I’m working on an article dispelling he myth hat golf needs Tiger Woods. The most refreshing thing I’ve learned? The fans are really fed up with Woods. Despite the papers and the networks being preconditioned and afraid of change – and therefore willing to look the other way when Woods turns into a werewolf, bites the head off a live llama, and orders everyone to bow and carry him around on their shoulders like an Egyptian Pharaoh – fans are writing in droves asking for less Woods and more new golfers.
Steve Czaban had this to say on his website:
He doesn’t respect the game.
A lot has been made of Tiger dropping f-bombs on camera, and his club tossing. This is bad. But let’s put all that aside. When Tiger bangs the tightly mown, manicured turf behind the 13th green as he did on Sunday, it shows what a real prick he is. Any golfer knows, that having a good lie for shot like that is crucial. Crucial! And all it takes, is a little crease from a 56 degree Vokey in that turf, and you are screwed. The chances are slim somebody else would roll into his damaged spot, but the chance remained. Unacceptable. Raking the green at Pinehurst at the US Open. This is nothing new for him.
He’s a front runner.
Anybody can look good when winning. Seeing how people react when they lose says alot more. Well, we’ve seen Tiger’s act. He’s an awful loser. As bad as LeBron when things don’t go his way. Oh, he’ll shake hands, but that’s about it. Crappy post round interviews. Nary a positive word about his competitors. And often, he’ll just make delusional excuses instead of just being honest (i.e. “I played great, I just didn’t make a putt.”).
The TV announcers and networks never stop washing his balls.
Okay, this one I guess you can’t hang on Tiger himself, but it just adds to the in-sufferability. At least Feherty admits to being in the tank for Tiger. Guys like Peter Kostis are more pathetic. Kostis was allegedly “banned” by Tiger from doing interviews with him on CBS, because years ago he had been mildly critical of Tiger’s swing changes. Seeing this as a direct threat to his livelyhood – and correctly so – Kostis has since gone 180 degrees the other way, and openly roots for the swoosh on every telecast. If five guys are 3 shots back on Sunday, every broadcaster frames it as “can Tiger catch him” and they just throw away the rest. ESPN is just as bad. On Sunday, the “Lead” item on their bottom of the screen ticker read (and I’m not making this up): “McIlroy extends lead, Woods seven shots back.” Someday, should the unthinkable happen, a headline will read like this: “Tiger Woods Reportedly Safe, After Meteor Strike Wipes Out East Coast.”
…and a lot more. Way to go, Steve. Hit him again…harder!
