Forget the tease — Tiger Woods still pedestrian after all
A picture tells 1,000 words: Woods drops his club after missing birdie putt on No. 15. (AP photo)
AUGUSTA – Expect the traditional Sunday red shirt. Just not the traditional Sunday drama.
This is when everybody who got drunk off that one victory at Bay Hill (guilty, as charged) has reason to wonder: Will Tiger Woods ever be really great again? Will he ever string together tournament wins like candy beads. Will he ever win another major?
It was Day 3 at the Masters on Saturday. This was the day Woods had to be Woods again. He started the day at 3 over, with a humbling third-round start time of 10:45 a.m., and needed to post a solid red number to make him relevant before the tournament’s final 18 holes. He needed something other than pedestrian, which is what he gave us.
If golf balls were pastel-colored eggs, it looked like an early Easter. There was Woods, hiding his golf ball in pine straw, in sand, behind trees. He made some great shots. But more often than not, all they really accomplished was to make up for the cartoonish ones that could’ve led to his scorecard mutating into a Sandy Lyle starter kit.
“For some reason, I fell into my old patterns again,” he said.
This sounds like a guy running out of answers. He was at the driving range well into Friday evening, and it was no help. So he didn’t plan to go back.
“I’m a little tired,” he said.
So much for the coronation this week.
Woods birdied hole Nos. 3 and 4, but he played the rest of the day at 2 over, leaving him back where he started, and tied for 38th place, which easily would be his worst finish in a tournament he has won four times and finished in the top five 10 times. He struggled on the greens (31 putts — that’s not a misprint). He struggled on the par 5s, his usual Eden holes at Augusta National. (Woods was 133 under in 17 previous Masters on the par 5s, but he’s only 1 under through Saturday.)
Every part of his game has shown flaws at one time or another. That tells you this is as much mental as physical.
On a day when Phil Mickelson scorched the back nine with four birdies and an eagle and Peter Hanson (with an unexpected tournament lead) created wonderful memories for the Hanson’s of Svedala, Sweden, the guy who has been stirring golf’s drink was just a guy. Woods’ 3-over 219 is tied for his worst 54-hole score ever at the Masters. He ranks only 56th in the field in fairways hit (59.5 percent) and 37th in greens (59.3 percent). He missed several makable birdies.
In short, this isn’t some aberration.
Woods is 36 years old. He has had four knee surgeries and an Achilles injury. He is struggling with the concept that things just don’t come easy any more.
It happens to every athlete at some point. The ones who can maintain greatness — or at least very-goodness — despite losing their physical edge usually do so by learning patience, become smarter, controlling emotions. Woods hasn’t mastered those areas. He even felt compelled — or possibly prompted — to spent part of his post-round interview apologizing (sort of) for his second-round antics (a club kick on No. 16 and several verbal cherry bombs).
“Certainly I’m frustrated at times, and I apologize if I offended anybody by that,” he said. “But I’ve hit some bad shots, and it’s certainly frustrating at times. … I hit it right into the bunker. And it didn’t feel good on my toe, either.”
Woods hooked his 13th tee shot Saturday into trees. Then he spiked his driver into the ground, kicking up a chunk of sod. At least this time he didn’t kick the club, which Friday prompted CBS’s Nick Faldo to comment, “I think we can safely say Tiger has lost his game … and his mind.”
Some of the criticism has been excessive. It doesn’t excuse Woods’ behavior, but for one Associated Press columnist to write, “He’s an embarrassment to the sport” is way over the top. It’s not like Woods put a bounty on Rory McIlroy or was “sexting” Joslyn James at Amen Corner. Then again, that would explain the tee shot into the pine trees.
“It was so close to being a really good round of golf,” Woods said.
He didn’t sound convincing. It didn’t look convincing. The guy in the red shirt will have another early tee time.
By Jeff Schultz
•
Previous Masters blogs
– If Fred Couples is so old, how did he shoot at 67 at the Masters?
– Masters video blog, day 2 (sorry, nothing about Petrino)
– Stewart Cink may have finally found his swing
– R.E.M.’s Mike Mills welcomes into our little Masters pool
– Billy Payne struggles to keep the focus on the Masters
– A video Masters preview by Ron Burgundy (actually, just me)
– Tiger Woods has that Masters champion look to him again
– Hello from Masters, home of pimento cheese and monkey glands
– Tiger Woods: Love him or hate him, he’s still the show
– Will Augusta National finally be force to invite a woman?
By Jeff Schultz
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103 comments Add your comment
Ted
April 7th, 2012
7:24 pm
“I’m close” (take 87)
James Lythgoe
April 7th, 2012
7:37 pm
With a 62 posted and a win at Bay Hill, I thought the same as you. How wrong we are. I never really expected Tiger to make a comeback, he proved me wrong with his Bay Hill and then when I thought he was back, he has proved me wrong again! I don’t know what to think about his chances of making a full recovery. I am going to forget about any predictions.
Bravissimo
April 7th, 2012
7:39 pm
couldnt happen to a nicer guy…what a punk,no class.
Ann Kilgore
April 7th, 2012
7:41 pm
In my opinion, he is an embarrassment to himself and his sport and the AP writer happens to be one of the first writers to call him out for his behavior and tell the truth about him. I’m curious, how would you describe him?
Hollis G.
April 7th, 2012
7:46 pm
Guess it’s a good thing that Hanson, Mickelson and the others didn’t listen to all you so-called experts who were predicting a cake walk for Tiger and showed up. Give me a break. One win and he is walking on water to you clowns. All of you should bend over, grab each ear and pull real hard.
wompuscat
April 7th, 2012
7:47 pm
To think, he could have meant so much to the game and to young people all over the world. I can’t see him being any thing other than just another good golfer anymore. What a shame.
Worm
April 7th, 2012
7:53 pm
Good luck Tiger..73 on Sunday and you can watch the action on TV.
StingerSplash
April 7th, 2012
8:02 pm
Still a classless jerk is Mr. Woods. “I apologize if I offended anybody by that”? Really? Why not, “I apologize for my actions.” Period. Whereas Phil Mickelson stood and watched as Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, champions all and class acts one and all, hit the ceremonial tee shots – and Mickelson had the last tee time of the day – Woods continues to act like a petulant, spoiled brat.
And what do you have against Sandy Lyle, Mr. Schultz? For those of us who were there greenside on 18 (front row, mind you) when he sank his winning putt to win the Masters, he’s one of our favorite sports memories.
Old Fan
April 7th, 2012
8:09 pm
Please. Let’s just get over this guy. Now. The HGH he took several years ago that morphed him into golf’s Barry Bonds is coming home to roost. His body is NOT holding up and his game the same.Take a look at the pics of him in the mid 90’s and today. He and Barry had the same supplier. Plus, the guy is a genuine creep. Enough.
Dumdum
April 7th, 2012
8:09 pm
8th in FedEx Cup points. A win and four top 20 finishes in 5 starts this year. Pretty pedestrian.
robert todd
April 7th, 2012
8:11 pm
Still a good golfer,but the majors are over!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
April 7th, 2012
8:12 pm
Ann Kilgore — Everybody hammered Tiger for his philandering. Everybody has hammered him in past for cursing, etc. I just believe now the criticism is over the top and people looking for reasons to slam him. My opinion — but I know others also think some of the criticism lately has been over the top.
Jeff Schultz
April 7th, 2012
8:13 pm
Hollis — Cakewalk? Did you read that somewhere?
Paul in NH
April 7th, 2012
8:21 pm
It is difficult to play at a consistenly high level in golf. Rory McIlroy blew up today and nobody thinks his days of winning majors are over. Maybe Tiger will come back in the majors and maybe he won’t – but I can guarantee he will still “make the needle move”.
Nativebird
April 7th, 2012
8:28 pm
The pain in your words for your fallen lover is evident. Tiger will always be a really good golfer….but the days of domination are over…which is to say, when your entire self wortH and self value is founded in a Christ-liKe self-image engrained into your psyche as a child by overbearing and insecure parents…then IT IS in fact over. A sad commentary on the difference in values this great golfer has versus…say…Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino. The latter won majors out of a sense in earning a paycheck, providing for ones family, and being the best THEY can be. Tiger wins majors out of sense that he Must prove that he is TGGOAT, the one, the anointed, something bigger than life. and that my friend will always come crashing down, always every time.
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
8:31 pm
So easy to jump on him now that he is down. I will never forget the majesty of his game when he was at the top. Not for me to judge on the other.
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
8:33 pm
And further, every pro ought to thank him, he tripled purses and made the average pro a millionaire
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
8:35 pm
and while I am on a roll, if you don’t think that Jack and Arnie didn’t “enjoy ” their successes, you are living in a peppermint world
Prestadigitation
April 7th, 2012
8:44 pm
I can speak as a person that was on the Woods bandwagon for a long time, but I decided to jump off a couple of years before his personal life blew up in 2009. There were several reasons for that. First, Woods has always acted like a spoiled immature baby on the golf course when things don’t go his way and just exhibited a lack of class (That just show’s lack of respect for the game). Secondly, Woods is an insufferable individual that has consistently exhibited annoyance and disdain to the fans in general. The second point also extends to him in general, as he just isn’t a pleasant person at all. I think the clincher was when it came out that Tiger basically never tips anywhere. Not tipping is one of the greatest signs of an a-hole.
I was told years before I came to this conclusion by a good friend who played golf in college the same time that Woods was at Stanford, and had played in the same tournaments with him. He had told me that despite his great talent, Tiger was just a self absorbed POS that treated everyone like crap, and for that reason he would never root for him. I didn’t believe it (or at least didn’t want to) for the longest time, but his assessment was proven correct.
It’s clear at this time that Tiger’s dominance is over and will never be reclaimed. Jack Nicklaus’ record will remain safely intact as Tiger will never break it, and while I never thought I’d say this 10 years ago, that’s a good thing.
Gordon
April 7th, 2012
8:46 pm
People quickly forget how great Tiger was, and what he is still capable of. This is a two steps forward one step back kind of thing. Winning at Bay Hill by 5 was two steps forward. Not playing well at Augusta is one step back. Just as the former didn’t mean he was “back”, the latter doesn’t mean he is “done”. Rory McIlroy shot a 77 today. Is his hope for ever winning a Masters gone forever? Stop living in the moment so much. If he plays well at Olympic you’ll be saying Jack’s record is all but his.
Amen Corner
April 7th, 2012
8:49 pm
For all you Tiger apologists, get over it. He has always been an arrogant jerk, was a very good golfer and even great when he was juicing. He helped the game of golf, but could have been so much more. Yes, Jack and Arnie enjoyed their successes but they did so with class. This guy is classless and a disgusting individual with a sense of entitlement that he does not deserve. Amen
eddy
April 7th, 2012
8:56 pm
Jeff…Tiger’s actions were there for everyone to see including his profane outbursts including his kicking of the club. PS Jeff…this wasn’t the first time for all of this. Unfortunately no one will call him out, fine him, disqualify him or anything else because of what he used to be. Did you see any other golfer having a bad day react in this selfish and egotistical way? Nope. Only Sir Eldrick. If the Master’s guys had any courage they would have publicly chastised him on TV and apologized for his behavior to the TV audience. Maybe once this is done, he’ll realize that he is just a golfer and not a very good one at the moment. And he is not bigger than the game. If he disappears tomorrow, golf will continue and flourish because of the many good, young golfers. Tiger once was something to see because of his golf. Now he is something to see because of his temper and petulance. This can’t be good for anyone but mostly for Tiger.
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
9:07 pm
Eddy, he has been one of the most fined golfers for his language, maybe Jeff can confirm this. Of course the camera is on him continuously, but that doesn’t give him a pass I know. I just think a lot of people have been waiting on this moment to kill the guy. That is fine, I believe in the redemptive part of every man’s story.
NRBQ
April 7th, 2012
9:11 pm
22 comments. Less than impressive, Jeff.
Perhaps you could have written a little something about the golf that was played today at Augusta.
Ann Kilgore
April 7th, 2012
9:11 pm
Mr. Schultz, I appreciate your response to my comment so thank you for that. I believe that if you hold him to his promises of being more respectful of the game during his mea culpa press conference in 2010, it’s pretty easy to arrive at the conclusion that he is an embarrassment to himself and the game. Even when he was winning, his behavior was an embarrassment but everyone overlooked it because he was winning and a lot of people were getting rich. We’ll never know but I can’t imagine Byron Nelson or Gene Sarazan would approve of his golf course etiquette.
Old Fan
April 7th, 2012
9:52 pm
It is obvious that the PGA Tour field is so much deeper than when Tiger was younger. The reality is that Michelson, Rory, Louis, Bubba, Westwood,Kuchar, Hanson, Luke and countless others can beat this guy on most days. He is done.
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
10:02 pm
Old Fan, I agree with that. But you can thank Tiger for that. He revitalized golf and brought so many of these young guys into the game.
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
10:04 pm
Not to mention the money. People don’t remember how boring pro golf had become in the mid 90’s
Spare me
April 7th, 2012
10:04 pm
He is no longer relevant. Please start giving more coverage to players that make a difference.
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
10:05 pm
most purses were $300k at best
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
10:08 pm
ask CBS if he is relevant
Budd
April 7th, 2012
10:12 pm
The emperor has no clothes. Sorry it took you so long to realize it.
Jeff
April 7th, 2012
10:17 pm
meant to say winning share was 300k, now most wins are worth over a million
rusty
April 7th, 2012
10:50 pm
This week at Augusta, what has Tiger done more – make birdies or kick and throw clubs?
just a thought...
April 7th, 2012
11:09 pm
…that’s on the serious side….OK, for just this time? T.Y.. Jeff!
Have got to think that there is more being reworked in Tiger’s life than his golf swing. Seems as though his fall set in motion a time of introspection through his stated rehab and accompanying accountability.
His meteoric rise to prominence and dazzling success only served to hide some serious issues that he was either in denial about or failed to recognize. Having the world’s opinion of you change so dramatically, losing close friends, experiencing the wrath of his wife and the loss of his father to say nothing of having to feel the shame of his mother must have caused the reality of his issues to consume him.
For someone to be so addicted to porn and manage such a massive coverup of extensive and multiple indelities is manifesting the typical traits of an addict…lying and denial. Coming face to face with his demons must be infinitely more difficult than a mere swing change. Our profession reveals our areas of talents and giftings, but ones sexuality goes to our true identity and can reveal more of our true character than many other things combined.
I can’t help but be reminded seeing tomorrow is Easter how Jesus forgave the woman caught in the act of adultery (where was the man?) saying: “I forgive you, go and sin no more.” Yeah, it is easy to pick on Tiger, but wonder how many men who follow him say to themselves: “Thank goodness I haven’t been found out”?
Finally, Tiger has always counted his victories by the number of majors he wins, but something tells me that if he continues with his rehab that he will one day say that his greatest victory will be gaining the victory over sexual addiction.
Kevin
April 7th, 2012
11:14 pm
He can still win majors. He’s just 36. But watching the most arrogant person I’ve ever seen struggle is exhilarating. He’s a first class punk, a childish, selfish, . . . punk. Honestly, I can’t believe he has any fans. Seriously. Who pulls for somebody who acts like that – ON THE COURSE? Many of our sports heroes have acted like Tiger’s acted AWAY from their game, but they were respectful of the game, the fans, and their opponents WHILE IN ACTION. His “apology” was nothing but him saying, “I’m sorry if YOU don’t like what I did – but not for what I did.”
Whopper Dawg
April 7th, 2012
11:15 pm
He had a chance to be the all time great both in wins and representing the game of golf as a champion.
He may still do the former, but he will never do the latter. Jack, Arnie and Gary teeing off today in respect for the tournament and the game. What class. Woods, a no show. You would have had to shackle me to stop from being there.
He is a self absorbed jerk.
Arnold Ziffel
April 7th, 2012
11:16 pm
Tiger Woods is a puss and not worth our time.
Kevin
April 7th, 2012
11:17 pm
And someone previously spoke of Woods as a PED user, a la Barry bonds. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. Lots of “golf” people talk about how “thick” Tiger used to be, but he’s never been thick. These same people think scrawny little Camillo Villegas* has BIG ARMS – (Gary McCord, have you ever seen a big arm???). But my point is, PEDs have nothing to do with controlling your golf ball, and Tiger still seems to hit it pretty far – although some golf commentators say it’s b/c he’s de-lofting the club.
3d
April 7th, 2012
11:41 pm
Don’t understand why so many think this cat is the greatest of all time.
He’s using better equipment against lesser competition than Nicklaus faced.
Doesn’t look like he going to break Jack’s record. He’s not 23 anymore and his skills obviously have diminished.
Yet, the media was wetting it’s pants after Bay Hill and declaring him the Masters Champion for 2012.
You would think they wouldn’t be so fast to do that.
Just shows they know more about sports than you or I do.
Big Crimson 75
April 7th, 2012
11:42 pm
Go Lefty !!
Gomer Pyle
April 7th, 2012
11:49 pm
Jeff – you and the rest of your media cronies are idiots. You all say the game of golf needs Tiger. I say B.S. We’re having another great, great tournament and I (along with most of the world) would appreciate it if someone would cover the tournament instead of the Punk. All you media leeches want him so you’ll have something to write about but the rest of us are SO freakin sick of you making TW the story. He’s not the story… The purses were smaller back in the 80’s and early 90’s so were NBA, MLB, and NFL contracts. Let me let you in on a secret…Tiger didn’t create golf. The game of golf was fine before he came along and it is finer still now that he is passing into irrelevancy. We had John Daly, the stroy of Ben Crenshaw, the Golden Bear making a surprising run in his later years, and many other great stories. Please, please, please move on and leave your infatuation with TW. There’s a great Sunday in Augusta shaing up and it doesn’t include TW.
Will Robinson
April 7th, 2012
11:51 pm
Just makes you realize how great Jack Nicklaus really was. Tiger may yet break or catch Jack but its not the cakewalk everyone thought a few years back.
Gomer Pyle
April 7th, 2012
11:56 pm
Tiger who?
Burgess
April 8th, 2012
1:53 am
The difference in Mickelson and Tiger is that Phil has a respect for the game of golf. Tiger never has cared about the game or anybody but himself.
Phil is a gentleman, Tiger isn’t.
Barney Fife
April 8th, 2012
1:58 am
Schultz,
I guess you have no respect for the game of golf. Tiger is over the top, I respect the game. I have no respect for Tiger anymore, Your defense of Tiger is puzzling. Tiger needs to be fined and called out by the PGA and Masters Officials.
Bubba Jones
April 8th, 2012
3:36 am
Jeff….the man is tied for 38th thru 3 rounds and you devoted a column of ink to him? His lack of emotional control and the little sissie fit displayed in Augusta are nothing new. Find something interesting to report.
Spare me
April 8th, 2012
4:11 am
No Jeff he is no longer relevant to golf other than advertising. Sports writers, talking heads and marketing yes. He sells ad time because the press is obsessed with the guy. The true golf fan has been over him for quite some time. Just look at the AJC. Two references out of five on the front page for someone not even in the hunt. He’s golf’s living gossip magazine. He is one of two photo galleries today (which I have no interest in viewing). He appeals to the lowest common denominator. How sad, Such talent wasted through his own choices. Too bad for the guys at the top of the leaderboard.
legionaire
April 8th, 2012
4:45 am
Jeff I agree that the 4 knee operations and the achilles issue has effected his game. You also have to factor in the hundreds of all nighters he pulled over the years. He had to compensate somehow to compete. Who knows what kind of pain killers he is taking? At 36 he is an old man athletically. It looks like he is just another guy on the circuit. The one constant for Woods is his dad attitude on the course. Ted Williams and Ty Cobb were also jerks to fans and the press but they both respected the game. Woods proves year in and year out that he doesn’t.
Stinger 2
April 8th, 2012
5:50 am
Although I no longer have favorite tour players, I continue to have some interest. What I see is another period of waiting for the next “great player” to come along and dominate. It may not be long since there are so many more young players with the potential to do so. On the other hand the abundance of talent could level the playing field so that no one will dominate as Jack or Tiger have done in the past. As for Tiger, I agree that he is now over hyped by most of the media.
Dap01
April 8th, 2012
6:12 am
No one was teased by Tiger except ESPN and the AJC. He is an average pro golfer and a below average human. Karma is hard on people with bad character. He shows no signs of havinb better character and he probably has no signs of having better karma.
Hint to Jeff: Write about something worthwhile.
Dap01
April 8th, 2012
6:14 am
Write about someone else for a change.
johnny
April 8th, 2012
7:12 am
1. Tiger is not an athlete. Golf its not a sport (John Daly).\
2. And remember said athlete did steroids.
Joey
April 8th, 2012
7:17 am
I sure heard a lot of cheers thundering through Augusta National yesterday and I am confused. I thought that only happens when Tiger plays.
At least that’s what ESPN tell us . . .
derrick
April 8th, 2012
7:28 am
his apology was a typical “if I offended you i’m sorry” non-apology. in the words of Kramer ‘”im sorry, I don’t care for that sorry.” tiger still doesn’t care about anyone but himself. the tease on the front page of the ajc said this column was about phil. i’m sorry i don’t care for false advertising.
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
7:33 am
Big Crimson 75……..Go Lefty!!!!! Now that is something you and I finally agree upon!!!
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
7:40 am
johnny………….if you put it to a vote, golf would be considered a sport by overwhelming numbers. If you had ever tried to play the game, you would feel different. Standing over a $10.00 Naussa putt on 18 with your buddies sure feels like sport to me and alot of others out there!
joeybiten
April 8th, 2012
7:54 am
how about an article about his profanity laced, club kicking, totally unprofessional behaviour?
cloudodust
April 8th, 2012
7:55 am
As they say in Athens, Finish the drill >Phil
Chris Murphy
April 8th, 2012
8:06 am
Remember when Nicklaus was asked years ago about Tiger, as in would he be the greatest ever, would he eclipse Jack’s career? Nicklaus said something to the effect of, wait until after he is married. At the time, I thought (being a married guy myself), yeah, home worries and pressures will make a difference, but how much? This kid is a phenomenon. I wonder what Jack is thinking now (I know he wouldn’t say anything for attribution, but still…). He must’ve known what Tiger’s ‘lifestyle’ was.
And yes, it is all mental with the guy. He has the physical skills.
johnny
April 8th, 2012
8:19 am
Paddy. In high school the jocks played baseball, football and basketball not golf. Oh and remember your supposed to keep it quiet for the putt??? It takes skill not athletic ability.
I guess Tiger can now join Seal Team Six since he is such a great athlete and such, please…
TechRon
April 8th, 2012
8:32 am
It was so ridiculous that everyone was ready to drop down and start kissing Tiger’s ass because he won one tournament. ESPN had a poll that said “Who would you take in the Masters, Tiger or The Field.” Can you believe that it was about 50-50? Well that is so silly. Ever since he fell from grace he has not been any better than an average pro. Back when he was hot (admittedly for a long time), he had little competition. Other than Lefty, there were hardly any other great players. Now I bet there are 30 players just as good as he is or better. And they hit it further. If Tiger wins another major, I will be surprised. Nicklaus’ record is safe. Tiger will finish with no more than 16 and probably with his present 14. He is an ordinary player! I never understood the fascination with this guy. What is it about him that makes so many idiots want to follow his every step?
McDonoughGator
April 8th, 2012
8:52 am
Go Phil!!! It’s time for Tiger to grow up. It’s time he starts giving back to the game that made him a very rich and famous man. Let’s face it, Tiger has many issues going on in his life and his head. Obviously, Budha is not helping him.
AlpharettaGuy
April 8th, 2012
8:56 am
I recall the words of my son’s college baseball coach, intended to give the stars of the team the right perspective: “the game doesn’t need you.” Don’t think this message has gotten through to Tiger and Tiger fans but it is no less true.
mebeingme
April 8th, 2012
9:04 am
I’m (most certain) sure his father wouldn’t accept this behavior……unlike Schultz has
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
9:21 am
johnny…..skill and athletic ability go hand in hand in sport. You don’t need a batting helmet or shoulder pads to be considered playing a sport Life is bigger than you high school experiences. As you grow in experience you will realize what makes a sportsman. Try playing ping pong or shooting baskets with those pro golfers and see how you stack up. Don’t be so narrow and expand your thinking. You will enjoy life much better.
jimjones
April 8th, 2012
9:45 am
How did you get to be such a putz Jeff? Were you relentlessly tormented as a child? Did you have no real world friends, and so, were left with only T.V. as the sole guide to your “pop culture world view?” We’ve had to endure the first two rounds of the “Tiger Woods Show,” because the pop culture nerds at ESPN (who are no different than you) don’t have a clue. Pop Culture (Tiger Woods) sycophants continually devote undue time and resources to irrelevant figures whom they believe to be worthy of attention, not because that person deserves it through merit, but only because they’ve built up in their minds, a hero worthy of worship and devotion, all filtered through the prism of television (all just pop culture nerds creating and consuming their own reality).
Why are you writing about Augusta anyway? Didn’t you recently decry the Augusta Golf Club for not permitting female membership? Why not boycott them and do us all a favor?
Sid
April 8th, 2012
9:54 am
Sorry to repeat myself “Tiger won’t win it but he will be fun to watch”.
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
10:09 am
jimjones……you want to see an uproar? Not sending a reporter to the biggest golf event of the year would send shockwaves all through the ajc headquarters. People decry what Congress does! That does not mean we stop watching them! If Jeff boycotted the Masters, after being told to cover the event, he would soon find himself out of a job!
People watch Tiger and the Masters because they enjoy it. It has no bearing on their state of mind or lack of mental health. A very narrow post by you and shows lack of thought.
ArrDoubleU
April 8th, 2012
10:09 am
I wonder what old patterns he thinks he’s falling into because he used to win so I’m not seeing these old patterns.
BRW
April 8th, 2012
10:41 am
I’m sure dumb johnny also thinks shooting deer with a high powered rifle is a sport. Being a dumb jock also does not make you an athelete.
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
10:53 am
BRW…..well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, johnny would believe hunting is a sport, but not here in this public forum! I wonder if he hunts in shoulder pads and a batting helmut? Scary picture!!
Tiger's Woody
April 8th, 2012
11:22 am
“Ok…I’m sorry dammit”…now…”Who’s up fo da Pink Pony?”
DP
April 8th, 2012
11:23 am
“31 putts – that’s not a misprint”
Why would anybody who knew anything about golf think that 31 puts was a misprint? It is not an unusual number at all for a pro golfer. The PGA Tour no longer reports the putts per round statistic, but I found a ranking for 2007 and there was one golfer on tour who averaged less than 28 putts per round, Tim Clark at 27.9. Tiger averaged 28.93 that year, back when he was still winning a lot of tournaments, and he certainly had plenty of rounds with 31 putts or more. When you see a pro golfer with 22-25 putts it generally means he missed a ton of greens and chipped the ball close to the hole all day. More greens in regulation typically means longer first putts and more putts per round, which is why the PGA Tour has gone to other stats that they think better measure putting performance.
If the AJC doesn’t have any reporters who know anything about golf on staff perhaps it should just save the expense of sending a reporter to Augusta and just run AP stories, which will also generally focus more on Tiger than the players who are leading the tournament.
Dawgdad (The Original)
April 8th, 2012
11:30 am
I think the excessive over the top praise and over promotion (see JS after his win two weeks ago) when he is going good result in excessive criticism and scorn when he struggles. People get tired of the hype. Let Tiger be Tiger. He is no longer the greatest golfer in the world and ESPN and CBS can build their broadcasts around Tiger all they want, it only causes people to resent and disparage the poor guy. No one feels sorry for Tiger nor the media, so get over yourselves.
Coach Bobby Petrino
April 8th, 2012
11:31 am
I thought Tiger was just striking that pose to pay homage and as a shoutout to all his mistresses who assumed the same position for him.
Coach Bobby Petrino
April 8th, 2012
11:31 am
Any of you ladies want to Ride My Hog?
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
11:33 am
DP…..you are right, putts per round is a non-starter statistic. But some official could have been counting Tiger’s putts and that number could be accurate! Everthing he does gets documented, why not putts per round? But it is a high number, I grant you that! If it is true, Jeff was right in reporting this unusal # of putts. It was a worth footnote.
DP
April 8th, 2012
11:38 am
Paddy, my point was that 31 putts in a round is not at all unusual for a professional golfer, that it was only 2 over what Tiger averaged in 2007. It’s like reporting on a quarterback who completes 65% of his passes over the course of a season and writing of a particular game “he only completed 61% of his passes – this is not a typo”.
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
11:54 am
DP……I get your point now, thanks!
Jason Duffer
April 8th, 2012
12:02 pm
Good piece, Jeff. I do think, however, that Dahlberg’s comments were not necessarily out of bounds. Look at the photograph, Tiger is making like Morten Andersen with a nine iron and two little kids are looking directly at him. It was an embarassment that needed more than the lame “I apologise if I offended anyone” dodge. Every golfer out there has hit a bad shot or two, and sure every shot by Tiger is seen live (unlike Bo Van pelt, for example) but I have never seen a kicked club in 50 years of watching TV golf.
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
12:18 pm
Jason Duffner………It is a good thing tv was not around much to wacth Tommy Bolt play. A 50 yd kicked club would have been a bunt for ole Tommy! And God forbid that he was ever miked during play. Andrew Dice Clay would blush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Holmes
April 8th, 2012
12:38 pm
I wonder if Tigers movie premeier on friday got into that pea size brain he has?
doggoneit
April 8th, 2012
1:18 pm
Wait a Minute!!!! HE just won the last tournament that he played in you Idiot! I wish I played that bad!! He just had a bad week and competitive people play that way.. Jack Nicklaus never was like that in public. In private he just was an ass and everyone in the lope knew it!!
jimjones
April 8th, 2012
1:28 pm
Paddy… You seem to focus primarily on the fact that I suggested Jeff should take into consideration boycotting the Masters. This, like much of the post, was rhetorical and not meant to be taken literally. I do not believe that Jeff would actually boycott the Masters. It’s only purpose was to illustrate my opposition to Jeff’s position on the right of the Augusta National Golf Club’s freedom to associate, and was purely sarcastic.
You also suggest that “People watch Tiger and the Masters because they enjoy it.” Tiger and the Masters are not mutually inclusive . I watch the Masters to see great golf among other things. It does mean that I tune in to the Masters to see Tiger Woods flailing about, cursing, and throwing tantrums, although by default, for the first two rounds, this disproportionate, unbalanced coverage of Tiger is what I was obligated to watch if I wanted to watch the Masters at all. That is the whole point of the post.
Finally, contrary to your statement that the post was narrow, I say the post was broad and sweeping. However, with your superior analytic skills, and intellect, I shall defer to you from this point forward, to come up with popular clichés similar to “narrow minded” etc… .
Gt fan
April 8th, 2012
1:51 pm
Without HGH, steriods or whatever else Eldrick sought from his “doctor in Canada” the guy appears to be nothing more than an average to above-average golfer, capable of an occassional Bay Hill run.
Too bad the media’s constant Tiger force-feedings over the years have made watching tourneys he plays in diffucult b/c he’s all the announcers talk about! Example: Tiger’s in 40th place after Friday, barely making the cut, and yet Nance is still questioning Tiger’s chances with Faldo. You’re kidding me!
rtr22
April 8th, 2012
2:29 pm
This guy will never be the greatest. Nicklaus is and always will be. Can you imagine if Jack would have played with this golf technology?
doggoneit
April 8th, 2012
2:37 pm
Sorry I am just jealous of them all. Let me get back to my 12.35 cents an hour job.
Bravesfan79
April 8th, 2012
3:03 pm
BAHAHAHAHA…. screw u tiger.
dre
April 8th, 2012
3:28 pm
With Tiger, at least 1) he didn’t quit and go home this time and 2) we don’t have to bear looking at Stevie Williams anymore.
Tea Party Meber
April 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
Why do sum of U want a lefty 2 win? Its the librals that E messing this nation up
Tea Party Meber
April 8th, 2012
5:59 pm
I ment 2 say R messing this nation up
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
6:32 pm
jimjones ….to be sarcatic in print is very difficult and many times can be misinterpretured. Of course the coverage is unbalanced. If it were not for Tiger in previous years, golf would be less than attrative to the masses. But still many, many folks still enjoy watching Tiger play and love to watch the Master. To seperate those two groups is to disinfranchise many golf followers whom would otherswise not have the enjoyment of the experience. Thanks for defering to me, i appreciate the gesture.
Bubba Jones
April 8th, 2012
7:14 pm
Yesterday “Woodie”, as the babe’s call him. was tied for 38th….finished today at 40th….why no poor Tigger column? Gott’a keep the AJC sports writers deam alive…don’t ya’???
TigerR
April 8th, 2012
7:22 pm
Tiger needs to lay off the hot 20 something chicks during the golf season–they are draining his energy. Women weaken legs!
oh goody
April 8th, 2012
7:59 pm
Great Masters, but all you can do is bash a has been. What did you pull out an old article and change the name of the player and/or sport?
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
8:08 pm
Congrats Bubba DGD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Snake Doc
April 8th, 2012
8:11 pm
Schultz is a two bit hack. A bed wetting liberal arts major who has no clue why a men’s only club would not admit women as members. just because schultz wears panties and wets his bed he thinks all men do the same.
Schultz also needs eldrick to validate his career choice as a schmuck two bit writer for the Al jazeera Constipation. schultz is almost as big a schmuck as eldrick!
Carolina DAWG
April 8th, 2012
8:18 pm
My Dog Fans in Carolina can DO WITHOUT any more mention of TIGER WOODS. he has disgraced the masters and his personal life. Someday he will have to explain all this fall from grace to his two beautiful children. Am so glad his beautiful wife gave him the BOOT – she showed her class when she left for Sweden. Great job girl. Raise your children away from this Sex Feen!!!!
Find somebody worth writing about – Jeff you can do better than this week!!!!!
61 year Braves Fan
April 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mikkelson, and countless others are real class acts.
Tiger Woods is an arrogant good for nothing punk.
61 year Braves Fan
April 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
Tiger should be suspended from tournament play by Roger Goodell.
Chipper
April 8th, 2012
8:41 pm
Tiger, my man, let’s hook up at the local Hooters. I can hook you up with some killer waitresses. That will help you get over your disappointing Masters.
Love,
Chipper Jones
Bravissimo
April 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
Bubba!!! now he’s got class!