Tiger Woods' club-throwing at the Deutsche Bank was caught
on tape. Did it cross the line? (Photo: AP/Stew Milne)
Tiger Woods is known as many things. The best golfer in the world. A dedicated father and husband. A man who donates much of his spare time and money to his foundation.
'Cool-headed', however, is not a phrase that would fit his personality.
While Woods is known to slam a driver or mutter a curse word after a shot, he recently took his 'anger-management' to a new level, throwing a club wildly after a presumed mishit, leaving caddy Steve Williams to chase after it.
This moment, caught on tape by a fan during Thursday's action at the Deutsche Bank Championship, is the latest in a series of breakdowns that leaves golf fans scratching their head. First, Tiger uncharacteristically falters down the stretch in back-to-back weeks in big moments. Then, Woods rips Ernie Els' rehab routine after his knee surgery, pointing out that Els has never been known as a hard worker. And now, this.
A curse word after a missed fairway... okay, it happens. And even the most level-headed of us golfers has thumped a driver on the tee after slicing a shot out of bounds. But hurling clubs crosses a line that even the most average of golfers normally don't cross. As golfers who have love and respect for a great game, the last thing we need is a generation of golfers thinking that throwing clubs into the bushes after a bad drive or embedding a putter into the green after a lip out are acceptable actions on the golf course.
PGA Tour, you're not completely off the hook here. You created a figure larger than life, and now that he's struggling, his true colors are coming out. The First Tee program teaches children "nine core values," which include integrity, sportsmanship, respect and responsibility. To allow Tiger to continue to act this way in front of galleries that include the children you are trying to attract as the future of the game, is not only irresponsible, but disingenuous, as well. If Tiger doesn't recognize that it's time to rein it in, then you've got to point it out to him.
As for Tiger... how is it possible that he's gone, in the span of a month, from the unquestioned best golfer of all time to a man who's struggling to keep it together? If greatness is defined by how you react to hardship, then Tiger, while he may end up with more records than Arnie and Jack, will fall short of the greats in that aspect of his game.
Video posted on YouTube by "theslicegirls"
Like this article? Make sure to check out...
- 2009 FedEx Cup Playoffs: Tiger Woods takes a swing at Ernie Els' rehab regimen
- Photos of Tiger Woods' first round at the Deutsche Bank Championship
- Furyk's extra wedge costs him $131,250 at The Barclays; why you should carry fewer clubs
- 2009 FedEx Cup points leaders: Slocum wins, but Tiger holds lead despite putting woes
Comments
What do you want from the guy? An autograph after an errant tee shot?
Better yet..How about shakes and burgers for everybody? Would that have been more genuine?
You said it yourself, he has struggled as of late. What type of reaction would you expect from an extremely competetive athlete that is much more often than not on the top of his game who is all of a sudden having troubles. No, you should not throw clubs, and I am sure he knows that. I am sure that as soon as it left his hands, he was saying to himself, "oh crap." The best athletes are harder on themselves than anyone else could be, which really causes a great deal of pressure. Tiger is simply feeling that right now and it finally got to him. Overall, he is still a great role model for the youth of today. At least he is not fighting dogs or involved in high speed chases from the police or getting busted for using performance inhancers like so many other athletes. In that case, let him throw his clubs....he's not breaking the law.
Really? That's a good role model? He threw his club and walked away to let Steve pick it up. That's childish. He didn't say "oh crap" after throwing it...he would have gone and gotten it himself if he felt remorseful.
Nobody hits every shot perfect, and that includes Tiger. He shouldn't expect to. Everyone else is playing the same golf tournament. They're all dealing with pressure and while everyone gets frustrated playing golf, most folks handle it more professionally.
I am in total respect of Tiger's golf game, but I have very little respect for his antics on the golf course. I believe Tiger simply loves winning more than he loves golf. It should be the other way around.
I'm just disappointed. He used to be such a role model and now he's turning into the classic spoiled rich person who can get away with things like this. Kids are going to think this is ok. He should issue a full apology saying this is wrong. This isn't what golf is supposed to be.
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