I am an avid golfer and fan of the PGA Tour. I am one of the rare fans who was not enraptured by Tiger Woods even before the scandal that revealed itself shortly after Thanksgiving last year. I have always felt Tiger was given too much attention when he was not on the leader board. He has always struck me as someone who was invested in himself to the point of neurosis.
Over the last five months we have gotten to know the unscripted Tiger, and it isn’t pretty. But I must tell you, his behavior during and after last weekend’s Masters disturbed me almost as much as everything he did leading up to that supposedly triumphant return to professional golf.
In Tiger’s pre-tournament press conference, he said some things that really impressed me. He talked about a new respect for the game and a renewed appreciation for what he has been given. He said this newfound attitude would result in less profanity and more congeniality. It took him less than two days to backtrack on everything.
It is clear to me Tiger didn’t mean anything he said. His supposed contrition is all a public relations gimmic. Anyone who is sincere can change at least for a little while. Heck, even a New Years resolution is usually carried out for a couple weeks! The moment things didn’t go Tiger’s way, he was slamming clubs to the ground, and using profane language. When things don’t go his way, he feels it is his right to poison his surroundings: even what is arguably the most hallowed ground in all of professional sport.
His post-tournament interview was a clinic in arrogance and narcissism. Here is a man who was living a lie in front of his fans for years. He has blown his family apart, and cost many people perhaps millions of dollars. In spite of all that, he was given a tremendous welcome back by fans. Instead of thanking God for the incredible blessings that have been bestowed upon him, all he could do was complain about a fourth place finish, and try to justify his temper tantrums.
Barring an injury, it is virtually certain that Tiger will rewrite the record books and be regarded as the greatest golfer of all time. We now know that his character did not grow with his golf swing. I would have thought the crisis in his life would have brought about some significant changes. Obviously I was wrong.
