04/20/24
April 24, 2006
Tiger takes the plunge: Tiger Woods traveled to New Zealand this weekend to be the best man at the wedding of Steve Williams, his long-time caddy. While there, he took the time to bungee jump 134m (about 440 ft) from a cable car into Nevis Valley. One can't help but wonder if Mark Steinberg had a heart attack when he heard about this. According to the article, Tiger says his insurance was "taken care of."
posted by Joey Michaels to golf at 04:05 AM - 16 comments
Hey! Life is more than a 4 foot putt.
posted by scotsman at 05:43 AM on April 24, 2006
This surprises me. I think it's good for Tiger, but surprising. I thought Tiger had that laser-like focus on winning majors and would never take time off like this during the season. It will be interesting to see how he does at the last 3 majors of this year.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 06:21 AM on April 24, 2006
Bill, Tiger's not likely to play again until shortly before Winged Foot. He made it out of the stock-car race in one piece too by the sound of it. It's a sad reflection of modern sport that we can all be surprised to learn of top athletes doing something other than their sport and something that might endanger their ability to play. I'm glad he's got a life, I'm glad he's taking some time off to be with his old man, and I'm glad he's not afraid to throw himself into the mix. He'll probably emerge a better player from doing so also.
posted by JJ at 06:32 AM on April 24, 2006
Golf is such a demanding game with such high mental taxes that I think it's only good practice to walk away from the course every once in a while. And bungie jump. While on fire. Also - my understanding is that most type A competitive types are risk takers. Just 'cause his interviews are boring doesn't mean that Tiger is.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:31 AM on April 24, 2006
Somewhere, Vijay is practicing....
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 07:37 AM on April 24, 2006
I'm more impressed that Tiger took the time to do the wedding. That's the kind of thing that close buddies do. I always suspected that he had some "regular guy" in him.
posted by whitedog65 at 07:39 AM on April 24, 2006
Tiger's relationship with his Dad is one of the all time great father-son stories. Earl raised a great kid. Note on Masters; I liked seeing Phil win it but am I the only person who feels Tiger actually lost it? If you noticed Tiger's final 9 he was only a couple of putts from making it his. Without his father's health on his mind you have to wonder if those same putts are not drained.
posted by mikemora at 07:58 AM on April 24, 2006
BBC report says: "With team-mates as blockers in the second race, Woods charged from the back to win but he had to settle for second overall after former All Black captain Tana Umaga's team won the deciding third race." Even if it was a celebrity invitational, there was no way Tana Umaga was going to allow himself to get beaten by a golfer.
posted by the red terror at 08:20 AM on April 24, 2006
I thought Tiger took time off to see to his ailing father?
posted by sgtcookzane at 09:14 AM on April 24, 2006
Also - my understanding is that most type A competitive types are risk takers. Tiger takes risks.
posted by bperk at 10:46 AM on April 24, 2006
And someone handed that picture around to Tana and his Royal mate.
posted by JJ at 11:03 AM on April 24, 2006
I think a lot of it has to do with his father's illness. Tiger's reached that point in his life when he's realized that sooner rather than later he's going to lose his family. A lot of people start concentrating on living rather than working when that realization hits. With the proper equipment and knowledagle jump masters bungee isn't that dangerous. I can't tell you how many times I've done it. I even worked one of those crane jumps that were the fad in the late 80s- early 90s. Call me when he BASE jumps or hang glides.
posted by ?! at 11:57 AM on April 24, 2006
Bungee jumping is about as dangerous as getting out of bed in the morning. I say good for Tiger to have taken the time with is caddie and also with his Dad.
posted by mikelbyl at 02:54 PM on April 24, 2006
Tiger's Dad is dying so let Tiger do what ever he wants to do before the U.S. open and lets let his agent bitch
posted by luther70 at 03:16 PM on April 24, 2006
Actually, what I liked about this article was that it provided a very likable and human side of Tiger. It is easy to lose site of the fact that a lot of our sports legends are, in some ways, just people. People with an enviable set of amazing abilities, but people who like to go racing cars with their friends and take the time to be in their friend's weddings. And, truth be told, I would be surprised if Mr. Steinberg didn't have something to do with this news being all over SI today.
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:18 PM on April 24, 2006
Good for Tiger. It's nice to see that side of him. I didn't think he had it in him.