Analyzing Tiger
Sunday, January 3, 2010
It's been a month now and your letters about Tiger still dominate the mail of both Golf Digest and Golf World. The tone of your messages, however, has changed: less outrage, more analysis, some of it even empathetic. (See
Jaime Diaz's Golf Digest story for a very good job trying to explain Tiger's behavior and
Geoff Russell's column in Golf World on what the public's attitude might eventually be). Here are excerpts from a few of your latest. I like this first one because it echoes a dozen conversations I've had about Woods during the holidays. The gist of it is, "Tiger, you're going to have to make up your mind...."
I am a huge Tiger the golfer fan. I was also a fan of Tiger the person up to and including the time he told the off-color joke which he thought was off the record ... I personally think Tiger got lucky. The real Tiger was outed. In fact, it looks as if he subconsciously set the whole thing up. Tiger, ask yourself a serious question. Is it really possible for you to be monogamous? Skip all this contrition nonsense that people are recommending. It just looks like so much posturing to the PC crowd. Don't forget that you have it all. You are rich, good looking, famous, accomplished and from what I hear fun when you let your hair down. This all adds up to the fact that there is a lot more where all the others came from.
-- Frank Soracco, Venice, CA
The best thing that could happen to the game of golf would be for Tiger Woods to return not just a champion, and not just repentant for his off-course behavior, but with a new humility that extends to his on-course demeanor. Tiger's club-slamming, cursing, and overly aggressive victory celebrations are all contrary to the spirit of the game. In a society where being "number one" has become overvalued, it would do a world of good if one of sports' all-time greats learned to be a true gentleman not only off the field of competition, but on it.
-- Tim Robert, New York, NY
I resent all the negative attitudes that have been thrown Tiger’s way. Did he screw up, yes! Does he deserve all the hostilities, no! The average golf fan does not understand the amount of women that are thrown at the “average player’s” feet, let alone the top player’s. I have witnessed this first hand, and I would have a problem with saying no to some of these women, and I am a happily married man of 18 years! Back off of Tiger, he has enough on his plate. We do not need to add to it. My message to Tiger, hang in there and take care of your kids, they are the most important part of your life, not golf!
-- Keith Agel
-- Bob Carney
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