As I was watching this past week's HSBC Champions event, I could not help but notice the dichotomous personalities displayed by the world's two top players. For every grin or nod made by Mickelson, a club slam or a "GD" would be mouthed by Woods. Woods' pensive and petulant personality has been a longtime bother to me, but his recent demeanor seemed especially inappropriate.
Apparently I am not alone in having this feeling. In the final round of the HSBC Champions event, the European Tour's chief golf commentator, Renton Laidlaw, even weighed in on Woods' sour mood. I believe I remembered Laidlaw stating that watching Woods play was a somewhat uncomfortable experience for him (imagine what it must have been like for those men, women, and children hearing and witnessing his behavior only a few feet away).
First off, I do understand that Mickelson was en route to a victory when Woods was on his way to a disappointing sixth place finish. I also understand that Woods is a professional athlete who cannot merrily stroll his way to Victory Lane. Furthermore, I am aware that Woods is known and often respected for the competitive passion he exudes during play. Nevertheless, Tiger Woods needs to improve his attitude, and here is why:
Tiger Woods is the face of the modern game of golf. No other professional golfer, and perhaps no other professional athlete in the world, is as closely monitored as Tiger Woods during competition. As a result, Woods has a fiduciary responsibility to behave in a professional manner that tastefully represents the PGA Tour and professional athletes around the world. Whether Woods likes it or not, he is an employee of the fans who pay to see him compete. Even though swarms of fans will pay to witness Woods' spectacular play whether or not he curses his way to the winner's circle, their enjoyment and their respect for professional athletes will suffer unnecessarily when Woods pouts, curses, and rarely flashes his pearly white smile.
For me, the argument that Woods' behavior is excusable because he is competing in a professional event, is an anemic one. Golf is unlike most other professional sports (yes, it is a sport) in the world, in that its competitors are not constantly engaged in doing something that has an impact on the way the competition concludes; instead, many minutes pass between shots. Saying that Woods does not have the ability to acknowledge the nearby members of the gallery in this window of time is like arguing that LeBron James does not have the time to kindly acknowledge his fans between basketball games. Suck it up Tiger, and connect with your fans!
Finally, the club throws and the curse words are unnecessarily excessive. I have competed in many competitive golf events myself and, although I did not have as much pressure on me as Woods does each week, I am mature enough to control my emotions after hitting a bad shot to the point where my actions do not cause damage to the course or to a kid's ears. And yes, I am human, I do get heated when I hit a bad shot!
I really admire Tiger Woods in so, so, so, so many ways. Despite his occasional inappropriate outbursts, and disappointingly sour mood, Woods is a great ambassador for the game when all factors are entered into the equation. Nevertheless, for a man who was raised by a military father who always emphasized the importance of humility and respect, one must not deem it too much to ask the world's number one to smile a bit more and curse a bit less.
Comments
exactly. this is the reason i can no longer root for TW. i used to love him, but now he just bores me. He pouts too much, throws to many clubs, and curses way to much. grow up Tiger
i completely disagree with the writer and to all of you who put too much emphasis on his so-called temper tantrums.in all honesty the moment TW becomes like the rest of them, no passion whatsoever,i will stop watching Golf.people watch him because of his intensity. he is electrifying.people are trying to make his behavior an excuse for not liking him but just get real , you simply HATE him.
If you don't like Woods, don't watch him. He is an individual that none of us know what he experiences between getting up in the morning and making it to the driving range before a golf tournament. His world is much different Matt Langan, writer of the article, than yours so don't criticize what you don't understand.
I've noticed that reporters are trendy and the trend now is to denigrate Tiger Woods for his behavior. Stick to the game of golf not persoanalities.
Sorry Lyn & Maynard I agree with the writer of the article. And I love to watch Tiger because he never ceases to amaze me with how he can scramble after a bad shot and still make a birdie or par. I have been to several tournaments and followed him for part of the round and have seen him smile but not nearly as much as he slams club or curses. I would be much more of a fan if he only showed a little courtesy to his fans and ease up on the temper tantrums. I like to win also and have uttered a swear word or two but haven't had thousands of fans including kids withn eye and ear shot.
Maynard and Lyn:
I can completely understand your points! His life is certainly a very tough one to live, and if he did become Mr. Nice Guy, he wouldn't be nearly as entertaining to watch; however, I just think that he oversteps the boundaries when it comes to how one should react after a golf shot when playing on the professional Tours. I've never seen heroes like Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, or Norman (and the list goes on), be as disgruntled as Woods after hitting poor shots. I don't think we should make exceptions for Woods when we are judging his behavior just because his game is untouchable.
Thanks for posting! This is a great topic!
There is no excuse for throwing tantrums and cussing when you are an athlete that kids like to emulate. He has a responsibility to the game and the fans. Jack was also a model for people like me and never I h ave seen him do the things Tiger does so often. No excuses people just because he is good. When he is playing at home with his friends is a different thing. When you are in the public eye, you have a responsibility to many things.
As a 20 handicapper, I have noticed that people I play with that curse, throw clubs etc., think they are alot better than they are. In Tiger's case, he is great, but still there is no place for his tantrums. Trevino, Chi Chi, Arnie, Jack, Fuzzy and Lefty had and will always have a multitude of fans, because they havent forgotten the people aspect of the game.
Haters are going to hate. Other players come nowhere close to dealing with potential distractions like Tiger does. He implements such rules to make sure he is on an even playing field. Only the person on top will be hated on, never second place. This writer is just following the script every other writer before him has-hate on whoever is on top for something other than his game. Pretty standard, brainless writing from another hack
Andre,
Wow, those are some pretty caustic words. It's too bad that you assume that I am a "hater" when it comes to how I feel about Tiger. Did you read my final paragraph when I said, "I really admire Tiger Woods in so, so, so, so many ways. Despite his occasional inappropriate outbursts, and disappointingly sour mood, Woods is a great ambassador for the game when all factors are entered into the equation?"
Clearly, I don't hate Tiger; instead, I just think he needs to clean up his act. Furthermore, I'm sorry but I have to completely disagree with your opinion that my writing is "brainless" because this opinion isn't one I rashly came up with. In fact, It's the hundreds of ugly reactions I've observed Tiger make that went into helping me formulate this opinion. Still, thanks for sharing your opinion - I respect your willingness to participate!
Haters are going to hate. Other players come nowhere close to dealing with potential distractions like Tiger does. He implements such rules to make sure he is on an even playing field. Only the person on top will be hated on, never second place. This writer is just following the script every other writer before him has-hate on whoever is on top for something other than his game. Pretty standard, brainless writing from another hack
Not sure why my original comments were posted twice...Anyways, people need to stop concerning themselves with athletes off the field or their respective ways and means. Are you trying to be friends with the guy? Are you bringing them to your folk’s house for approval? No. The only reason we started to pay attention to Tiger was because of his once-in-a-lifetime ability to dominate golf. Let’s keep it to that. Let’s not focus on things unrelated to his driving, approach shots, and putting because at the end of the day, that is all that matters. There is nothing in Tiger’s act that needs to be cleaned up, especially coming from someone who has never met him nor interacted with him once in his life, but while we’re talking about cleaning up golfer’s acts, when are you going to write about Phil not paying his gambling debts on the golf course? It’s widely known around the tour that he’s done that before.
Not holding up one’s end of a bet, now that’s something to be cleaned up.
Just say
Andre,
You are the brainless writer and reader. Nowhere there is mention or insinuation of hate. The BEHAVIOR of TW on the course in front of millions of people is what is not acceptable. It has nothing to do with talent, fame or anything. It is not acceptable period.
Don't tell Tiger Woods how to conduct himself on a golf course. You have never and will never be in his situation. You have NO frame of reference in this matter. He is the greatest golfer to have ever lived, who is anyone to tell him how to carry himself? When I said 'hate' I was not referencing the article, it was more of a metaphorical use of the word hate; more nitpicking by the author than anything. It's a typical approach by a critic when the player's game has exceeded all expectations.
The talent, the greatness or the achievements of an athlete doesn't permit him or her to throw clubs or utter cuss words when there are children watching. Don't excuse Tiger because he is so good, it doesn't matter. Golf is a sport that is governed by rules. There is a code of ethics and no where there is an excuse for bad behavior. That is why he has been fined many times. People need to follow rules, there is a place for everything. You shouldn't show up at a funeral in your bikini and you need to show respect. This is common sense. The audience can not be subject to the lack of self restrain that is required of athletes, presidents and people in the public eye. There is a responsibility that comes with fame and fortune. DON'T EXCUSE HIM BECAUSE HE IS A GREAT GOLFER PLEASE!!!
its the charles barkley debate. why do we need our athletes to be role models? pm is a robot, always has been. the interesting thing is that he has choked away as many majors as he has won. golf is a frustrating game, and when you expect a lot out of yourself and dont execute anger can occur. for the commenter who said he is a 20 and doesnt get why people throw their clubs, i dont get why you care? if it makes me feel better to throw my club after a bad shot i know i can make that is my prerogative bobby brown. tw is the best of all time, and i enjoy seeing emotion out of the best. it makes them human.
Mr Langan, any golfers on tour is capable of winning a tournament but i don't think they expect to win everytime and that is the difference between the field and TW.if you have that expectation of yourself and not able to deliver,you get pretty angry with yourself.you enumerated the golfing greats of the past and stated they did not react the way TW does. the truth is , none of us know for sure as to what DEGREE these great golfers wants to win.what we know is that TW has been programmed to break Jack Nicklaus record. the criticism of his behavior (from others also) has been overboard.if you want him to be a role model , why not talk about his exemplary private life?no run -ins with the law,good father,good husband ,good son and so forth . with all the money in the world,you don't see him flaunt it.in fact he does not want to talk about his money.there are so many good things to talk about him yet some writers waste their talent(?)writing about "Farts" over and over again.how SAD .
Lyn,
I think your comments are void now that the recent news has broken!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!