TIGER WOES - PART 1

Tiger Woods may have re-written golf history in the 13 years or so he's played on the PGA Tour, but he wiped most of it away without hitting a single shot the last two weeks. Since news eked out of his infidelity, his transgressions, and the surreptitious sneaking around, he has lost sponsors, fans, and much of the hallowed aura that hovers around his what-used-to-be eminent being.

I have been silent on this blog since news broke about Tiger's incorrigible libido, torn between support for the golfer that ignited and fueled my love for this game, and a sense of betrayal, dejectedness, and disappointment from someone I believed changed the face of the game. Yet, who am I to judge. Tiger's life is like no other, the pressures he faces from the wanting and wanton media, like no other, and his actions, in some warp way (which I have yet to rationalise) may not necessarily be judged like that of others.

But that is no excuse for his actions.

It is sad to hear sordid tales of what used to be sports' most eloquent statesmen, known for his uprightness as much as his prowess with a club. Women have come out of the "wood"work, and gossipy stories of what Tiger is really like now pervades the airwaves, and cable TV. That talk has hovered around a possible confession/apology on Oprah is really icing on the cake in this pathetic episode in golf's annals.

In the larger scheme of things, Tiger is still another larger-than-life sports figure that has cheated on his wife. It's been done before and it will be done again (though, hopefully not by Tiger). That sometimes comes with the territory of being The Man. Power is an extraordinary thing, and fueled by success, it sometimes can drive one (not only to great victories, but) to doing things they feel they can get away with. It is this same power, this same sense of formidability that has helped Tiger, time and time again, hit the shots he needed to hit when the chips are down, his back against his wall.

Now, he finds his back against a different kind of wall. He will not be able to use his stiffed iron shots, his deft wedge or that unbelievably true putter of his to solve his problems, but now, more than ever, he needs to dig deep to find a way out. In golf speak, he's three holes down, with three to play.

By now, the would've, could've, should'ves are flying around media circles like flies over a heap of dung. The media has a tendency to thrive on trash, and there is nothing as trashy as stories leaking out from waitresses, nightclub hostesses, and random ladies of the night regarding their rendezvous' with golf's - no, sport's - biggest star. Gossip sells, unfortunately, and as tales of Tiger's heroics has fueled articles, books, blogs, and other outlets of expression, so will those of his demise.

 

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