My take on the controlled, invitation-only, staged affair Friday at Ponte Vedra:It reminded me of the Teddy Kennedy/Chappaquidick/Mary Jo Kopechne press conference years ago.No mulligan here, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.The Tour Headquarters should never have been used for Tiger, giving the appearance of condoning his indiscretions.Why not Nike or IMG headquarters?The Golf Writers of America hit is straight down the middle by boycotting the event. Ernie Els scored a double eagle by stating that it was selfish to do it on a Friday against the World Golf Championship/Accenture Match Play in Arizona. Additionally, why take away from the Olympic coverage when we're rooting for all athletes, especially from the US?Whatever input Tiger's agent, Mark Steinberg, had, has the late Mark McCormack rolling over!We wonder where Stevie was for support, his bagman who pleads innocent over Tiger's extracurriculars. And, to Elin, you register an "ace" by not attending or in bringing the children along. One wonders, after the kiss from Mother, Kultida, what would have dad Earl done had he been alive? Tiger gets a DNF, and "what I did was not acceptable" also applies to Friday's I'm-sorry-now scenario. Daniel Wilson, Cleveland, OHÂ
If the powers to be want Tiger back, remove his name from the rankings.You don't play, you're not No.1. And when Tiger returns, he would do well to muzzle his caddie. Any more of Mr. Williams "pitbull" attacks on the gallery would not go over well. Not to mention the libel issues it could create for Mr. Woods Inc., the tournament, and the PGA for not protecting the gallery. None of us needs that. Tiger needs to man up and face the consequences of his life decisions. They'll pass with time. Will Reynolds, Issaquah, WA.
Enough already Tiger's private life is just that private. I for one would rather see a rusty Tiger playing in the Masters than seeing a Zach Johnson, Vijay Singh or whomever playing lights out at the Masters. As a fan of Tigers I am more interested in seeing him play golf not in his tabloid achievement Gene Martineau, Roseville,CA
Tiger Woods needed to apologize (in private) to the PGA Tour for how his behavior has tainted the integrity of the tour's players and its sponsors. That's it. The PGA Tour is solely responsible for his wealth and fame. Without the PGA, what would Tiger Woods be? His failure to acknowledge this diminishes greatly his stature among the great golfers of all time. Fred Whitney, Salem, ORI am not interested in Tiger's private life. But I do care what he does on the course. I terminated my interest in watching TV golf many years ago when I became annoyed by CBS, NBC and Golf Channel announcers who focused a majority of TV time on Tiger and dissed the other golfers on the course. Whether he was on the first page or 25th on the leader board, we were subjected to a rerun of his every shot, his every sip of water, etc., and the constant molasses-like adoration. As the Tiger-less 2010 season began, I discovered a multitude of excellent tour players—both upcoming and veterans —who are a joy to watch. No club throwing, no 'goddams', and no F-bombs. These gentlemen continually acknowledge the crowd while playing a hole or walking thru to the next one.....and spending many hours signing autographs at the end of their round. I am not a Tiger fan. But, I hope if/when he returns he will consider being a "true role model" to those who enjoy this wonderful and challenging game. Tony Scaran, Orange, CA
My first impression was that here was a man that had to literally be taught how to say I'm sorry like one might teach his or her child. Many will argue he was sorry alright, sorry that he was caught. My gut tells me he was sincere in his apology and relieved that his secret had been exposed. Call me naive but I actually believe that Woods wrote much, if not all of the statement he read. I'm sure his handlers had their say but I can almost picture Woods writing and re-writing that statement over and over again while in therapy....Tiger needs to get back on the golf course, ASAP! That is where he can find peace. That is where he can escape. That is where he can regain a sense of meaning, purpose, and worth. Once he wins that first tournament all will be forgiven. Golf, Tiger, Golf! His life is not about eclipsing Jack Nicklaus' number of major championships. His life is not about pursuing the calendar Grand Slam. His life is not about being the best golfer on the planet if not in history. No, right now Tiger Woods' life seems to be about trying to save a marriage and family that is on life support. He is facing a mountain, of his own making, that will require a proud arrogant man so accustomed to getting to humble himself and give of himself to his wife and children like he has never done in his life. If the price to be paid is to permanently walk away from professional golf, but to do so with his wife and children by his side, then I will shout from the rooftops of Augusta, Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, and Whistling Straits: Walk, Tiger Walk!Chris Amos, Norfolk, VA. More tomorrow....
--Bob Carney
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