Thank goodness Phil Mushnick has the courage to debunk the myth that golf was boring without Tiger Woods. The British Open, PGA, and Ryder Cup were the furthest thing from a dreamless sleep. To the contrary, they were riveting drama.  Just because I player is on the European Tour doesn’t mean he isn’t exciting, you know.
Tiger overdose syndrome (T.O.S.) is bad for the game. When we proliforate myths like 1) Tiger is bigger than the game; and 2) the game is boring without him, all that’s really happening is the media is doing a lousy, lazy job of finding and selling the real stories that are out there, but doing a great job of devalueing every other player and every tournament which Tiger chooses to spend on his Yacht “Privacy” instead of at the course.. It’sa slap in the face to the rest of the players and the fans who got out there and made the PGA, Open Championship, and Ryder Cup great.
I ask you: Did the Ryder Cup bore you? How about Paddy-Sergio II? What about the Ben Curtis fans? The legion of NFL fans wearing NFL gear to PGA Tournaments to cheer him on? “Ben’s Brigade” signs were spotted in Honolulu Blue and silver in Detroit, and Cardinal red in Scottsdale. They’re not a story because Ben’s too nice? Too mild-mannered?
You had to see the electricity at Oakland Hills last year. That 27-hole Sunday finish was both the greatest finish by a champion and the greatest putting display ever seen at Oakland Hills C.C. in all the nine majors the austere South Course has held. Even Royal Birkdale was downright regal, crowning a great champion and allowing golf royalty from long past a vicotry lap in the sun on his honeymoon.
Naw…nothin to see here. At least according to the tabloids. Even though golf without Tigerr actually is MORE exciting. You know what the truth is? It’s just too true for people to admit it: No Tiger, no problem, at least according to these PGA TOUR fans at the majors.
AFter all, when he’s not around, it’s anybody’s game. Greatness is just a few steps away. So, for that matter, is a great story.
