We've launched the new forums! Read more here

Reasons to Hate Tiger

Harry Longshanks

Harry Longshanks

ILikeBigPutts&ICannotLie
Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
12,044
Reaction score
101
Location
Home on the Range
I don't hate Tiger, but I also don't disagree with any of these reasons:
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ap-timdahlberg-040809&prov=ap&type=lgns

Don’t like Tiger? A few reasons to explain why

By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Sports Columnist

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)—The bookies make him an odds-on favorite like no other, mostly because Tiger Woods is unlike any other. He tees off Thursday on mended knee in pursuit of a fifth Masters title, secure once again with his place in the game and looking as dominant as ever.

His will to win is extraordinary. His fellow players defer to his greatness.

And there’s nothing in golf better than seeing Woods have a putt on Sunday to win.

But there are those who enjoy watching Zach Johnson put on a green jacket, or maybe even harbor secret thoughts of Greg Norman finally burying his demons. Still others want nothing more than to see Phil Mickelson smiling on the 18th green once again.

Not many, maybe, because it can be lonely pulling against arguably the greatest player ever. Family and friends might not understand.

But there are reasons:

HE’S NOT FAN FRIENDLY—Sure, everyone loves Tiger, but why? He doesn’t give autographs, stares straight ahead when walking through crowds, and offers little more than an occasional tip of the hat to acknowledge the throngs following him around the course. Not to mention he curses so loudly after hitting a bad shot that parents have to cover their children’s ears.

Woods may need all of that to maintain his supreme focus, but Arnold Palmer did all right with his career and was still more than willing to shake hands and say a few words to any fan who sought him out.

HIS CADDIE IS A PAIN—Stevie Williams makes more than a million dollars a year to carry Woods’ bag and hand him his clubs. He also comes in handy driving him to the course, and occasionally will help Woods read a putt. But somewhere along the line his job description broadened to becoming Woods’ enforcer on and off the course. His antics include snatching cameras from offending fans and calling Phil Mickelson names, both of which probably earned him a bonus check from his boss.

HE’S TOO PERFECT—Swedish model wife, check. Two cute kids, check. Florida mansion and private jet, check. At a time most of America is struggling, couldn’t Woods throw us a bone and show us he shares our pain by blowing a four-shot lead on the back nine Sunday to lose the Masters?

HE SCARES PEOPLE—Well, not regular people, but his fellow players. Woods is revered, no, make that feared, by the people he plays against, which is the main reason why not even Mickelson has stepped up his game enough to give him a true rival.

HE’S WON ENOUGH—Woods first won the Masters at the age of 21, and has done it three times since. If he wins this week he’ll have five green jackets and be within one win of tying Jack Nicklaus for the most Masters titles ever. Nicklaus would love to keep the record, but remember: It was the Golden Bear himself who predicted after seeing Woods in a practice round in 1996 that the young phenom would win more Masters than him and Palmer combined (10).

HE WON'T PLAY THE PAR-3—The best player in the world was notable again by his absence Wednesday at the annual Par-3 contest, where players show off their games and families while fans get a chance to interact with them. Asked earlier if he would compete and have daughter, Sam, on the bag, Woods wasted no time turning it down. “I am not, and no,” he said.

HIS CLOTHES CLASH—Actually, Woods is one of the snazzier dressers on tour, thanks to a contract with Nike that guarantees him the latest in golf fashion. He’s also lucky to be dominant in an era where checkered pants and pink tops are a thing of the past—unless you’re Ian Poulter. But another win on Sunday means watching Woods parade around in a red shirt and green jacket that would get him tossed from most decent nightclubs.

HE’S TOO SCRIPTED—Everything about Woods seems like it was pulled from some Hollywood movie of old, like the drama of last year’s U.S. Open, when he hobbled his way down the 18th hole on Sunday and then made a putt to force a playoff he eventually won. His comeback this year from knee surgery was true to form when he made an 18-footer in near darkness to cap a five-stroke comeback and win his last tournament. Nobody can possibly do those kind of things unless they’re drawn up in advance. Unless, of course, the name is Tiger Woods.

YOUTH NEEDS TO BE SERVED—Woods is now 33, a fact that drew a rueful smile from him at his Tuesday press conference. His newest would-be rivals are from another generation, and they grew up idolizing Woods the same way he did Nicklaus. Teenagers Rory McIlroy, Danny Lee and Ryo Ishikawa are in this Masters, and there will come a time that golf needs players like them as much as it needs Woods. Nothing wrong with that time beginning this week on Augusta National.

So, there, Tiger haters. That should be enough to get you through Sunday.

And for the 99 percent of the world that will be rooting for Woods, only one reason is necessary.

Because he is Tiger Woods.
Click to expand...
 
The only one I agree with is the part about the caddie.
 
If I heard it right on the broadcast of the par 3 event, Jack Nicklaus didn't play in it either when he was still playing the Masters. He said it interfered with his preparation for the real tournament. So Tiger should get a pass on that one at least.
 
JB said:
The only one I agree with is the part about the caddie.
Click to expand...

The one that actually bothers me is the "fan friendly" one (which includes, as a corollary, the Par 3 contest). Fine by me if he doesn't sign autographs for adults, but I'd like to see him interact with the kids. And he doesn't have to do the Par 3 every year, but every 3 years or so should be doable.

Of course, there are also the rumors that he's a cheapskate.
 
I have heard rumors of the cheapskate thing, but I have been in a few restaurants that he was at and always gave 20% in a tip I was told. I think people expect a million dollar tip because of who he is.

As for the autographs. He used to sign all the time. However a gentleman came up to him and asked for his autograph to give to his sick son or something along those lines. 2 hours later the item was on ebay.

Im not a Tiger lover or a hater. But hes great for the game and all the rumors about this or that mean nothing.
 
I think not doing the Par 3 contest gets into his competitors heads. He obviously intimidates opponents, maybe these are some of the ways he does it. But there really is no reason to ignore the fans, they buy his clothes and pay money to see him.
 
The only one I agree with is the Par 3 contest one. As Arnold said yesterday, he never missed one. It woulda been nice if Tiger was out there yesterday.

As for all of the other reasons - stupid. Just stupid.
 
Harry Longshanks said:
The one that actually bothers me is the "fan friendly" one (which includes, as a corollary, the Par 3 contest). Fine by me if he doesn't sign autographs for adults, but I'd like to see him interact with the kids. And he doesn't have to do the Par 3 every year, but every 3 years or so should be doable.

.
Click to expand...

No way would I engage in something so distracting and frivolous the day before a major.
 
Funny thing is, I LIKE Tiger for all those reasons.:D
 
I actually agree with his (their, his and his wife's) decision not to bring Sam to the Par 3 contest. With the huge amounts of media following that Tiger gets everywhere he goes, I just think Sam is too young for that. (I'm not sure her exact age, but from the pictures, what is she, three? Maybe when she's eight.)

OT: Cutest golf picture, maybe ever:
Spoiler
gwsl01_09par3.jpg
 
I personally only semi agree with the caddy one. I don't think he pays Stevie to say stuff about Phil, because Phil and Tiger have a huge mutual respect for each other. But other then that I think it's a valid argument. The rest, not so much.
 
Stevie is taking on a bigger role more than a Caddy is responsible for. To me it feels like he is trying to get some lime light.
 
Dent said:
Stevie is taking on a bigger role more than a Caddy is responsible for. To me it feels like he is trying to get some lime light.
Click to expand...

I think being with Tiger during all of his wins, like at Bay Hill, and the US Open last year is enough Limelight. I think he is just trying to help his guy out. :confused2:
 
907golfer12 said:
I think being with Tiger during all of his wins, like at Bay Hill, and the US Open last year is enough Limelight. I think he is just trying to help his guy out. :confused2:
Click to expand...

I don't know what I'm talking about, I'm so tired.. I just read that somewhere.
 
He's like Chuck Norris!!

He's like Chuck Norris!!

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Tiger Woods has allowed to live!
 
Dent said:
I don't know what I'm talking about, I'm so tired.. I just read that somewhere.
Click to expand...

No, getting his lime light could be very possible. But Tiger is like one of the most sensitive guys on Tour, in terms of shutters from cameras and such, so I think Stevie is trying to prevent that as much as possible so Tiger shoots better scores.
 
flowrider said:
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Tiger Woods has allowed to live!
Click to expand...

Hahahahaha. That's a good one Flow! :laugh:
 
Julie, Sam is 2-1/2. Once she gets a little older and decides SHE wants to do the Par 3 with Daddy, things may change. There is nothing like an adorable little girl to get Daddy to do stuff he never dreamed he'd do.
 
Dent said:
Stevie is taking on a bigger role more than a Caddy is responsible for. To me it feels like he is trying to get some lime light.
Click to expand...

That may be to some extent. I was reading in Golf Magazine a story about Williams and he mentioned this. When he is rude to photographers and the gallery it is only about one thing -- keeping an even playing field for his guy. I'll bet if you followed Ryan Palmer and Jeff Maggert around,they wouldn't have all the photographers around, galleries moving, people talking, and just the general circus that follows Tiger. They get to play the same tournament only without the circus. So I think Steve is well within his right to do some of things he does. Does he go to far at times? Probably, but for the most part all he is trying to do is give Tiger the same conditions that the other 120 guys have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top