and manage to form words that would be highly objectionable. I suppose you are somewhat familiar with Tiger’s family, so I suppose you knew his father was a special forces Lieutenant Colonel, career officer who retired from the US Army.
Therefore, Tiger’s respect and interest in the military, and special forces units in particular is entirely consistent with his personal history growing up and his makeup.
What it seems to me is that every jerk on the planet looking to cash in on Tiger’s celebrity is writing the worst junk about him one can imagine. If people did not see justification in Tiger firing his former caddy, then the bizzare behavior of that former caddy on his slash and burn campaign for a buck has validated the move and answered all the questions. Said caddy seems to be a first class ______ (fill in word I cannot write here).
In terms of the Navy SEALS, Tiger was able to tour the SEALS training facility as an invited guest. It was something a number of noteworthy people have been able to do. It was not bizzare — far from it. Perhaps, Schultz, one day you can emerge from your shell of a media world and understand why it was not bizzare.
Tiger is certainly not the angel he was portrayed to be originally. But, he’s not the devil many try to portray him to be today to score a cheap payday.
Jeff Schultz
April 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
Dan, very kind comments. Thank you.
Jeff Schultz
April 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Ken Stallings — I’m well aware of Tiger’s background with his father and his love for the military. Not sure I follow the comments.
Golf Swing Videos » New ‘Tiger Woods’ game not quite a hole in one – USA TODAY
April 1st, 2012
5:02 pm
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eddy
April 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
The golf media are the problem…..”Did you see that!! Tiger was walking upright on two legs.” The media particularly the TV guys and gals let him get by with swearing after a bad swing, throwing his club or slamming his club after another miss. the sound you hear from the TV idiots….”Crickets”. He is very gracious only after he has won otherwise is rude, abrupt and mostly classless but he is allowed to get away with all of this because of the fawning media. There should be a Tiger-free commentary at every tournament he enters…ignore him totally…..not a word, not an interview even if he wins. Then at the end of the tournament, a TV golf analyst would read a statement citing Tiger’s stats leading up to his victory but nothing else. Ignore him deliberately and in his face. It would be wonderful if he never wins another major and only one tournament during any year.
Only in America
April 1st, 2012
7:04 pm
I’d wonder how all you self-righetous idiots would behave if you worth a Billion dollars like Tiger Woods. You have no idea if Jack Nicklaus ever cheated on his wife. Steve Jobs was known as a pompous jerk, but i bet you own an Apple product. The people that claim they hate Tiger Woods are the same people that hate Lebron James–jealous fools. These same fools have bumper stickers supporting politicians—politicians that would let the families of these fools starve if it meant more money in their pockets. Only in America.
JB
April 1st, 2012
7:18 pm
The “prime” is over. He’s got too much game to not be a force here and there. He’ll win 1 or 2 times a year. Now that he’s single, I wonder if he’s got his Johnson until control?
JD
April 1st, 2012
7:22 pm
I don’t hate Tiger, just the TV broadcasters that urinate all over themselves evertime they mention his name, which is more often than he deserves. Once when he was not in contention and played earlier, TV coverage came on the air and spent l5 minutes talking about his already completed round before ever mentioning the leaderboard.
Bravesfan79
April 1st, 2012
7:22 pm
Tiger sucks and hes overrated. I hope a alligator bites off his arm like the black guy in happy gilmore.
Montgomery
April 1st, 2012
8:17 pm
” Nike-packaged phoniness ”
I like what you wrote, Jeff Schultz,
those words jumped off the page.
Pat
April 1st, 2012
9:57 pm
Golf is supposed to be a game of honor. Tiger Woods is a liar and a cheat both on and off of the golf course. He has neither honor nor integrity. He should not be allowed on a golf course to even cut the grass. He gives the game a VERY bad name!!!!!
Lacey Underall
April 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Only in America…Leave it to you to play the race card. Tiger is rude, classless, never tips a dime at tournaments(I know this as a fact!) rude to locker room attendees, rude to chef’s, rude to everyone. Has nothing to do with his cheating on his wife or color of him skin! BTW. Scott Hoch is a total jerk! Rory Sabatini is a total jerk! Crosses both lines.
#1 Fan!
April 2nd, 2012
12:31 am
Tiger Woods has faced a lot of hate! Nobody in sports history has ever fell so far and bounced back from such hate, his win last week was a hurdle that will mark the return of Mr Woods(aka)” The Game”! is back! Who else could carry the game of golf like he has? Welcome back Tiger!
KAR
April 2nd, 2012
7:39 am
@Pat if every player who’s cheated on his wife was banned from the game I believe there wouldn’t be a game. People get over your hatred…he’s just a man. Oh that’s right…he’s a rich black man. Enough said…
Double Zero Eight
April 2nd, 2012
8:11 am
Most “superstars” are jerks, There is an exception to
every rule. The TV ratings are higher when Tiger plays.
Tiger is a golfer, not an evangelist. The lack of morals
by superstars in other sports does not prevent most
from watching UGA, GT, Braves or Falcons games.
If you want to see impecable character, you may want to watch
the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on PBS.
dennis montecalo
April 2nd, 2012
9:10 am
to those who keep saying what a great guy jack nicklaus was must have never met him, approached him with my grandson after a round back in the 70’s guy was atotal ass, would’nt sign for my grandson of even speak to the fans what a jerk
former st. clairian
April 2nd, 2012
9:29 am
“Move over, Michener”. Great line Jeff.
dawgfan
April 2nd, 2012
9:38 am
It sounds to me like things came a little too easy for Tiger and he got bored. LMAO @ the Navy seals thing. Wow, what a freak. Anyway, I respect his ability to soldier on on the golf course after all that has happened. If everyone on the face of the earth knew all the intricate details of my personal life I probably would never leave the house again. He’s paid the price for what he did so let’s just move on. I hope it has humbled him.
Thanks.
PMC
April 2nd, 2012
9:55 am
If the final pairing is Woods and McIlroy the world will be watching.
Nelson Warner
April 2nd, 2012
10:14 am
“If the final pairing is Woods and McIlroy the world will be watching.”
Yes, but in America, viewers will have the audio muted.”
UGA Insider
April 2nd, 2012
10:24 am
Ready to party every night in Augusta. I remember a few years ago bumping into an intoxicated Damon Evans following Tiger Woods. I said to myself…”self, is that stange or what’? 2 months later he was fired and I now think Evans thought he was the Tiger Woods of UGA athletics.
Larry
April 2nd, 2012
11:18 am
phil,
Spot on!
I find it sad and disconcerting that so many on here whom are in full support ot this trash of a human being simply because they idolize how well he can put a little white ball in a hole in the ground. What father would want one of these losers as a son-in-law; what wife would want one as a husband?
To all here who are better men (and I men a real man of honor and courage), I salute you!
Therut
April 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
When the episode happened I called my friend and asked what kind of person with a wife and two children at hom would be doing at the club playing cards on thanksgiving? His answer was, he is a jerk, always been a jerk and always will be. At that time we new nothing about the “whores”.
bill mann
April 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
well said larry,don’t understand why people idolize these sports stars,most i have ever come in contact with are self centered jerks
David Vetter
April 2nd, 2012
11:56 am
i hear that jeff still sucks donkey koch.
DP
April 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm
Tiger Woods is the obsession of every sportswriter and ESPN talking head who has never broken 90 on the golf course. Charl Schwartzel did something at the Masters last year that neither Tiger or anybody else has ever done, birdie the last 4 holes to win a major, and it was all but forgotten after a couple of days. Why is watching Tiger shoot 65 so much more exciting for so many than watching anybody else shoot 65? I don’t get it, is there some kind of homoerotic thing going on?
Skeezix
April 2nd, 2012
12:14 pm
Tiger, before his fall from grace, is a great example of why we shouldn’t form opinions about someone based on their “public image”. He is a no doubt one heck of a golfer, one of the all time best–but I can’t respect him as a man. I use to think he was a great role model for kids; but he turned out to be a major disappointment. Respect is something you earn.
I do hope Tiger is working hard to become a better man.
However, I think his ex-coach Haney is a sleaze for writing his “tell all” book.
Wisemule
April 2nd, 2012
12:26 pm
Techster
You’re been a hater every since Woods stepped on the course.
Now that he’s winning again, I hope you sleep well. Speak for yourself.
Your hate for the guy runs deep. Hope no skeletons fall out your closet…
Sneakers O'Toole
April 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Seems that there are a bunch of perfect people on the board today. Those who never had thier transgressions broadcast on too many outlets to mention. Those whose lives are 100% without sin. I do not need a moral compass and never looked at Tiger to be mine. I am a fan because he is great, the greatest of my generation (age 30). I am a fan because I still have a VHS recording of his sunday in ‘97 when the 16 year old me was beginning to fall in love with golf. I will be rooting for Tiger this week as I always do, as will Mr. Finchem.
Focus on the Family
April 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Just hope that
Tiger doesn’t get pelted in the face
with a pimento cheese sandwich.
Techster
April 2nd, 2012
1:17 pm
Wisemule – you are kind of right. I never have cared for the way Tiger has been crammed up our @$$&$ by the media, going all the way back to his college days. I realize he is an excellent golfer but he should be, since he was actually raised to do that and nothing else. Tune into the news coverage Friday night, and if Tigger is 8 shots back and in 56th place, he’ll be the lead story anyway, not the guys on the leader board ! I sleep just fine at night hoping he stinks it up, while supporting the other golfers on tour, especially the good guys like Phil. I hope Tigger the disgraceful never wins anything again. I will admit that perhaps I was a little harsh on Schultz though – I realize there is a requirement to write the “we love Tiger” story, and he got the job this time.
Jimmy Crack
April 2nd, 2012
1:43 pm
He is quite the attraction, whether for fantastic shots or uncomfortable blowups. He may end up the greatest of all time, but right now he is inconsistent, and there is an impressive new group of hot shot youngsters coming to challenge him on a weekly basis. That said, if he can control his driver like he has recently and get better reads on his putts, watch out!
blue
April 2nd, 2012
2:00 pm
You are right, KAR (and a couple of others); it’s another example of the white man ‘hate-in’ on the brotha. It’s clearly because he is rich and black, which is why SO many white people were (and some still are) fans of his. For the idiot earlier that said we “glorify” Clinton? Ummm…you do know that he was impeached for lying under oath for that whole thing, right? And really? So you think if a rich WHITE “best at a sport” (let’s say…Peyton Manning for example) was caught having sex with porn stars, waitresses, etc…while he had a wife and kids at home, they would not face the same backlash? You poor, oppressed soul.
Ken Stallings
April 2nd, 2012
2:06 pm
I will follow up once more and then leave it for what it may be worth.
It is not bizzare for the child of a career military officer or NCO to carry a lifetime intense interest in the military, its mission or training. It is a way for a child (”military brat”) to connect to his parent. For Tiger, this is especially true since his father passed away.
All Tiger did was tour the SEALS BUDs training area, do a buddy jump, and fire heavy weapons on a training range. Contrary to his former swing coach Tiger was not seriously entertaining ideas of joining the SEALS. He was doing what a lot of military children do when they get older — connect to what they saw their father do for decades. In short, there was nothing at all bizzare in him doing it.
I appreciate the level of connection Tiger has to the military. I find it completely healthy and laudible. What I object to is some jerk like Butch Harmon trying to derive something sinister in the effort so he can cash in on a book payday.
Frankly, as fewer and fewer American citizens serve in the military, the cultural divide between those who did serve (such as myself) and those who did not is becoming unhealthy. A democratic nation must preserve the connections so that what the military does is not seen as strange, alien, or unfamiliar with the citizenry. What Tiger did was leverage his golf celebrity to have the chance to experience to a higher degree than most what performing those routine military missions is like.
When people in this country start to see that a truly bizzare, then we have reached a point of cultural divide unhealthy to our future. I had hoped my previous words would have conveyed that understanding. I hope these do!
Ken Stallings
April 2nd, 2012
2:11 pm
BTW: It was Hank Haney (not Butch Harmon) who wrote the sleaze book. My mistake on that one. I suppose apologies to Harmon matter not since he doesn’t read this blog.
JASon
April 2nd, 2012
2:32 pm
“I am a fan of Tiger Woods, will always be a fan. I don’t care what he did with his personal life.” -jbet at 4:24pm
Its not just his personal life though. He was raised to be a christ figure and trotted out his dead dad to sell shoes. He talks like a complete dork, and a yuppy. He is like a 14 year old around women, he’s so socially awkward. And the media fawns over him-which I have no problem holding against him. Yeah, tiger woods is a piece of crap.
aprilglaspie
April 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Most of the women that came out of the woodwork to claim trysts with Tiger Woods were undoubtedly lying their butts off. Fact is, golf is worth spending Sunday PM on the couch watching if he’s in contention. It’s a petrifying bore if not. The players and sponsors are well aware of this simple fact.
Terrible Truth
April 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
Old Eldrick ain’t been the same since his name popped up in the HGH investigation of that Doctor in Canada. Of course the media ignored it but Old Eldrick ain’t quite as chiseled as he used to be and as usually happens when someone gets off the juice, the joints are starting to deteriorate. He should send Hank a lifetime supply of popsicles for playing up the SEALS angle, he can use that as an excuse and the suckasses in the media will eat it up.
Ken Stallings
April 2nd, 2012
4:47 pm
BTW: Truly enjoyed the photo of Furman Bisher’s hat in that photo in today’s online paper! I knew something classy would be done at Augusta for the man, and that is very fitting!
Tigers Woody
April 2nd, 2012
5:02 pm
I hope he can get his putter up this week
D man
April 2nd, 2012
5:35 pm
Tiger is an amazing golfer who will still be remembered in 200 years from now no matter what he does the next 10 or so… I really enjoy watching him play. I didn’t watch before he played. He is the reason I started watching golf.
redweather
April 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
I’ve always liked watching Mickelson better than Tiger. But Tiger does look like he has his game back in order which means watching the Masters will probably mean watching Tiger.
bpjim
April 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
The funniest thing I have heard is Tiger wanting to be a SEAL. One of the core values of SEAL training is putting the needs of the team ahead of your own. Tiger is INCREDIBLY self centered and NOT a team guy. He wouldn’t make it past lunch on the first day of training.
Arnold Ziffel
April 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
Forget Eldrick Woods. He’s cheap, conceited, and has no regard for women.
Mismanage Me
April 3rd, 2012
8:29 am
Man I hate golf. Hurry up and write about about a sport Jeff. Golf is a GAME like bowling. If it doesn’t take athletic ability (ex. John Daly) its not a sport.
LawDawg
April 3rd, 2012
10:09 am
WAHHHH!!!! He cheated on his wife, truly he is worse than Hitler.
– Moralizing jackasses
LawDawg
April 3rd, 2012
10:10 am
bpjim: I am 100% certain that no Navy SEAL in history has ever had sexual relations outside the confines of the marital bed. If there is one thing that men with high levels of testosterone (and who kill for a living) never do, it is break the Ten Commandments.
redweather
April 3rd, 2012
12:24 pm
I wonder if Tiger has a new squeeze yet. He sure is keeping things on the down low.
Kara
April 3rd, 2012
2:14 pm
Long before his personal life came apart, there were haters and those haters will remain even if the scandal never happened. But know this. No other golfer will draw the masses and sponsors to the PGA like Tiger does. So haters, get over it. After this week, he will only be 3 majors behind Jack. Go Tiger!!!
Woods, McIlroy each have starring roles in Masters – Sumter Item (Professional Golf) - www.ProGolfPortal.com - The Professional GOLF Tour Report
April 4th, 2012
10:33 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
dixiehummingbird
April 4th, 2012
12:25 pm
Just want to respond to a few comments! Tiger is not a role model. I chose role models for myself and my children that I wanted and wanted them to have. I do not need him as a role model. I need to watch him as a golfer. Tiger is the best the game has ever seen. YES he is; faster to wins, faster to records; won more amateurs; won by wider margins in majors; incredible other stuff. He is arrogant and a ….. I have yet to observe a professional athlete who is not arrogant. As far as him not being a nice guy, you’ll never know because you’ll probably never meet him. As far as his on course antics, ever wonder why you know about them ? I’ll tell you. Because the camera for him is ever present. GREEN JACKET #5. . .we are waiting and you are the greatest the game has ever seen or will see in the next 200 years!