Tiger Woods: A fallen star, and officially a failure at marriage
I once asked Tiger Woods to describe, in 25 words or less, what it was like being Tiger Woods. Being Tiger Woods, he finished 24-under.
“Sweet,” he said.
That was in October 2003. It happened after Tiger’s first round at the WGC-American Express Championship in Woodstock. There weren’t many folks there that Thursday, and essentially everybody on hand was following Tiger. (Department of weird coincidences: One of those in Tiger’s gallery was Damon Evans, who would become Georgia’s athletics director the next year.)
Tiger Woods would become engaged to Elin Nordegren the next month. They would marry in 2004 in Barbados, with the guests including Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan and Bill Gates. Tiger and Elin would have two children. Life seemed … well, sweet.
As of today, Tiger and Elin are no longer man and wife. Not nine months after he ran into a fire hydrant backing out of his driveway on the morning after Thanksgiving, the divorce has been finalized. And if you’re chuckling and saying, “Tiger’s free to chase women and not be labeled a cheetah” … ask yourself this: Do you think even Tiger Woods would today describe his life as “sweet”?
He has lost a wife. He will surely be rendered an absentee father. Once the idol of millions, he’s now a fallen star — indeed, maybe the biggest fallen star in the history of sports. He has not won a tournament this calendar year, and there were years when Tiger would claim a half-dozen trophies. (Indeed, he won that modest event in Woodstock.)
He’ll surely win again, but we will never again regard him the same way. He has gone from being unbeatable to being the butt of jokes and now, as of this Monday in August 2010, he’s legally just another failed husband.
Even if this damage was all self-inflicted, the temptation is nonetheless to feel a bit sorry for him. Because none of us will ever know how it is to Have It All. And none of us, thank goodness, will ever know how it is to throw so much away.
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243 comments Add your comment
It's Me
August 23rd, 2010
4:00 pm
One Strking Rattler, like I said, get a life. How long has it been since this all unfolded? Move on. And just to let you know, since you seem to be so naive, there are many men and women who have done the unthinkable to their spouses. Tiger isn’t the first one. Get a grip and let’s move on. Leave the man alone.
Beast from the East
August 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
If you ask me, he still has it pretty “sweet”. Single, worth millions and still has plenty of great years ahead of him. I’m not condoning what he did, but life goes on!
It's Me
August 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
I love to be thought off, becuase that means I’ve left an impression. I appreciate you!
GIVE ME A BREAK
August 23rd, 2010
4:03 pm
He’s a failure as a husband and a father. The greatest thing he could have done for his children is to love their mother. He’s finished.
George
August 23rd, 2010
4:04 pm
Let’s face it. Money, power and fame are great aphrodisiacs. If the truth be told, there are legions of other sports stars who have succumbed to the same temptations. That doesn’t make it right, but it’s the reality of things going back ages. Tiger has multiple opportunities to do good things for the remainder of his career – things that serve others in a positive way. And he still has money, just less of it.
Subrational
August 23rd, 2010
4:04 pm
What dude in his right mind would even consider cheating on this chick?
Dr. Warren
August 23rd, 2010
4:05 pm
Tony, see my first comment to understand what OJ has to do with it. Mark said Tiger’s fall from grace was perhaps the biggest in sports history–I begged to differ.
Mikey in SAV
August 23rd, 2010
4:05 pm
Let’s see, that’s 12 skanks and a Perkins waitress….
Was it worth it, Eldrick?
johnd
August 23rd, 2010
4:06 pm
I didn’t get it. Can you tell us somebody of great public figure who stood behind his marriage for life? This is nonesense and trash talk. He is not a SEC official who let the whole economy crumbled watching …. movies 10 hours a day at work. So what is special about TWs? He has done a lot of good things for the poor kids in the country to make them have better future? Do you think Donald trump did that? This is insane and inferiority complex by me. The only thing I need from him is kick Rory’s *** on the golf course. I am glad it is over, time for recovery begins from now on.
PMC
August 23rd, 2010
4:08 pm
Just a sad story in general. I hope everyone in the family can move on and have good lives… and maybe he will find his game again.
I hope for all to have great success.
chaz112what
August 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
I can’t remember who said it but its true!
“A MAN IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL HE’S MARRIED….THEN HE’S FINISHED”
My advise too him is too keep moving don’t stand still to long or it will get you again.
Tigers Woody
August 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
When he figured out how many women he was going to bed, he would have saved a ton of money if he just did the honorable thing and split from his wife and left her with the prenup, but more importantly, avoided all the humiliation and indignity he reaped on her and his kids as a world class dirt bag hound dog.
johnd
August 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
how many of you guys spend the whole day and night watching those creepy movies? Don’t rush to judge somebody else before you make clean yourself. Look yourself in the mirror and you know what I am saying.
Rob
August 23rd, 2010
4:10 pm
hell, she’s a failed wife.
Rob
August 23rd, 2010
4:11 pm
You losers think it’s your inalienable right to know what celebs do. Who cares anyway? Besides, Elin should have been taking care of her man.
Big-C
August 23rd, 2010
4:11 pm
I’m a Beast,
He needs to get some new women, so he can get back to winning. I have never been affected by anyone that I do not personally know. Whether it was Magic Johnson with HIV, OJ and the verdict, Elvis and the overdose or all the people who cheat/open relationship. You are human and you will make a mistake. How would you feel if everyday of your life was placed under a microscope? If you can’t put your imperfection on display why comment about some who has.
Eldrick is the next big story for someone. Her life will be photographed with the hopes of catching her with someone or doing something we think may be stupid or inappropriate.
jokurone
August 23rd, 2010
4:11 pm
seems to me all of the fallen stars have one thing in common totally dumb!
jokurone
August 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
Subrational don’t always judge a book by it’s cover.
Linda
August 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
I still and always will pull for Tiger when he is playing golf. He is still one of the great golfers of our time.
Yes, he made a mistake – but who among us hasn’t?
I think he will start winning again and life will go one on for everyone.
JB
August 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
Dr. Warren,
OJ Simpson was found not guilty. Dont’s bring his name up!!!
JD
August 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
@johnd – agreed for the most part. It’s time for him to get on with Phase 2 of his young life and the rest of us to leave him alone. Far be it from any of us to cast the first stone….
Rob
August 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
Show me a hot babe and I’ll show you the dude that tired of “hitting” it.
Ben
August 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
A tough ending and a hard life lesson learned. He’ll rebound but I still can’t help but believing that his ex-wife was waiting for this literal golden opportunity and he stupidly gave it to her. So in the end all of the money that he paid for damage control, “sex-addiction therapy”, etc. was a waste of time and money. She knew what she had planned and he fell right into the trap. From what I’ve heard the settlement is going to cost him at least half of a billion dollars; correct me if I’m wrong.
That’s a lot of money and resources that he’s squandered and will be out of. He and Damon “dummy” Evans could write the book on matrimonial stupidity.
harold
August 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
Do not agree with the author about Tiger and it is over let both Tiger and Elin get on with their lives. Their lives have been front page news for 9 months, let them have privacy. Carmen, they are divorced – time to move on.
Ken
August 23rd, 2010
4:15 pm
The comparison is that OJ and Tiger both cheated on their white, drop-dead gorgeous wives, and were jealous of the attention their wives received.
Michael
August 23rd, 2010
4:15 pm
Mark you are an ass. It appears you are happy to see a star fail. Stars are no different than anyone when it comes to life. We all fail including you.
truth
August 23rd, 2010
4:15 pm
i think its her fault.
Dr. Warren
August 23rd, 2010
4:15 pm
JB–I assume you’re joking.
James McMullen
August 23rd, 2010
4:16 pm
Tiger Woods, Chipper Jones “nuh said”
michael
August 23rd, 2010
4:17 pm
society loves a winner and loves to kick ‘em back down to the rest of us “bottom feeders
Tiger....bah hum bug
August 23rd, 2010
4:19 pm
Overrated. Nicholas immediate consistent competition had 54 majors, Tiger has 9 meaning the field is so spread out…a bunch of good…but very few greats. He is an island unto himself. Not fair but he cannot be considered great if he does not have competition.
Yes the 54 to 9 is lifetime and Woods is still playing but even if you extroplate there is no way Woods consistent competitors have 54 when he retires.
Uncle Tom
August 23rd, 2010
4:19 pm
Men and women do it all the time; probably have been ever since the stone age. Only difference is nowadays, they go to Court as opposed to sicking the pet woolly mammoth on ‘em. Ever watch the tv show Cheaters?
tony
August 23rd, 2010
4:20 pm
Dr.Warren, you just want to keep the OJ Simpson story alive so can keep jabbing at the guy. Just admit it.
It's Me
August 23rd, 2010
4:21 pm
Michael, I have to agree with you. That is what’s wrong with all of these self-righteous, judgemental people on this blog. Everyone is acting as if, they have never fallen short of anything in their life. That is just plain wrong. At the end of the day, people tend to forget (I cannot understand for the life of me, why) that these entertainers/celebrities are human-being just like us.
jmc
August 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Woods’ rehab is NOT over; yes his divorce is finalized but he still needs to work on his ‘my sh*t don’t stink’ personality. Last year’s incident allowed his colleagues and announcers to speak honestly for the first time – he is a jerk and he acts like a jerk. TV is no longer going to cover for his on-course histrionics…he’s got a lot work to do before he can earn back any trust, and that will distract him from being the player he was
Tiger Rules
August 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Tiger’s worth a billion $—he gives his golddigger wife a couple hundred mil to keep her quiet and he’s still got $800 mil to play the field around the world with superstar models—who will not be after that munch bling. Tiger—a real ladies man!!!
Nick
August 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
@Airtran: Now thats funny (LMAO)
Oliverga
August 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
@ Mark Bradley?, Who the H*LL are You?
You and your didactic scriblble make me sick. Your dirty laundry hasn’t been aired yet so you’re justified in putting yourself and those like you above Tiger? You cheat on your taxes, steal money, commit fraud, lie for wealth or postition and commit adultery & fornication and then have the gumption to utter that “you’re better than he?”. You’re worse!. I don’t condone Tigers actions. Any man/woman that neglects their spouse in this manner needs serious therapy. Many men who commit this act are only devoted to a hedonistic thrill. You sir are nothing more than just a hireling.
Mitzymy
August 23rd, 2010
4:24 pm
In an article it stated that years ago all golfers cheated on their wives, but no one told, and the girls were grateful for the extra money the men gave them. This might be the example that Tiger followed, along with his father cheating on his mother. At the time of his fathers death, he and Tigers mother were divorced, because of his cheating. Tiger should have waited until he finished with his golf career before he married. He certainly wasn’t ready for marriage and a family. He is so good looking until the women can’t resist him. To date, he had sex with 15 different women and never gave any of them a dime. He will be force to be dealt with next year, as he will come back better than ever.
OJ
August 23rd, 2010
4:24 pm
How dare you compare a former hall of fame running back and great actor to Tiger Woods. Heck, if it wasn’t for being in prison right now, Nicoles real killer would be locked up. Oh wait…he is.
Bradleyisalwayswrong
August 23rd, 2010
4:25 pm
When is the AJC going to trade Bradley and get a real reporter? And when are you Bradley blog folks going to stop asking Bradley for facts? He doesn’t know how to find out anything. All he can do is make comments on what other reporters report.
michael
August 23rd, 2010
4:29 pm
heck, i’ve been with close to 80 women (that i can recall) and had more girlfriends when i was married than when i wasn’t and i didn’t pay a dime and no one cared. oh yeah, i’m a bottom feeder.
Ralph
August 23rd, 2010
4:29 pm
“You can teach golf, but you can’t teach class”……….What a GREAT line. Tiger knows golf, Tiger does NOT know class. He has shown time and time again, even after promising to do better, that he has no class. I don’t mind passion, I don’t mind confidence, I HATE cocky, I HATE arrogance. Ever see Tom, Jack, Ben, Phil, Ernie, Arnold, Annika, Nancy, Dottie, cuss on the course golf in front of thousands and millions on TV. Golf is for Ladies and Gentlemen. Tiger had it all in the palm of his hand but he threw it all away……….You can teach golf, but you can’t teach class…..
It's Me
August 23rd, 2010
4:30 pm
I think you just summed it up “Bradleyisalwasywrong”
TM
August 23rd, 2010
4:31 pm
“…biggest fallen star in the history of sports”: Not Tiger
That award goes the Mike Vick, hands down not even close.
Jail? MV7 yes, Tiger no.
Millions $$ in dept: MV7 yes, Tiger no.
Ruined professional career: MV7 yes, Tiger no.
Both done from their own stupidity, but let’s be clear…
What Tiger did, did not break any laws.
He was a bad husband and father doing what he did to his family.
I could root for Tiger again, but not MV7. sorry.
perplexed
August 23rd, 2010
4:32 pm
Whenever you(indefinite you) exalt someone above all others you are in essence setting them up to fall hard. When they start believing what the quote “worshipers”(particularly the press in Tiger’s case) are saying, they, are two steps from being in big TROUBLE! I witnessed a great pastor who went from taking over a church of 40 to becoming a church of 6000 in 10 years time, fall and fall hard. His fall was with women too!
SEC4Life
August 23rd, 2010
4:34 pm
It’s kinda hard to feel sorry for someone who’s about to cash a 9-figure settlement check too.
Just sayin’…
That's Funny
August 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
“To date, he had sex with 15 different women and never gave any of them a dime.”
L M A O
TRUTH
August 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
YES TIGER WOODS IS A PERFECT MAN AND PERFECT PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER MAKE ANY MISTAKES.
I THOUGHT JESUS WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT IS PERFECT.
SWAT Native
August 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
On TI’s latest mixtape, he says that he visited Lil’ Wayne on Rikers Island, and Wayne told him to tell people not to feel sorry for him because he’s still doing better than the rest of us suckers. I think Tiger could probably say the same thing today. How many people are out there whose divorces got finalized today that are broke, unknown and have failed at their chosen careers?