Hard to Watch - Even Harder to Understand

Although I suspect that certain people enjoy watching Tiger Woods suffer, I find it tough to see someone of that stature fall so far. Maybe Tiger Woods needed to be knocked off his pedestal, but it is hard to understand how anyone could enjoy seeing a man surrounded by so much self-inflicted grief.

Tiger Woods "the golfer" is an exceptional, almost mystical figure. We have witnessed all the glory and the dominance. With his ability, obvious since he was only a child, Tiger Woods will still certainly be remembered as the best golfer of all time.

Tiger Woods "the man" however is still a mess. His life is a series of question marks and frankly the interview today is just further proof of that.

Part of me wishes I could still "like" Tiger Woods, but I find it almost impossible. He just isn't my type of guy. This isn't about whether or not he is flawed, because I recognize that we are all flawed in some way - even people with extraordinary talent in one way lack in some other way. As I have written before, I can disregard almost any past transgressions to anyone who seems genuine and grounded. I have never felt that from Tiger. I can't relate...

Then, there is the lingering feeling that this is all a big show. I have had media training. I know the techniques that consultants teach people who are faced with questions and I understand the process that allows someone like Tiger Woods to deal with uncomfortable media situations. As such, I recognized that most of the answers seemed prepared again during his interview today. Tiger appeared well rehearsed and his repetitive theme sounded heavily scripted.

Having said that, Tiger Woods faced some serious questions - questions he is not really obliged to answer. Whether you accept answers such as "it was all in the police report", or believe anything he had to say for that matter, it must be gut wrenching for a man like Tiger Woods to face the world in this particular light. The word "humbled" comes to mind...

The stark reality is that Tiger has lost more than just a few lucrative sponsors. And, though we are often quick to judge, we must remember that HE is the one who lives with the loss of tremendous public support and respect, he is the one who has become the late-night punch line, he is the one who must face his wife, face his mother, face his friends, and face the world to a certain extent, while wearing his sins across his chest.

So, even if I am not prepared to "like" Tiger Woods, I am also no longer willing to persecute him. As Frank Nobilo said, we can not canonize him for having done this interview, but we can accept that these are steps that he is taking to begin rehabilitating his career and his life.

As he returns to competitive golf, the backlash is really only just beginning. The tough part is not behind him - not by a long shot. It will be interesting to see if Tiger Woods can behave with the utmost grace now, in the face of the unspeakable rudeness he will almost surely encounter.

That is but part of the price he will pay for having had all his flaws publicly exposed.

The Future of Golf

Anyone wondering or worried about the future of golf need look no further than Rickie Fowler to know that things are looking up. Not since Sergio Garcia has any young up-and-comer shown such natural ability and not since John Daly has any rookie so quickly captured the hearts of young golf fans.

Like Tiger Woods, Fowler's appeal extends far beyond the "usual" golf fan. He has the look, he has the panache, but unlike others before him, he also has the game to round out the package. Sure, there have been many other young guns with many of the same necessary ingredients at one time or another. Most went on to fizzle and none ever lived-up to lofty expectations. Anthony Kim, Justin Rose and Rickie Barnes come to mind. While they are all good golfers, none has ever given Tiger Woods much to worry about. But Fowler has something more - an intangible. Fowler has a level head and a steady demeanor that is impressive, especially in a game that rewards mental toughness and cold blood.

If Tiger Woods can credit much of his own success to his legendary mental toughness, then being able to play each stroke with consistency and focus is what will either make or break Fowler. When I asked Rickie Fowler (via Twitter) how he manages to keep it together on Sunday, especially when the pressure is very intense, he quickly responded: "I just remind myself that I've hit that shot a thousand times and it helps keep me in the moment." The simplicity of his answer and the common sense of the approach is an example of why this guy may soon become a premiere golfer on tour.

Moreover, Fowler may become one of the biggest money-making machines the PGA Tour has ever seen. As Fowler likes to say before he starts every round, "ITS GO TIME!" While Tiger Woods faltered, Rickie Fowler stealthily stepped into the spotlight and is now busy winning the hearts of young golf fans, who are eager for someone of their own generation to follow. The Puma gear, the cool hats over his long hair, and the aw-chucks attitude all help set him apart from the crowd and to make him a sponsor's dream. He is truly unique in golf, he stands out in several ways among a group often criticized for being clone-like. He represents what some hope will be the "next" generation of North American golfer.

Having said all that and perhaps best of all... Rickie Fowler is likable. Those who know him, like commentator Michael Collins, often speak of his excellent character, easy disposition and good nature. At a time when golf's super stars have sour faces and utter four letter words on camera, wouldn't it be great to have a star we can actually like!

The only thing left to do is light up the course, rack up the wins and stare down the current #1 player in the world. This is no small task, but if all golf fans hunger for something, it is a legitimate contender to take on Tiger Woods head to head, week after week. So far, only Vijay was able to do it for any length of time.

Of course, only time will tell if Rickie Fowler really can become golf's next big star. Golf is unkind to those who fall short, but something tells me that Rickie Fowler's star has plenty of shinning to do.

Will Tiger Woods Ruin the Masters

From the first speculation that Tiger was planning a return to golf at either one of the Tavistock Cup, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, or at the Masters in Augusta, my hope has been that he might not choose the Masters as his comeback stage.

I am a Northerner. My ancestors did not have the wherewithal to keep moving South, so my golf season does not usually start until after Masters week. This is golf's version of the Stanley cup, the Superbowl, and the World Series, wrapped into one of the classiest sporting events on the face of the earth.

As I have done before, I'll be in attendance again this year, to walk the hallowed grounds where legends have played the game. If there is such a place, this is where the ghost of Bobby Jones still lives. Every blade of grass, every sandwich wrapped in green, every famous azaelia lined hole - all of it is steeped in history and tradition. But, what will it be like at Augusta National amid the media frenzy?

My legitimate fear is that Tiger will not be greeted with open arms, instead being confronted with hostility. For as many fans as Tiger Woods still has, there are now a multitude of Tiger-haters, all waiting for a chance to heckle and lash out. It is by virtue of being King of the Hill that people will try to knock him down, especially when he has shown such monumental signs of weakness and personal flaws.

Tiger's caddie, Steve Williams, can threaten to shield his boss all he wants, but he will certainly be no match for the anger that has festered in the hearts of Tiger-haters for these many months. As unimaginable as it may seem at Augusta, this could get messy.

The obvious issue is this: you can't do what Tiger did, from his formerly lofty pedestal, and hope to avoid all forms of flack - even at Augusta National.

I know that several players have agreed with the notion that the Masters is secure enough that Tiger can avoid a free-for-all like what would surely have transpirred at a venue like the Phoenix Open, or the Honda Classic. There, Tiger would have felt the full brunt of the anger.

Nonetheless, my opinion remains that the Tavistock Cup would have provided a great warm-up venue for Woods, while also allowing Tiger-haters their stage to let it all out, to get it over with and to finally vent their collective frustration. It would have been an ideal place for Tiger Woods to answer a few questions at a small venue and to ease the media hunger.

Then, Bay Hill would have been less crazy, as the story would have already played out the week before. We all know how short an attention span we have! Only silence seems to drag this on and on! Furthermore, Bay Hill is a place where Tiger has dominated and could have played with some degree of confidence, while getting comfortable with what surrounds him. Nothing shuts up a critic quite like a sound beating, as Stephen Ames once learned.

At last, Tiger could have walked the course at Augusta in relative peace, amid the most well-behaved crowd on tour. The Masters tournament would have been spared the embarrassment of the media frenzy that is now almost certain, while still retaining all of the upside - most importantly the TV ratings.

All this could have been achieved without forsaking the sacred etiquette and decorum that makes Augusta National so special.

As far as I'm concerned, choosing the Masters to make a comeback was another selfish act by a man who often seems to care mostly about what gratifies him. This may be a bit harsh, at a time when we are being sold on the notion of a reborn Buddhist Tiger Woods, who has spent months reinventing himself. Maybe I just don't buy it, yet.

One doesn't hire Ari because one IS a good person, one hires Ari to help APPEAR to be a good person. There is a distinction...

I certainly look forward to attending the Masters weekend. I will see someone win a green jacket, maybe even Tiger Woods. All I hope is that the event doesn't get lost in the buzz...

I'm interested to know what you think.