Questions that need to be answered: Why give these interviews on the same day as the conclusion of a PGA Tour event and upstage the competition? How angry was Tim Finchem when he found out? The reason for this timeline of events is pure and simple: it was the ultimate power play with Team Tiger sending a message to the lords of golf that Tiger, to steal a line from Reggie Jackson many years ago in describing himself, "is the straw that stirs the drink." Unfortunately Jim Furyk, after being winless for several years, finally gets another one and becomes a mere footnote in the sports press last night and today. Nice way for Tiger and his team to treat a fellow pro. I'm sure this is annoying to a number of players. Tiger could have let Furyk have his moment in the sun and done these interviews outside of the Thursday to Sunday PGA Tour framework. We've waited since Thanksgiving for some comments. We could have waited another day or two. But Team Tiger seems to have an agenda and they don't care how it impacts people. Sorry, Jim. You deserved better.
Sandy Caligiore
Lake Placid, NY
I have been a long time supporter and admirer of Tiger Woods, not just for his golfing prowess, but for his professionalism and his class. I am now very disappointed in him as a man, as a husband, as a father and as a son. He has disappointed and embarrassed just about every person who could possibly be important in his life. The public may restore him to his pedestal once he begins to win again, but his pedestal will forever be just a little shorter than those of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. Tiger may beat all of their records, but he will never stand at the same level as them again.
John Abercrombie
Cape Girardeau, MO
The letters last week, before Tiger's interviews with Tom Rinaldi of ESPN and Kelly Tilghman of Golf Channel, weren't much better.
It will be good to see Tiger back on the tour though it's with mixed emotions. As many youth have done, they've (we've) dissed their parents' teachings of life. Now it's not about what he's done but how he responds to what he's done. Augusta will keep out the idiots but something still should be said to express the feelings most have shared. If Tiger is greeted with silence by the gallery the first day, he will get the message. The most powerful expression will be one he has never received. Sort of like his late Dad talking to him. Now if a second coming of Bob May will show up the golf world will see some truly great golf competition. I'd even come in on a sunny day to watch that.
Will Reynolds
Issaquah, WA.
The return of Tiger at the Masters is the height of arrogance. To disrupt the greatest tournament of all for the other players is a shame. Can we now call the patrons fans and know that money always wins out over morals. Shame on you, Augusta and Tiger.
Karel Green
Boynton Beach, FL
I was away this weekend, playing golf down near Hilton Head. When we weren't on the course, and sometimes when we were, we followed the NCAA tournament games, update by update. Interesting, but few us were rooting for the favorites. We were all pulling for the underdogs--Northern Iowa, Ohio, Cornell, St. Mary's--even when it meant busting up our office-pool brackets. Hard to feel that fervor for the underdogs in golf. People tune in and show up to see the big guns, especially Tiger, play--and win. Could this scandal change that? Judging by your letters, it's put quite a few more fans in the anti-Tiger seats.
--Bob Carney
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