Opinion & Analysis
Doesn’t Tiger deserve better than butt jokes?
Below is just a sampling of the idiocy I saw in my Twitter feed immediately after Tiger Woods’ withdrawal today.
I can’t say it’s representative of the rest of what’s out there. I can, however, say it’s bothersome, ridiculous, and insensitive. Further, it was a sophomoric display of inappropriate humor from golf writers who should know better.
Dave Kindred – Golf Digest
I think what Tiger means by "activate my glutes" is that it is long past time to get his ass in gear.
— Dave Kindred (@DaveKindred) February 5, 2015
Kyle Porter – CBS Sports
I don't know who is more sad. Via @bradleyjtate. pic.twitter.com/D4FDtjOdLN
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) February 5, 2015
Adam Schupak – Golfweek
I have a feeling that Tiger is going to be the butt of a lot of jokes on Twitter today.
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) February 5, 2015
Jason Sobel – Golf Channel
Phil Mickelson holes a long birdie putt. Man, how 'bout that guy's glutes?!
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) February 5, 2015
Matthew Rudy – Golf Digest
Deactivated glutes…Is the dead ass period in golf anything like the dead arm period in baseball?
— Matthew Rudy (@RudyWriter) February 5, 2015
Somebody needs to register @TigerGlutes stat…
— Matthew Rudy (@RudyWriter) February 5, 2015
Guy Yocom – Golf Digest
Yes, but only with 100% activation. RT @AnnLiguori: #TigerWoods told reporters he couldn't "activate the glutes" Will he ever be 100% again?
— Guy Yocom (@guy_yocom1) February 5, 2015
Stephanie Wei – Wei Under Par
What a pain in the butt: Tiger Woods withdraws due to back injury http://t.co/aWC1fLWJ3T
— Stephanie Wei (@StephanieWei) February 6, 2015
Let’s get this out of the way too. Look at Tiger’s comments:
“It’s just my glutes are shutting off. Then they don’t activate and then, hence, it goes into my lower back.”
The issue with his glutes LED to his back seizing up.
And further, the top portion of the glutes are part of the lower back anyway (if I remember my basic anatomy). Thus, it’s not like Tiger said, “I’m withdrawing because of a pain in my ass.”
It’s a back issue.
We’re burning the guy for offering a technical explanation for how it acted up? Where it hurt first?
To do so is insensitive and inappropriate. I’m not saying that Tiger Woods needs to be placed back on his pre-scandal pedestal or revered as the savior of humanity Earl Woods painted him as.
I am saying, however, that the man has a back injury. His game is in disarray. He tried to gut out a round and couldn’t. He’s arguably the greatest golfer of all time. Doesn’t he deserve a little better than butt jokes?
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s LIV Golf Singapore betting preview: Course specialist ready to thrive once again
After another strong showing in Australia, LIV Golf will head to Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore looking to build off of what was undoubtedly their best event to date.
Sentosa Golf Club sits on the southern tip of Singapore and is one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The course is more than just incredible scenically; it was also rated 55th in Golf Digest’s top-100 courses in 2022-2023 and has been consistently regarded as one of the best courses in Asia. Prior to being part of the LIV rotation, the course hosted the Singapore Open every year since 2005.
Sentosa Golf Club is a par 71 measuring 7,406 yards. The course will require precise ball striking and some length off the tee. It’s possible to go low due to the pristine conditions, but there are also plenty of hazards and difficult spots on the course that can bring double bogey into play in a hurry. The Bermudagrass greens are perfectly manicured, and the course has spent millions on the sub-air system to keep the greens rolling fast. I spoke to Asian Tour player, Travis Smyth, who described the greens as “the best [he’s] ever played.”
Davis Love III, who competed in a Singapore Open in 2019, also gushed over the condition of the golf course.
“I love the greens. They are fabulous,” the 21-time PGA Tour winner said.
Love III also spoke about other aspects of the golf course.
“The greens are great; the fairways are perfect. It is a wonderful course, and it’s tricky off the tee.”
“It’s a long golf course, and you get some long iron shots. It takes somebody hitting it great to hit every green even though they are big.”
As Love III said, the course can be difficult off the tee due to the length of the course and the trouble looming around every corner. It will take a terrific ball striking week to win at Sentosa Golf Club.
In his pre-tournament press conference last season, Phil Mickelson echoed many of the same sentiments.
“To play Sentosa effectively, you’re going to have a lot of shots from 160 to 210, a lot of full 6-, 7-, 8-iron shots, and you need to hit those really well and you need to drive the ball well.”
Golfers who excel from tee to green and can dial in their longer irons will have a massive advantage this week.
Stat Leaders at LIV Golf Adelaide:
Fairways Hit
1.) Louis Oosthuizen
2.) Anirban Lahiri
3.) Jon Rahm
4.) Brendan Steele
5.) Cameron Tringale
Greens in Regulation
1.) Brooks Koepka
2.) Brendan Steele
3.) Dean Burmester
4.) Cameron Tringale
5.) Anirban Lahiri
Birdies Made
1.) Brendan Steele
2.) Dean Burmester
3.) Thomas Pieters
4.) Patrick Reed
5.) Carlos Ortiz
LIV Golf Individual Standings:
1.) Joaquin Niemann
2.) Jon Rahm
3.) Dean Burmester
4.) Louis Oosthuizen
5.) Abraham Ancer
LIV Golf Team Standings:
1.) Crushers
2.) Legion XIII
3.) Torque
4.) Stinger GC
5.) Ripper GC
LIV Golf Singapore Picks
Sergio Garcia +3000 (DraftKings)
Sergio Garcia is no stranger to Sentosa Golf Club. The Spaniard won the Singapore Open in 2018 by five strokes and lost in a playoff at LIV Singapore last year to scorching hot Talor Gooch. Looking at the course setup, it’s no surprise that a player like Sergio has played incredible golf here. He’s long off the tee and is one of the better long iron players in the world when he’s in form. Garcia is also statistically a much better putter on Bermudagrass than he is on other putting surfaces. He’s putt extremely well on Sentosa’s incredibly pure green complexes.
This season, Garcia has two runner-up finishes, both of them being playoff losses. Both El Camaleon and Doral are courses he’s had success at in his career. The Spaniard is a player who plays well at his tracks, and Sentosa is one of them. I believe Sergio will get himself in the mix this week. Hopefully the third time is a charm in Singapore.
Paul Casey +3300 (FanDuel)
Paul Casey is in the midst of one of his best seasons in the five years or so. The results recently have been up and down, but he’s shown that when he’s on a golf course that suits his game, he’s amongst the contenders.
This season, Casey has finishes of T5 (LIV Las Vegas), T2 (LIV Hong Kong), and a 6th at the Singapore Classic on the DP World Tour. At his best, the Englishman is one of the best long iron players in the world, which makes him a strong fit for Sentosa. Despite being in poor form last season, he was able to fire a Sunday 63, which shows he can low here at the course.
It’s been three years since Casey has won a tournament (Omega Dubai Desert Classic in 2021), but he’s been one of the top players on LIV this season and I think he can get it done at some point this season.
Mito Pereira +5000 (Bet365)
Since Mito Pereira’s unfortunate demise at the 2022 PGA Championship, he’s been extremely inconsistent. However, over the past few months, the Chilean has played well on the International Series as well as his most recent LIV start. Mito finished 8th at LIV Adelaide, which was his best LIV finish this season.
Last year, Pereira finished 5th at LIV Singapore, shooting fantastic rounds of 67-66-66. It makes sense why Mito would like Sentosa, as preeminent ball strikers tend to rise to the challenge of the golf course. He’s a great long iron player who is long and straight off the tee.
Mito has some experience playing in Asia and is one of the most talented players on LIV who’s yet to get in the winner’s circle. I have questions about whether or not he can come through once in contention, but if he gets there, I’m happy to roll the dice.
Andy Ogletree +15000 (DraftKings)
Andy Ogletree is a player I expected to have a strong 2024 but struggled early in his first full season on LIV. After failing to crack the top-25 in any LIV event this year, the former U.S. Amateur champion finally figured things out, finished in a tie for 3rd at LIV Adelaide.
Ogletree should be incredible comfortable playing in Singapore. He won the International Series Qatar last year and finished T3 at the International Series Singapore. The 26-year-old was arguably the best player on the Asian Tour in 2023 and has been fantastic in the continent over the past 18 months.
If Ogletree has indeed found form, he looks to be an amazing value at triple-digit odds.
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In Tampa, there is a golf course that boasts carts that do not work, a water range, and a group of players none of which have any chance to break 80. The course is overseen by a staff of crusty men who have succeeded at nothing in life but ending up at the worst-run course in America. However, this place is no failure. With several other local courses going out of business — and boasting outstanding greens — the place is booked full.
While I came for the great greens, I stayed to watch our resident instructor; a poor-tempered, method teacher who caters to the hopeless. At first, it was simply hilarious. However, after months of listening and watching, something clicked. I realized I had a front-row seat to the worst golf instructor in America.
Here are some of my key takeaways.
Method Teacher
It is widely accepted that there are three types of golf instructors: system teachers, non-system teachers, and method teachers. Method teachers prescribe the same antidote for each student based on a preamble which teachers can learn in a couple day certification.
Method teaching allows anyone to be certified. This process caters to the lowest caliber instructor, creating the illusion of competency. This empowers these underqualified instructors with the moniker of “certified” to prey on the innocent and uninformed.
The Cult of Stack and Jilt
The Stack and Tilt website proudly boasts, “A golfer swings his hands inward in the backswing as opposed to straight back to 1) create power, similar to a field goal kicker moving his leg in an arc and 2) to promote a swing that is in-to-out, which produces a draw (and eliminates a slice).”
Now, let me tell you something, there is this law of the universe which says “energy can either be created or destroyed,” so either these guys are defying physics or they have no idea what they are taking about. Further, the idea that the first move of the backswing determines impact is conjecture with a splash of utter fantasy.
These are the pontifications of a method — a set of prescriptions applied to everyone with the hope of some success through the placebo effect. It is one thing for a naive student to believe, for a golf instructor to drink and then dispel this Kool-Aid is malpractice.
Fooled by Randomness
In flipping a coin, or even a March Madness bet, there is a 50-50 chance of success. In golf, especially for new players, results are asymmetric. Simply put: Anything can happen. The problem is that when bad instructors work with high handicappers, each and every shot gets its own diagnosis and prescription. Soon the student is overwhelmed.
Now here’s the sinister thing: The overwhelming information is by design. In this case, the coach is not trying to make you better, they are trying to make you reliant on them for information. A quasi Stockholm syndrome of codependency.
Practice
One of the most important scientists of the 20th century was Ivan Pavlov. As you might recall, he found that animals, including humans, could be conditioned into biological responses. In golf, the idea of practice has made millions of hackers salivate that they are one lesson or practice session from “the secret.”
Sunk Cost
The idea for the worst golf instructor is to create control and dependency so that clients ignore the sunk cost of not getting better. Instead, they are held hostage by the idea that they are one lesson or tip away from unlocking their potential.
Cliches
Cliches have the effect of terminating thoughts. However, they are the weapon of choice for this instructor. Add some hyperbole and students actually get no information. As a result, these players couldn’t play golf. When they did, they had no real scheme. With no idea what they are doing, they would descend into a spiral of no idea what to do, bad results, lower confidence, and running back to the lesson tee from more cliches.
The fact is that poor instruction is about conditioning players to become reliant members of your cult. To take away autonomy. To use practice as a form of control. To sell more golf lessons not by making people better but through the guise that without the teacher, the student can never reach their full potential. All under the umbrella of being “certified” (in a 2-day course!) and a melee of cliches.
This of course is not just happening at my muni but is a systemic problem around the country and around the world, the consequences of which are giving people a great reason to stop playing golf. But hey, at least it’s selling a lot of golf balls…
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The PGA TOUR heads to New Orleans to play the 2023 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. In a welcome change from the usual stroke play, the Zurich Classic is a team event. On Thursday and Saturday, the teams play best ball, and on Friday and Sunday the teams play alternate shot.
TPC Louisiana is a par 72 that measures 7,425 yards. The course features some short par 4s and plenty of water and bunkers, which makes for a lot of exciting risk/reward scenarios for competitors. Pete Dye designed the course in 2004 specifically for the Zurich Classic, although the event didn’t make its debut until 2007 because of Hurricane Katrina.
Coming off of the Masters and a signature event in consecutive weeks, the field this week is a step down, and understandably so. Many of the world’s top players will be using this time to rest after a busy stretch.
However, there are some interesting teams this season with some stars making surprise appearances in the team event. Some notable teams include Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Will Zalatoris and Sahith Theegala as well as a few Canadian teams, Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin and Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners.
Past Winners at TPC Louisiana
- 2023: Riley/Hardy (-30)
- 2022: Cantlay/Schauffele (-29)
- 2021: Leishman/Smith (-20)
- 2019: Palmer/Rahm (-26)
- 2018: Horschel/Piercy (-22)
- 2017: Blixt/Smith (-27)
2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans Picks
Tom Hoge/Maverick McNealy +2500 (DraftKings)
Tom Hoge is coming off of a solid T18 finish at the RBC Heritage and finished T13 at last year’s Zurich Classic alongside Harris English.
This season, Hoge is having one of his best years on Tour in terms of Strokes Gained: Approach. In his last 24 rounds, the only player to top him on the category is Scottie Scheffler. Hoge has been solid on Pete Dye designs, ranking 28th in the field over his past 36 rounds.
McNealy is also having a solid season. He’s finished T6 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T9 at the PLAYERS Championship. He recently started working with world renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, and its seemingly paid dividends in 2024.
Keith Mitchell/Joel Dahmen +4000 (DraftKings)
Keith Mitchell is having a fantastic season, finishing in the top-20 of five of his past seven starts on Tour. Most recently, Mitchell finished T14 at the Valero Texas Open and gained a whopping 6.0 strokes off the tee. He finished 6th at last year’s Zurich Classic.
Joel Dahmen is having a resurgent year and has been dialed in with his irons. He also has a T11 finish at the PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass which is another Pete Dye track. With Mitchell’s length and Dahmen’s ability to put it close with his short irons, the Mitchell/Dahmen combination will be dangerous this week.
Taylor Moore/Matt NeSmith +6500 (DraftKings)
Taylor Moore has quickly developed into one of the more consistent players on Tour. He’s finished in the top-20 in three of his past four starts, including a very impressive showing at The Masters, finishing T20. He’s also finished T4 at this event in consecutive seasons alongside Matt NeSmith.
NeSmith isn’t having a great 2024, but has seemed to elevate his game in this format. He finished T26 at Pete Dye’s TPC Sawgrass, which gives the 30-year-old something to build off of. NeSmith is also a great putter on Bermudagrass, which could help elevate Moore’s ball striking prowess.
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‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
Pierceson Coody WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi 10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi 10 Tour (15 degrees)...
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19th Hole1 week agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole1 week ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole3 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole2 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole2 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
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Jack Nash
Feb 16, 2015 at 4:39 pm
You can put the blame on the tweeting twits from outfits like the Golf Channel and even this site. It’s unbelivable that they don’t understand all the muscle groups involved with the golf swing. Specially the big muscles including the glutes.
Third time's the charm
Feb 12, 2015 at 8:34 am
I rarely comment on here, but so far I have had my “negative” comment about this article deleted twice. How embarrassing for Golfwrx that they won’t allow commenters to question an opinion piece with their own opinion! As a regular reader/fan/proud-golf-nerd that loves this site, I have never considered abandoning it. Until Today. I can understand Zak’s comment that they don’t allow personal attacks on their writers. If a commenter says “Ben’s an idiot,” sure, that’s uncalled for. But if someone says “this is a terrible article” that’s hardly unfair. It’s certainly more of a professional attack than a personal one, especially given that the writer is attacking OTHER WRITERS (and much more accomplished ones I might add) so why can’t we question him? How hypocritical. A lot of commenters are using their love or hate of Tiger Woods as the reason that this article is “ok” or “not ok.” This article’s problem has nothing to do with Tiger Woods. The problem is that the author is attacking other writers and then turning around and using their tweets to generate page clicks (revenue). “Golf as a whole is better off because of Tiger Woods.” See, that’s my OPINION. You are absolutely welcome to disagree with me, but I feel I could win that argument. In this instance, not only do I think the article is completely out of touch with reality, but it manages to be far more inappropriate in its approach than the writers who make butt jokes. Golfwrx would be better served by taking down this article than taking down our comments…but that’s just my opinion.
Brian
Feb 16, 2015 at 4:23 pm
It is part and parcel of the anti-Tiger v. pro-Tiger divide that has existed for years now. For some, you MUST choose a side, stick to that side, and never question anything brought to light, regardless of whether or not it is fact-based.
Instead, you must be a lemming, at least at some websites I’ve participated, following the lead of someone who censors the message. (Not saying here, but elsewhere.) I for one welcome differing points of view AS LONG AS they are fact-based, and delivered in a respectful way.
Brian
Feb 16, 2015 at 4:26 pm
It is what has become of the Tiger debate.
sharp
Feb 10, 2015 at 2:46 pm
I was at the Farmers on Friday and spoke to several other spectators that claimed to overhear players waiting on tee boxes speaking to each other (loudly as though they wanted to be overheard) about how Tiger was knocking out dumbbell squats the day before the round in the exercise facility. “No wonder his back went out” was the quote I was given. They made it sound like he was trying to intimidate the other players.
Yeah it’s a third hand account so take it for what you will, but tell me that doesn’t match up with Tiger’s personality. Based on the way he’s interacted with fans, how he treated his wife, and this is a biggy, the way he was a massive A-list celebrity at a fairly young age, it’s not terribly surprising to me if he’s got a skewed world & self view that have lead him to his current situation.
Let’s be real, can you imagine performing horribly at your mens club tournament and then telling everyone it was because your ass wasn’t working? There’s a screw loose there.
leftright
Feb 8, 2015 at 10:42 am
If I was Tiger I would let my pride and vanity go out the window. The next medication he should take is something for anxiety or depression which he may very well have. He should call Butch Harmon and lay it all on the line and get back to the swing he had between 2000 and 2004. He is way to upright and his swing looks like a 4 handicappers swing. His head moves and he sometimes is up and down while keeping the head in the same position. He is also much quicker from transition than he once was. Like Obama, Tiger think the world is against him but Tiger can be saved, Obama can’t. If he allows time to pass it will but he has to own up to his mistakes.
Jeremy
Feb 10, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Wow, did not see the bizarre political commentary coming there. Way to keep us on our toes!
KK
Feb 7, 2015 at 10:33 pm
What does Tiger deserve for the countless tantrums he’s thrown and foul language he’s used?
R JACKSON
Feb 9, 2015 at 6:41 am
You tread heavily, but you speak the truth.
Ilsompati
Feb 13, 2015 at 12:22 pm
A diaper and box of tissues perhaps???
michael
Feb 7, 2015 at 5:36 pm
woods deserves stugots. he made his bed let him sleep with his harem!
gee finchem there goes your bank account and pay check!
theboef
Feb 7, 2015 at 3:56 pm
Yes he deserves better, he deserves jokes about pulling out, apparently his rate of pulling out is now much higher than it was when he was married!
Everyone should be able to bear the brunt of jokes and biting satire!
Love the shank count on the article by the way
LindyLoulie
Feb 7, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Since everyone seems to have an opinion or theory as to what is causing the collapse of Tiger’s legendary golf game, I contribute my $.02 worth with a few theories of my own. No butt jokes included.
Ever notice that nowadays every time Tiger plays poorly in the first day or two of a tournament he withdraws and sites some physical ailment as his excuse? I believe that his narcissism won’t allow him to take responsibility for his failures, so out come the somatic complaints and excuses. Nobody likes to play poorly, but look at some of the fellas — and gals — who buck-up and take their medicine with the hopes that they can turn it around in the next round. Phil is a perfect example. You don’t see him using his psoriatic arthritis — an autoimmune disease — as an excuse. That is a terrible disease which causes much pain and fatigue. Granted, he takes medication to keep it under control, however there are still side effects from the medication as well as the disease. His biggest “ailment” is his putting! LOL!!
I find it interesting that when Tiger had all those knee problems he managed to win lots of tournaments anyway with the Torrey Pines victory being one of the most spectacular of all. In those days he played some of the most fantastic golf the world has ever seen.
There is no doubt that his talent is phenomenal, and he has one of the strongest work ethics when it comes to honing his skills, however I wonder if his having been able to play so wondrously through all those injuries and pain had anything to do with certain steroids taken to reduce the inflammation thus allowing him to play through all that pain. That stuff makes you feel like you could conquer the world! It gives you great energy and strength and a feeling of well-being like no other. In addition it helps you play though and cope with much of the pain.
I know all about this from personal experience because I have horrible back problems in addition to arthritic hand pain. When I receive steroid injections in my spine to alleviate the inflammation and pain I can go out to the course and play lights-out! Pain?? What pain?!? After the effects of the injections wear off my game goes back to the dumper. 🙁 BTW, I once was the multiple-time women’s club champ at my course. I can no longer compete, but I don’t make excuses. Much to my doctor’s and husband’s chagrin I still play and try to the best of my current abilities. Tiger needs to suck it up, quit whining, and do the same! That is IF his doctor signs him off on it. If the doc doesn’t sign him off then he needs to just forget trying to play and concentrate on rehabbing his back.
Once Tiger’s knee was finally repaired properly and the “medications” were no longer necessary all of a sudden his game and the rest of his life collapsed. Just sayin’… . He dumps his caddy, his coach (Haney) dumps him, his wife dumps him, all of the girlfriends dump ON him, he gets a new coach who makes an analytical player out of one who was once a great, natural “feel” player, the back is ruined, and the game collapses into a state of complete disarray. He finally sees the light about that and dumps yet another coach. Probably the right move, however now what??
Seems like he ought to get his gargantuan narcissistic ego out of the way and go hat-in-hand trundling off to see Butch or Hank again — the ones who coached him to all of his greatest victories. Then for good measure he should try to get his best-ever caddie — the one who stood by him through all his great victories as well as his worst scandals — to take him back!
Finally, Tiger is certainly one of the greatest golfing talents of all time, but he is NOT the “Greatest Golfer Of All Time.” Jack is! Tiger does not deserve that title until he EARNS IT!! BTW, IMHO even if Tiger were to surpass Jack’s record, he might then deserve that title, however he will NEVER be the man that Jack is!
leftright
Feb 8, 2015 at 10:37 am
Great post! You pretty much said it all.
Yoda
Feb 8, 2015 at 10:38 am
you’re a bore. yes, pain is the great equalizer. tiger wasn’t taking anything that most weren’t taking…he was just a better player.
LindyLoulie
Feb 9, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Jon…AMEN!!!!!! It is so refreshing to know that someone besides me sees thru all the excuse-making by Tiger as well as by all who worship their fallen “God.” All the war cries of “YOU DE MAN!!!” by those beer-soaked-baseball hat-turned-backwards fanboys make me want to barf!! I totally agree with what you are saying. The steroids are gone and so is the game. I have always wondered how many tournaments he REALLY would have won if not for… ! I think drug testing on the tour should have been started long ago.
Back in the day it made me sick to watch the media coverage concentrating all their focus on Tiger when there were lots of other guys who were playing some great golf and worked hard grinding it out. It was said that they were all just playing for second place. Baloney!! They were playing their hearts out trying to WIN despite the fact that THE ALMIGHTY was in the field. I hope that same media will wake up and see what other great talent is out there and stop their Tiger-worshipping. I’m thinking that if anybody has a chance of beating Jack’s record it might just be Rory. What a talent!! He plays some pretty damned exciting golf! Seems to be a nice guy too. No temper tantrums, no snotty attitude, and friendly to all who greet him.
Tiger is a self-indulgent, narcissistic, highly talented, parents’-only-child, spoiled brat who has been forgiven for his bad behavior both on-course and off by his worshipping fans and media because of his immense talent. Because of this he thinks he is entitled to do whatever he wants with whomever he wants whenever he wants. And now his chickens are coming home to roost.
As one who knows all about back problems from first hand experience I can tell you that you are right, Jon. When the back is killing you it is impossible to swing out of your shoes. Period. You simply can’t make the big turn and rip it. That is why I have lost 50 yards. And BTW, my butt doesn’t refuse to cooperate. My legs go into severe spasm (charley horses), so Tiger’s glute excuse doesn’t pass the smell test. And no, that is not another butt joke!
Bottom line (no butt joke there, really!) is that without the drugs Tiger has lost his mighty game. The best way to excuse this while at the same time garnering pity from one’s adoring fans — including the always-admiring press — is to claim injury. The loss of Tiger’s game has led him down that rabbit hole of analysis paralysis. We all know what that does to one’s game!
Oh, and I almost forgot… there was the part about abandoning his beloved Scotty Cameron Newport II putter in favor of that Nike flat stick. His putting has never been the same since. Can anyone tell me why he did that? I have heard that Nike demanded he use ALL of their gear. True?? Or are his putting woes just one more part of his giant case of the yips that have worked their way throughout his entire bag?
Tiger, use all that immense talent you have, be humble (yes, I know that is very difficult if not impossible for you), and go see Butch. Dump your giant ego, make amends, work hard and get your game back on track. You do that and even I will cheer you on! And while you’re at it dump the Nike putter, drag that SC Newport out of the closet and get that putting “magic” back!
Tom Smith
Feb 7, 2015 at 12:55 pm
Am I the only one who thinks Tiger was brilliant in stacking one euphemism on the back of another to explain his inability to motivate himself properly? The euphemism bearing the burden of the latest one has something to do with getting your beast of burden out of “PARK” and into “DRIVE”
Al
Feb 7, 2015 at 9:03 am
The talentless are easily amused.
Cwolf
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:54 pm
The jokes are almost as bad as the article
gvogel
Feb 6, 2015 at 8:15 pm
As usual, tiger brings the jokes on himself. He could have just said that his back muscles tightened up, and he was experiencing some pain.
But the more he tries to put a positive spin on it, the worse it smells. Get Steiny in the act, and it plain out stinks.
If he were really that guy in the lovely family photo album with Elin and the kids that he put out many years ago, there wouldn’t be anything to joke about.
Sorry Ben; I’m old enough to have better role models and heroes.
gerald
Feb 16, 2015 at 6:02 pm
You said it perfectly.
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Milton
Feb 6, 2015 at 4:37 pm
You are right. We should be making fire hydrant jokes, and wondering what club Elin used to knock his teeth out.
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VS
Feb 6, 2015 at 3:52 pm
A few more withdrawals and nobody will care anymore.
dwntnbrown
Feb 12, 2015 at 9:14 pm
nobody cares now. he is done stick a fork in him
Tomterrific
Feb 6, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Good article Ben, I’m glad somebody has the balls to defend Tiger. Nick Faldo gleefully mocks Tiger and giggles about his problems, I can’t watch Sir Hick anymore. People jump on this anti-Tiger vendetta to feel good about themselves, now we know where bullies come from. How about a little respect for a man who is injured, but was and hopefully will be again the greatest golfer of all time.
Philip
Feb 6, 2015 at 5:28 pm
How could someone be the greatest golfer of all time and then not? He either is or isn’t. His current situation have no relevance. Of course, I do think he is the 2nd greatest golfer in the last 50 years, being 2nd or less in wins (majors, PGA Tour, Euro Tour, World wide). Although, I believe his winning percentage is impressive and his run in his twenties is something else.
Not Tiger
Feb 11, 2015 at 8:54 pm
Why defend Tiger? His poor bs excuses are pathetic. My butt doesn’t work right, my patterns are off. Be a man, take ownership of your mistakes and control of your arrogance. Jack will always be the best, not just for the majors but for being a great man and a gracious winner or loser. Jack was smart enough to know you don’t keep changing your swing either. Tiger gets worse with each change. One more and he will be a 14 Hncp.
farmer
Feb 6, 2015 at 3:10 pm
How could there not be butt jokes? Seriously, is the only way Tiger can play is with four days of good weather, no awkward stances, and no delays that cause his glutes to go dead? I accept that he has a medical condition, but he has clearly not been ready to play since the surgery.
Ilsompati
Feb 13, 2015 at 12:29 pm
I agree, mental problems are medical conditions. Keeping those problems and not resolving them borders insanity.
Tom
Feb 6, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Tiger deserves nothing from anyone and the “best golfer every” moniker is ridiculous. Nicklaus is that man… Woods is chasing Jack, not the reverse. Watching his short game over the last few months shows this has nothing to do with his back. He’s just not practicing at all and it shows. He’s gone from a top pro to a 11 handicap. He just needs to go to the short game facility at his home course (or his home) and spend 8 to 10 hours a day. And all this talk about “release pattern” is just stupid. Grow a pair tiger…
Lesson guy
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Somebody send Tom’s contact info to Tiger. Tom’s got it figured out.
Shallowface
Feb 7, 2015 at 10:37 am
There are a lot of people who have it figured out. The fact that Tiger can’t figure it out, won’t listen to those who could help, and thought the answer was to try to find the Haney swing again (which was successful only because of the short game and nothing else and looks like a guy trying to hook the ball around the house from the front yard to the back yard) completely kills the idea that he’s the smartest golfer of all time.
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Cons
Feb 6, 2015 at 1:11 pm
Ben,
Personally, I found these comments to be a touch more purple than sophomoric.
..Adjectives.. you know?
Jus’ sayin,
Cons
Crabgrass
Feb 6, 2015 at 1:01 pm
molehill -> BA -> mountain
Must be a slow day monitoring twitter.
I H8
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:56 pm
If by entertain you mean poke the bear (that was, itself, poking another bear). And by inform you mean give an opinion. Yeah….sure.
I H8
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Gotta agree.
I H8
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Ok, the jokes were lame. So? The golf media has been dining out on Tiger Woods for the last 2 decades; how is this any different? All the golf media talks about is Tiger Woods. Like Billy Horschel said, anyone not named Tiger Woods is chopped liver.
Dlygrisse
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:50 pm
I am sure what Tiger said is a term his personal trainer uses when helping him, but it sure did come across funny.
Butt jokes are funny. Beavis?
CD
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:38 pm
A lighten up
B lighten up
C he surely would be thinking ‘doh! Walked into that one!’
D you say ‘deserve’ – no one owes Woods anything. He deserves respect for his golf by virtue of not making jokes?!?!? And in the alternative? If I refrain from making a back side joke then by the same logic he deserves comments re: cheating on his wife and family
E Most top sports stars avoid blaming injury – even if they are injured for obvious reasons. You blame injury… only a fool wouldn’t anticipate people questioning your motives
F he talked in some bizarre language like he is some champion athlete who desperately wants what he is good at to be a serious athletic endeavour: ‘activation’ ‘glutes’ like ‘reps’. You’re not benching 150kg. You’re not boxing. You’re not driving an F1 car.
Chase Komaromi
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:34 pm
If you can’t respect Tiger as a person that’s understandable.. But if you can’t respect him as a golfer, you aren’t a true golf fan. The guy has shown numerous times how good he can play. Give him a break as far as the injuries go. Everyone has to remember that he is constantly under the media microscope so anything he says/does is all over the news. Nothing like an average professional golfer or athlete. At times you have to feel bad for the guy considering he never even had the chance to lead a normal life, with that talent he was bound to be special.. But with all that talent and fame comes a lot of responsibility that probably no human being could ever handle. Not a huge Tiger fan but the game is much more enjoyable to watch when he’s playing well..
Keith Cook
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Zak, as a fellow golf writer and editor for a website, I appreciate your defense of Ben and what you feel is out of place. However, within the article itself, words like “idiocy” and “sophomoric” are used – directly – and specifically at fellow golf writers. In fact, within the criticism itself, the article uses cut/paste twitter examples (with the writer’s names given) as examples, which degrades the author’s credibility during the piece.
Again, I appreciate the defense, but just as much could be gained by helping Ben out in understanding his article is an example of exactly what he’s bringing to light (being critical of someone by being critical). The criticism and remarks of the article are spot on as elitist and condescending. I don’t mind writers sometimes being purposefully provocative (it’s good for business), but this is a poorly crafted vent – at best.
For the article’s point of whether Tiger is above it all from criticism, the answer is no. In fact, there is no way “I tried to activate my glutes” doesn’t make its way into golf speak all over the world. It’s right up there with “I’m just here so I don’t get fined” in the so far awesome quotes of 2015. Now, I could say more about this, but I couldn’t activate my texting thumb glutes. You see, I took a break between paragraphs and my texting thumb glutes deactivated and I couldn’t reactivate them. I must WD myself at this point. (see that’s funny!)
Keith Cook
Merty Huckle
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Keith Cook nailed it. This article is tabloid trash.
DHaab
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Actually, he did 1 of those 3. And he did that 1 thing very poorly.
Richard
Feb 6, 2015 at 11:30 am
Tiger is one of the best, if not the best golfers in the history of the game and i think he has been really really great for golf. It’s sad that so many people are haters and gladly make negative comments. It’s sad that his extremely successful career should end to soon because of all his injuries. I really hope he will recover.
Lance Kulman
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:59 am
I am becoming more and more frustrated with the media especially the so-called “experts” who write for Golf Digest, Golf, Golf World and others. These individuals think it is OK to “kick” a guy when he is down. Wake up! It’s not!! Tiger was gracious enough to grant an interview to a pack of reports and camera people while in the parking lot, all while enjoying immense pain and trying to gracefully leave to get the back and legs looked at. When asked to step away one of officers finally had to step in and tell the reporters to move back. The media is giving itself a black eye with sensationalism, speculation and outright fabrication just to make a buck at the expense of one of the greatist golfers to ever play the game. Gentlemen and Ladies, if it weren’t for Tiger these great purses would not be available, the PGA would not be so successful and these great young golfers you are seeing coming up wouldn’t be able to make a suitable living playing a great game. So before you condescend and berate any person, not just Tiger, take a second and use some compassion and insight in your reporting.
west
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:56 am
He does deserve “more,” but(t) he also needs to be able to laugh at himself. Talking about “glute loading” as a serious subject can come from only one man. However, if Tiger/the media doesn’t realize how funny this sounds to the common man…they need to lighten up some.
Shawshakeredemp
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:53 am
I watch the jokes come from fans, critics, analyst and wondered why? I don’t believe it’s fair! And it makes me wonder aloud if he were white would this be going on!! We are talking about probably the greatest golfer ever and the man soley responsible for the golf purses today!! Is the any respect in this so called “Gentlemens game” if someone for Tiger! I guess when he some day is gone! The roses will come!! Shame!!
mizzy
Feb 6, 2015 at 11:04 am
Al Sharpton, it has nothing to do with race, it has to do with the guy alienating people and putting himself on a pedastal.
When you are an a**hat to members of the media, other golfers, valets, etc you are going to get a verbal beatdown when you fail.
Side note: Didn’t Tiger play the ’08 us open on one knee?
Scott
Feb 6, 2015 at 11:47 am
mizzy – 100% correct. The chicken have come home to roost for Mr. Woods.
AllBOdoesisgolf
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:52 am
short answer… no
Regis
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:46 am
Tiger has never shown any class or compassion to anyone in his meteoric rise. Starting with Fuzzy Zoeller. There are a number of “old sayings”. Most germane for the moment “Be careful how you treat people in the way up ……….
Tiger Woods Glutes
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:44 am
This article’s headline was edited! It’s still lame. Jokes are jokes. How is this front page?
Bruce
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:40 am
Tiger Woods takes MILLIONS in endorsement payments from golf consumers EVERY year – injured or not. After all, Nike and others must charge consumers to pay Tiger.
Now, what does Tiger give back: “respect my privacy” and similar statements when asked simple questions. Apparently, in Tiger’s eyes, the consumers paying him are unworthy of a word from royalty like him.
Jokes we see now are simply the consumer public returning Tiger’s poor additude.
Ron
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:29 am
Enoug already! If the media would leave it alone, it would bey nice. Therear other golfers at Torrey Pines. The entire golf world doesn’t go away becase Tiger pulls out of a tournament.
Golf Channel had over 30 minutes of “discussion” on his “pull-out”. Who cares? Move on!
Chris
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:27 am
Why does he deserve better than Phil, Ricky, or even P.Reed? Jokes have been made about all three but as soon as it’s all-precious Tiger at the butt end (pun intended), then it’s a problem?! Give me a break. He is the one who deserves the most ridicule, he and King James – both of which cry and whine at the slightest bit of pain only to make a “comeback” seem that much more heroic. Now can we talk about DJ please and move on?
Rob Manwiller
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:16 am
When a PGA golfer engages in the kind of countless extra-marital acts Tiger has, putting his family through torment and anguish, also embarrassing his golfing cohorts, I personally have no sympathy for the man, and he should receive all the wrath that’s due him. He most likely still dates some of the same bimbos. Did he repent? Most likely not. The Lord works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he? I think his own head holds the problem and the issues.
NR
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:34 am
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John 8:8
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1
The Lord also left us some guidance. Just a thought.
Wyzen Hymer
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:24 pm
I’ve often wondered, aren’t those who condemn people for condemning someone else … guilty of the same thing?
BTW… Mr. Alberstadt … I think you’d feel better if you’d just lighten up. Face it, Dave Kindred’s comment was humorous. Besides, the jokes are about Tiger… why is YOUR nose out of joint? I’m no sociologist, but it certainly seems that those who cannot take a depreciating joke tend to invite more – and even harsher jokes the next time. On Tiger’s behalf, you may want to Grin and “Golden Bear” it. Seriously, they called Nicklaus – “Fat Jack” – and he didn’t like it, but he didn’t drop a litter of kittens. He just went out and consistently beat many of the “best golfers of all time” (Arnold, Gary, Lee, Tom, etc) and became “arguably the greatest golfer of all time.” .
Sticks and stones and all that Mr. Alberstadt…
RobG
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:15 am
I have the same lower back problems. I know what its like to have my lower back and glutes give out mid-round and lose all the strength in my legs. Its tough, so I won’t criticize, but I think people need to lighten up a bit…. There’s never a bad time for a good butt joke!
Professor
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:14 am
Haters gonna hate!
ron
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:50 am
and aint-ers, gonna aint
BOBBY D
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:13 am
WHO REALLY CARES…TIGER IS ONE LIE AFTER ANOTHER,”GLUTES DIDN’T BREAK DOWN AFTER THE BIRDIE…THEN CAME THE DOUBLE,TIME TO GO…THE GAME IS BETTER WITHOUT YOU,A CHEAT,A LIER AND A FRAUD!!!
AJ Jensen
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:09 am
I think it’s disgraceful the way people are bashing Tiger. The man revolutionized the sport of golf. He got people into golf who’d never have been interested in golf. He made golf matter again, and believe me that’s important. Tiger is a great golfer by any metric or standard. The kids Tiger influenced will be coming of age soon, and who knows what’s possible… who knows what miracles we’ll see on tour, that might never have happened if not for Tiger Woods.
James
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:08 am
Well, the media make such a hype about Tiger, Tiger tracker, tiger this Tiger That, everyone then wait to see the big return, changing his chipping swing, bla bla bla, his game has become as complicated as the words he use, his gluts dit not want to fire up. Please help us, if any other player struggles we don’t see them on the broadcast , we want to watch golf not the Tiger drame soap opera
Robert
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:08 am
When the quantity of Tiger butt jokes reaches one-tenth of the number of Mickelson “moobs” jokes, then I’ll stop laughing and attempt to take your request seriously.
P Grant
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:07 am
Tigers game will never improve until he gets back to a wining lifestyle…….Prostitutes, partying, and cheating and lying to those who care about him. Its a proven success formula and anything less shows the truth about his struggles.
juststeve
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:06 am
Tiger chose to make himself a public figure, went out of his way to do it. He has profited greatly from his status as a public figure. Now he shouldn’t be heard to complain because as a public figure he gets negative comments along with the worshipful ones.
Steve
Joe
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:03 am
The tiger bashing is not funny anymore. Kicking a person when they are down seldom is, especially when they have BEEN down for quite a while.
Regis
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:50 am
Yeah. Ask Fuzzy
Daniel
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:43 am
Ben, you’re the worst. I almost commented after the “10 things not to do at a golf tournament” article but refrained. So here it goes. LIGHTEN UP….you are the type of person that dissuades people from taking interest in golf because of the way you portray the game. Get your nose out of the air, and stop taking yourself so seriously…..because nobody else does.
Zak Kozuchowski
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:46 am
Daniel,
There’s a difference between disagreeing with what a writer says and personally attacking him or her. We do not tolerate personal attacks of writers in our comments section, and this is comment is awful close to crossing that line.
Please clean it up, guys.
John
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:10 am
Wow! I don’t see anything personal about Daniel’s reply. He’s commenting on Ben’s commentary. Is this not a public forum? Watch out, or the board Nazi’s will ban you and delete your posts if you don’t agree with them.
C’mon, is Tiger to be held on such a pedestal that no one can criticize the man for what he says or have a little fun at his expense. We were all laughing around the office this morning with that comment too. “Couldn’t get my glutes to activate?” Really? Is Tiger that familiar with the anatomy of the human body that he knows where his back pain originates from? I think not. How about just saying that his back is hurting so much so that he can’t continue.
Best golfer of all time? Debatable. Certainly a dominant force, the likes of which have not been seen in quite some time. His activities off the golf course speak more about him than the scores he posts and titles he has won.
RPK
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:18 am
Well said …
Jim
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:27 am
Butt, it’s perfectly fine for your writer to attack the writers who made comments about Tiger’s problem? Double standard my friend. You ALL need to get your nose out of the sky.
Dave L
Feb 6, 2015 at 10:10 am
Daniel you should take a look at yourself before passing judgement. You almost commented on a article before, thank you so much from refraining, you’re a model of self righteousness. The man is just tryin to give you another side of the story on a man thats not even 12 months removed from major back surgery.
JB
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:42 am
Lighten up and have a sense of humor.
aldan777
Feb 6, 2015 at 9:35 am
Where does golf go without Mr.Woods . I think Golf is on the decline in popularity ,hope not well see in 2 yrs and lets talk about some real issue in golf. Price tags on these golf club $$$$$.outrages. No wounder it declining .
Colin Gillbanks
Feb 6, 2015 at 8:50 am
Jeez. Lighten up.
David
Feb 6, 2015 at 6:14 am
Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer of all time. Please, get that right at least.
Joe Golfer
Feb 6, 2015 at 1:59 am
I see that GolfWRX has a new feature this year where readers can rate the article by clicking an icon at bottom of article.
It is called “Your Reaction?”
One of those listed is IDHT.
I had to Google it to find out what it means.
Two meanings listed that could possibly fit:
1. I Definitely Hear That
2. I Don’t Have Time
So GolfWRX, which one is it?
Nathan
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:04 am
Ahh No! Tiger gives but jokes, tiger gets but jokes. Simple! I think he is over it completely, I mean c’mon its tiger woods!!. If tiger wants to play tiger will play, if tiger wants to win tuger will win. It’s just that Simple!
Ken
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:49 pm
All I know is that my year is off to a better start than those of Tiger, Brian Williams, or Radio Shack.
anon
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:41 pm
We shouldn’t make Tiger butt jokes? What an asinine thing to write.
BD57
Feb 5, 2015 at 11:37 pm
I see what you did there …. 😉
Nicebob
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:36 pm
Horrific foot in mouth by the author. Doesn’t like the sophomoric butt jokes yet he reprints them as click bait for WRX hits. SERIOUSLY HYPOCRITICAL!
Josh
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:33 pm
For the most part those that report the news do it tactfully…. Then there are those that make the others look like the scum of the earth, these are the ones who were picked last in gym class and vent there inadequecies online. The funny thing is what Tiger is saying actually makes sense, until you have had back problems you won’t understand the “glute” statement..
Tom Duckworth
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:22 pm
I wish him well I hope he gets over this and gets back to finish out on a good note this year.
For all his short comings he made himself into a great golfer that thrilled us. I’m not his biggest fan but I don’t enjoy seeing him kicked when he’s down. No one deserves that.
anon
Feb 6, 2015 at 7:35 am
A guy who cheats on his wife with multiple women deserves it.
chad ryan
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:16 pm
We would all respect him if he just finished a round. 75% of people don’t think he’s really hurt. he only WD’s when he plays bad. He looks like a golfer with zero confidence. He looks like a golfer with swing flaws (two way miss) and MOST OF ALL he looks like a golfer that hasn’t practiced much. I and half the guys on this forum probably deal with back pain. I have a displaced disc in my lower back and i still play every weekend. NEVER notice it DURING the round but i’m stiff as Rex Ryan in a shoe store the next morning.
Brian
Feb 6, 2015 at 7:26 am
Hear that! I have two herniated discs from the Marine Corps 11 years ago(!) but I still play to the best of my ability as often as possible.
Not saying I’m a better man than Tiger. I can’t believe people trying to ASSassinate Tiger’s character though.
Philip
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:48 pm
But how could he go a few practice rounds without concern, but when the pressure starts, he walks?
I know swing changes affect the short game, but 5-15 minutes of focus and one can get enough of a short game to survive a round. Pain is pain, when the back hurts is stays hurt … so again, how come only during tournament rounds? Why not during the thousands of chips, and the long hours of bent over a putting green? When my back is hurting I can forget about sitting, standing, resting, driving a car, golf – like right!
Something just doesn’t add up. Unless if he is taking so many pain killers that he is flying during practice, which is why he is always optimistic, but for actual tournament golf he has no choice but to stop the drugs and it is just a question of how long till he cannot play. Maybe in the past he could go 4 rounds, but each time now it is getting shorter and shorter.
Oh well, back to golf – counting down till spring!
DB
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Ben, you fancy yourself a reporter, right? So can we assume you’ve never taken a jab at anyone, anytime, for any reason? Just because you’re a Tiger fan does’t mean everyone else is, nor should they be required to show restraint when he pulls this crap. The title you’ve bestowed upon him as “arguably the greatest golfer of all time” is being argued loud and clear. If he wants to even remain in the conversation about that title he should just retire now, he’s only making it worse the longer he goes on like this. The problem with a lie, is that you have to keep telling it forever… lies to his wife, lies to his sponsors, lies to the media about numerous things such as injuries and swing changes and coach changes and mentors dying, all that supposedly effect his game… heck, he even lied about how his tooth got knocked out. We’d all have more respect if he just said he wasn’t feeling it and was withdrew without all the silly excuses.
Straightdriver235
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:47 pm
Thou shalt not insult the prophet, or he will be avenged. Charlie Hebdo… no, it’s Tiger Woods!!!!
heinket
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:39 pm
I’ve had (4) back/neck fusions in the past 6 years. I know back pain very, very well!! The one thing that aggregated my back the most was driving a car. Tiger got in his car, rotated his back to the right to look over his right shoulder, and then proceeded to back up and drive away. If his back hurt him that much, he would have been unable to do that. Period.
Philip
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:52 pm
When I just had whiplash from a car accident, turning my head was like sticking knives in my back. I do not want to imagine more serious back injuries.
Hicks
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:32 pm
How big of a fanboy tenderfoot must Alberstadt be to write this garbage? Do us all a favor and don’t put an article out for a WHILE.
mo
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:26 pm
Should’ve just said he had back spasms.
ANOTHER JEFF
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:17 pm
Have we forgotten what Haney said in his book? Those with close contact with Tiger say he has all these mysterious injuries. Remember, Stevie rolling eyes as Tiger describes the injury du jour? I think more and more I see Hanks tell all, whether it should have been written or not, as a pretty factual depiction of what is going on on Jupiter Island. The guy can play on a broken leg when he’s hitting it well. When his game is off……. I think a hang nail would suffice as an injury worthy of withdrawing.
Large chris
Feb 6, 2015 at 4:46 am
Agree with this…. And probably an element of psychosomosis – trying to convince himself he is injured, to save his ego.
Apart from the driving a car comment, he was also sitting beside fowler waiting for a hole to clear, rather than doing any stretching or getting some treatment. I thought for a long long time that Tiger could make a great comeback, but now I just don’t see the desire to do the practice necessary.
Joe
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:06 pm
A man who cheated on his wife and kids as well as being rude with the media and fans in the past and present (until his recent attempts to be a nice guy) deserves all the ridicule that comes his way. As the old saying goes, ‘You reap what you sow’. I for one will never have any sympathy for him.
Robeli
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:24 pm
Amen
Rich
Feb 6, 2015 at 6:26 am
Amen +1
RG
Feb 5, 2015 at 8:59 pm
I’m just amazed that he works out and he’s fine, he plays practice rounds and he’s fine, but every time he shows up for a tournament and hits it sideways he’ can barely walk. It’s not his back it’s his brain.
Philip
Feb 5, 2015 at 9:36 pm
That is the interesting thing in all this …
Double Mocha Man
Feb 5, 2015 at 8:56 pm
I’m not a Tiger fan but he showed great restraint with 12 cameras in his face in the parking lot… and it was fun to see that he drives his car himself.
Harley
Feb 5, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Yea you are way better person for only ridiculing these guys for ridiculing Tiger. Pat yourself on the back for a well written piece of….