Tiger Woods

[WakeUpEchoes]

Is my favorite golfer of all time. I don't care about his off-field stuff and never did. I really don't. I get that he can be a prick, and I understand that he probably has "demons." Whatever. He is the reason that I picked up a golf club, and he is "mostly" the reason I will watch every golf shot on Sunday and listen to Gary McCord ramble on about god knows what (worst announcer in golf, IMO). I actually think the '09 debacle helps him a bit, in that he knows he is not God, and that he needed to cherish developing his children and being a good father.

I really think Tiger has a great year and wins at least one major. His swing looks good; I think finally the new reformation of his swing is becoming natural, and he still has his go to stinger that works every time. No matter what, I will root for Tiger to win on Sundays and to beat Jack's record.

Tiger and ND have a lot of similarities. They are both polarizing; either you love them or you hate them, and you will either pull for them no matter what, or hate them until they crumble to the ashes. And when your rolling, the media loves you. When your down, you are crucified.

 

[phork]

I just don't get why you would get married being a young attractive man with very deep pockets. And then proceed to tap anything that moved.

 

[ohara831]

Love watching Tiger play. He is golf right now. He does not just move the needle. Tiger is the needle.

 

[ND NYC]

i'm indifferent about Tiger:
when he is in the lead i root for someone to catch him
when hes behind i root for him to catch the leader.

i guess im only interested in watching him if he is making the tournamaent he is in more exciting to watch

 

[tko]

I absolutely love when Tiger is winning and dominating on guys. I'm not crazy about his off the field shenanigans but whatever. I guess Lindsey Vonn is now in the picture. One can see why there's a little skip in his step to begin this season!

 

[NDBoiler]

I love watching him play too. It was very disappointing to hear about the drama in his personal life, and it made me look at him differently. But like he and Elin, we as fans need to get past that at some point and move on with life. It had nothing to do with the game of golf, unlike countless other athletes who commit crimes or violate the rules of their sports' governance.

On the flip side, I am considerably tired with his on the course tantrums and arrogance that comes through sometimes. I don't think there is anyone else in the history of the sport who acts this way as consistently as he does despite his reliance on "his Buddhism" that should be keeping him a little calmer. The bottom line is, he is just an arrogant person who also happens to be the greatest golfer ever. I only wish he was a somewhat nice guy too.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I absolutely love when Tiger is winning and dominating on guys. I'm not crazy about his off the field shenanigans but whatever. I guess Lindsey Vonn is now in the picture. One can see why there's a little skip in his step to begin this season!

Haha true. There are rumors he proposed to Elin on X-mas, and a contract is in the works for a $200 million pre-nup and a $350 million anti-cheating clause.

I don't get why he would do that. But something, besides his swing, is helping him get back to his old form. I honestly think the off-course stuff helped him. Made him realize he isn't God, and needed to stop being a moron.

I have no personal connection with adultery, so maybe someone that does feels more strongly about the situation. It just never affected me rooting for him.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Eh.....I have moved on. Tiger will still be the man when it comes to money, tv ratings, etc. But Rory is the man on the course now.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Eh.....I have moved on. Tiger will still be the man when it comes to money, tv ratings, etc. But Rory is the man on the course now.

We'll have to see about that. I still think Tiger brings the crowds/intimidation. I think Rory has the raw talent to accomplish whatever he wants on the course - I just question whether he has the mental toughness.

He's young, and again has crazy potential. I just don't see him going on a run like Tiger did when he was 21-28.

But I guess they are boys now, so it kind of takes away from the rivalry so to speak.

 

[tadman95]

Anybody think the greats thru the years, men on the road, in country club settings with lots of rich women didn't have their dalliances?

One of the other most popular players on the tour (not named Tiger) has only recently toned down or better hidden his antics.

That said, Tiger can play and has made a lot of people rich/er. I remember when Nicklaus won $260,000 in a year. He was making $66 per stroke, it was incredible. Now that's a 5th place finish in one tournament. Tiger didn't do all of that by himself but he is the major contributor.

Lee Trevino is my all time favorite for a lot of reasons. Wish he was more active in golf now.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

I just don't get why you would get married being a young attractive man with very deep pockets. And then proceed to tap anything that moved.

I think he wanted kids.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Anybody think the greats thru the years, men on the road, in country club settings with lots of rich women didn't have their dalliances?

One of the most popular players on the tour has only recently toned down or better hidden his antics.

That said, Tiger can play and has made a lot of people rich/er. I remember when Nicklaus won $260,000 in a year. He was making $66 per stroke, it was incredible. Now that's a 5th place finish in one tournament. Tiger didn't do all of that by himself but he is the major contributor.

Lee Trevino is my all time favorite for a lot of reasons. Wish he was more active in golf now.

Lee is known for hitting the most unique shots of all time on tour. Love Lee Trevino.

I saw his interview on Feherty w/ Butch Harmon the other day. Great to hear them talk about the old days.

 

[gkIrish]

I think I've made this comment on IE before but I have rooted harder for Tiger since the scandal than before. He is the only athlete that makes me not care about his off-field issues because he is so fun to watch.

 

[irishff1014]

Tiger is awesome to watch on the course. Like the shot out of the bunker Monday one foot inthe bunker and one out showed the old tiger. There was many shot this last weekend that showed the old Tiger. Now i want to see that week in and week out.

The only reason his personal life even made the news is cause he is worth so much money. I was watching a show the other night at work and the said that cheating was 45 % of the cause for divorce. It was by far the top reason. So it is happening he just got caught. I don't support that due to the respect i have for my wife but i won't hate him for it either. If it was my family of course i would be mad. I had a very good friend get divorced for this and i told him i was mad at him and disappointed in him for his actions. But he is a good friend and i stuck by him.

Not to mention Nike golf like Tiger A LOT!!!

 

[phork]

I think he wanted kids.

So if you are having kids and still planning to mess around, and all indications are he was never going to dump his blackbook, why get married? You can have kids without being married.

 

[irishtrain]

Is my favorite golfer of all time. I don't care about his off-field stuff and never did. I really don't. I get that he can be a prick, and I understand that he probably has "demons." Whatever. He is the reason that I picked up a golf club, and he is "mostly" the reason I will watch every golf shot on Sunday and listen to Gary McCord ramble on about god knows what (worst announcer in golf, IMO). I actually think the '09 debacle helps him a bit, in that he knows he is not God, and that he needed to cherish developing his children and being a good father.

I really think Tiger has a great year and wins at least one major. His swing looks good; I think finally the new reformation of his swing is becoming natural, and he still has his go to stinger that works every time. No matter what, I will root for Tiger to win on Sundays and to beat Jack's record.

Tiger and ND have a lot of similarities. They are both polarizing; either you love them or you hate them, and you will either pull for them no matter what, or hate them until they crumble to the ashes. And when your rolling, the media loves you. When your down, you are crucified.

Couldnt agree more and even my 83 year old (church going) mother loves to watch this guy play golf. This guy is the best of all time in my opinion and I saw Jack play in person as a boy. I think he has become a better person thru his illustrious off course mistakes/sins etc. As you said he is the reason I watch and take my 10 handicap to the course. I do not talk about the sins of another man with the rock that is in my own eye. Go get that major record.

 

[irishtrain]

Eh.....I have moved on. Tiger will still be the man when it comes to money, tv ratings, etc. But Rory is the man on the course now.

I'll lay odds that over the next 5 years Rory does not get out of Tigers shadow. After that age will take over against Woods. Rory is no Tiger Woods. If you think this kid is better than Woods you dont want Tiger to succeed because of his off course transgressions. Its like saying Notre Dame cant beat a quality sec team-its just not true. Tiger Woods is a better golfer than this kid is right now.

 

[irishtrain]

To the point of his expressions of anger two comments-first you obviously dont play golf in a competitive way or your would understand-they all blow up and he just gets more attention as the camera wont let him go. Secondly he has changed that and has guarded his appearance better than most now. The guy is aware that the camera is following him just waiting for the outburst. Keep the camera on the other guys and you see the same thing. They're apologizing for other guys also. Double Standard- and Tiger is aware that he must change and he has. He knows he's the face of golf and has toned it down. Its like showing you drop the f bomb when you hurt yourself in the garage and its put on sportscenter-big friggin deal. Lastly you pick a golfer to keep you from losing you house on a bet (not that we would)-you can have Rory I'll take Tiger.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

So if you are having kids and still planning to mess around, and all indications are he was never going to dump his blackbook, why get married? You can have kids without being married.

IMO - I think he wanted Elin to be the mother and she wouldn't have kids without getting married first. I have no evidence to back this up, just my opinion.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

I'll lay odds that over the next 5 years Rory does not get out of Tigers shadow. After that age will take over against Woods. Rory is no Tiger Woods. If you think this kid is better than Woods you dont want Tiger to succeed because of his off course transgressions. Its like saying Notre Dame cant beat a quality sec team-its just not true. Tiger Woods is a better golfer than this kid is right now.

I'm a huge TW fan, but what are you basing this on? If you want to look at the last couple of years, Rory has been better than TW.

Rory has 5 wins since 2011 (2 of which were majors and had a margin of victory of 8 strokes in each) and is currently number 1 in the world.

Tiger has 5 wins in the same time span (0 majors) and is currently number 2 in the world.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I'll lay odds that over the next 5 years Rory does not get out of Tigers shadow. After that age will take over against Woods. Rory is no Tiger Woods. If you think this kid is better than Woods you dont want Tiger to succeed because of his off course transgressions. Its like saying Notre Dame cant beat a quality sec team-its just not true. Tiger Woods is a better golfer than this kid is right now.

No one will every win as much as Tiger did early on, and he's only 36. Tiger has won 75 tournaments, while playing in 280 PGA tour events as a professional - that is PUSHING A 27% WINNING PERCENTAGE.

I think the closest ever to that is Jack, somewhere around 9%. Absolutely unbelievable. For me, when I think Sundays in the summer, I think watching Tiger. It's just what I do.

And GK, I agree, I pulled for him more after the Elin thing. I would stay up and watch his tournaments overseas right when he came back (post Masters/Players injury in 2010) til like 4 am.

 

[ND NYC]

didn't our pal rick reilly write a book on him couple years ago? (or was it one ofhis coaches-keuhne?)
said he didnt EVER, EVER TIP anyone anywhere he went if i remember correctly.
not a waiter in a restaurant, not a bellhop, not a maid. no one.

if true, i just cant/wont be able to ever pull for the guy or become a supporter of him.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

didn't our pal rick reilly write a book on him couple years ago? (or was it one ofhis coaches-keuhne?)
said he didnt EVER, EVER TIP anyone anywhere he went if i remember correctly.
not a waiter in a restaurant, not a bellhop, not a maid. no one.

if true, i just cant/wont be able to ever pull for the guy or become a supporter of him.

Maybe TW's favorite movie is Reservoir Dogs?

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

didn't our pal rick reilly write a book on him couple years ago? (or was it one ofhis coaches-keuhne?)
said he didnt EVER, EVER TIP anyone anywhere he went if i remember correctly.
not a waiter in a restaurant, not a bellhop, not a maid. no one.

if true, i just cant/wont be able to ever pull for the guy or become a supporter of him.

There are stories out there that he is a bad tipper. Thing is, there are roughly only 2-3 stories that he tipped badly. However, I can't seem to find any stories to rebut these.

 

[NDBoiler]

I love watching him play too. It was very disappointing to hear about the drama in his personal life, and it made me look at him differently. But like he and Elin, we as fans need to get past that at some point and move on with life. It had nothing to do with the game of golf, unlike countless other athletes who commit crimes or violate the rules of their sports' governance.

On the flip side, I am considerably tired with his on the course tantrums and arrogance that comes through sometimes. I don't think there is anyone else in the history of the sport who acts this way as consistently as he does despite his reliance on "his Buddhism" that should be keeping him a little calmer. The bottom line is, he is just an arrogant person who also happens to be the greatest golfer ever. I only wish he was a somewhat nice guy too.

To the point of his expressions of anger two comments-first you obviously dont play golf in a competitive way or your would understand-they all blow up and he just gets more attention as the camera wont let him go. Secondly he has changed that and has guarded his appearance better than most now. The guy is aware that the camera is following him just waiting for the outburst. Keep the camera on the other guys and you see the same thing. They're apologizing for other guys also. Double Standard- and Tiger is aware that he must change and he has. He knows he's the face of golf and has toned it down. Its like showing you drop the f bomb when you hurt yourself in the garage and its put on sportscenter-big friggin deal. Lastly you pick a golfer to keep you from losing you house on a bet (not that we would)-you can have Rory I'll take Tiger.

I am going to assume you were referencing my comment about Tiger's course attitude so here are my thoughts in response:
I don't recall seeing Jack, Arnold, Gary Player, Lee Trevino doing that stuff on a regular basis. I guarantee you that Mickelson, Rory, Furyk, and Donald don't do it with near the frequency that Tiger does either. I'm pretty sure they all played golf in a competitive way, so I don't see how that point is valid.

I know it happens occasionally to other players too, but come on. If Tiger has "changed" that in his attitude, I fail to see it. I'd like to know when he changed that. Wasn't he supposed to change after the marital scandal based on what he said in his "apology" press conference? I see little difference between his actions before and after it when it comes to his tantrums. It doesn't mean he is not the greatest golfer of all time, he's just a competitve but arrogant (and in a way immature) guy. His struggles to regain his previous form on the course simply prove that.


P.S. For perspective, I have attended (3) pro tour events (2006 US Senior Open, 2010 PGA Championship, and 2012 BMW Championship) and do not recall seeing any heated club throwing/slamming/outbursts in the groups I followed.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I am going to assume you were referencing my comment about Tiger's course attitude so here are my thoughts in response:
I don't recall seeing Jack, Arnold, Gary Player, Lee Trevino doing that stuff on a regular basis. I guarantee you that Mickelson, Rory, Furyk, and Donald don't do it with near the frequency that Tiger does either. I'm pretty sure they all played golf in a competitive way, so I don't see how that point is valid.

I know it happens occasionally to other players too, but come on. If Tiger has "changed" that in his attitude, I fail to see it. I'd like to know when he changed that. Wasn't he supposed to change after the marital scandal based on what he said in his "apology" press conference? I see little difference between his actions before and after it when it comes to his tantrums. It doesn't mean he is not the greatest golfer of all time, he's just a competitve but arrogant (and in a way immature) guy. His struggles to regain his previous form on the course simply prove that.


P.S. For perspective, I have attended (3) pro tour events (2006 US Senior Open, 2010 PGA Championship, and 2012 BMW Championship) and do not recall seeing any heated club throwing/slamming/outbursts in the groups I followed.

You mean this BMW Championship??

Rory McIlroy Throws Club First Round BMW PGA Championship | Golf Channel

Edit: I guess my point is, when TW does it, everyone knows about it. Same when ND does something, everyone knows about it. Or when Suh has a questionable hit, everyone knows about it.

 

[Booslum31]

I am a sucker for greatness. I love watching Tiger when he is in the mix...i don't watch golf when he's not. I really want him to have a great year. I was incredibly disappointed when the poop hit the fan in his personal life. i knew that he wasn't a particularly nice guy...even before that. My best friend is a friend of Stevie (his old caddy). I was just mad that it meant that I couldn't watch the greatest golfer of our time..maybe ever. it's better when Tiger is good.

 

[arrowryan]

I'm a big Tiger fan too. He makes golf so much better and more watchable.

 

[NDBoiler]

You mean this BMW Championship??

Rory McIlroy Throws Club First Round BMW PGA Championship | Golf Channel

Edit: I guess my point is, when TW does it, everyone knows about it. Same when ND does something, everyone knows about it. Or when Suh has a questionable hit, everyone knows about it.

Fair point, but again, not saying that other players don't do it occasionally, but I am talking about frequency. TW is on camera a lot, but so are the other top players too.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Fair point, but again, not saying that other players don't do it occasionally, but I am talking about frequency. TW is on camera a lot, but so are the other top players too.

I see your point. I've seen TW cus, spit, throw clubs (Augusta, British Open, etc). I'm sure there are other stories of guys on tour doing it, but I just don't think that we see it.

I would like to see him not throw or toss his clubs anymore. But I can also imagine the frustration that comes with expecting perfection on every shot. I really think that as this new swing continues to come to fruition, we won't see his escapades anymore.

I, myself, have had to step back from my expectations a bit on the course just so I can freaking enjoy the game. I used to be a headcase on the course and it would ruin my and others round.