Shackelford: You close the book with some pretty strong words directed at Tiger and his lack of forgiveness of Fuzzy Zoeller. You say redemption is available to Tiger, what form would that take and do you see it happening?
Callahan: Tiger has a generous side, or at least he had one once. That day in Cypress, I expected him only to be dutifully polite to these Vietnamese people, on behalf of his father. But he was actually very sweet to them. Tiger, who, as you know, doesn’t like to let anyone inside, brought them into his bedroom and showed them his Star Wars stuff.
Though he was, of course, responsible, Earl sometimes worried that “being Tiger” might be costing his son some human dimension. “So I’m glad he has found a wife, a great wife,” he said. “You know, it’s hard for a caveman to go out on a hunt, bring the damn food into the cave, light the friggin’ fire, do every other damn thing, and then sit there and eat alone. Thank God, Tiger’s not alone.”
But Tiger is alone, and his potential for loneliness is almost off the charts.
Sadly (and meaning it), Ernie Els wondered, “Where’s he going to put his energy now? Into fitness? More and more fitness? Tiger’s going to be a very lonely guy, I think, unfortunately.”
I believe Tiger should look to himself, not his swing, for the solution. Redemption is always possible, don't you think? That’s the way to root, anyway.
Also check out the free podcast of Guy Yocom's interview of Earl in 2005 and Pete McDaniel's recollection of Earl in 2006.
Bob Carney
Photo: Dom Furore
