11/05/24
May 26, 2006
Woods skips Memorial:: Tiger, still mourning the death of his dad, decided to not play in Jack's tournament for the first time since becoming a full-time pro in 1997. Woods, a three-time winner at Muirfield Village, will most likely go into the U.S. Open without having played a tournament since finishing in a tie for third at The Masters in early April. That is, if he decides to play the U.S. Open.
posted by donnnnychris to golf at 06:53 PM - 20 comments
who cares how it impacts his game. his father died. i lost my dad this past winter, and it was tough enough going back to work at my daily grind a week later. i can only feel compassion for eldrick as he re-enters the spotlight whenever he chooses to return to the game. we discover when times are tough how strong we are, and how unimportant sports and our little diversions actually are. i wish tiger only the best when he does return and hope people don't over dramatize the return and think they feel his pain. a prolonged standing ovation is probably the last thing he wants, or needs. he's acted with nothing but class most his entire life, and i'm sure he'll handle this situation as best he can. god bless you and your family eldrick.
posted by tommybiden at 07:50 PM on May 26, 2006
Guys...this should go to tell you how trivial sports are compared to life itself. Earl Woods was a loving father who gave his life to see Tiger become not just an amazing golfer but an amazing person as well. I hope that he takes his time and comes back when HE is ready, not when the media tells him to. Tiger has earned that right after the way he's played ever since turning pro. He can come back next week, for the US Open, the British Open, or hell...he can take as long as he wants. We should give that to him. Tiger, my prayers are with you man.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 11:09 PM on May 26, 2006
I totally agree with the sentiment here. When I lost my dad back in 1997 I didn't want to move for weeks and I still miss him every single day. I can totally understand what Tiger's going through emotionally. He needs to come back when he is ready and not a second sooner. His success in life has afforded him the opportunity to stay away as long as he pleases and I, for one, will not bemoan a Tiger-less summer in the majors if he needs that time to get past this. All the sympathy in the world for Tiger on this one. For once the media needs to shut up and just let him be.
posted by donnnnychris at 11:30 PM on May 26, 2006
Golf is a game, losing your dad is the major suck. I still miss mine. If Tiger wanted to take the next year off, I'd understand completely.
posted by fenriq at 12:02 AM on May 27, 2006
In a way I'd be happy if Tiger did opt out of the US Open and eventually return for a smaller tourney with less TV coverage. Tommy you're right about the media overdramatizing it. They would go straight for the heart strings like friggin vultures. Networks love "stories" like this and behind closed doors would be pissed if Tiger didn't give them a chance to capitalize on it. It's nice to see an athlete mourn on his own schedule rather than buckling to pressure of sponsors, fans, etc.
posted by bluesdog at 12:18 AM on May 27, 2006
If I may cast a cynical eye, the sponsors probably realise just how much extra exposure they'll get when he returns. "Take all the time you want, Mister Woods" they say, while the adding machines clatter and hands are rubbed together in glee...
posted by Drood at 04:00 AM on May 27, 2006
he needs to take as long as he needs. his father was the man that put him where he is today. good luck and GOD be with you Tiger
posted by papamaz at 05:21 AM on May 27, 2006
Drood, I'm sure that's exactly what Tiger's thinking. "Hey, let's make some other tournament a few extra bucks!" Right. Jack Nicklaus is Tiger's hero and mentor, which is why he makes a point of playing this, the tournament to which Nicklaus is most personally attached, every year. Good story or not, I somehow doubt anyone who matters is begrudging Tiger one minute of this time away from the game. ("OMG he was at the Yankee game last night! He's not mourning 24/7! WTF?!>!?!!1?")
posted by chicobangs at 06:13 AM on May 27, 2006
chico, if I read it right, I believe Drood was applying a primer coat of snark to the sponsors, not to Tiger himself. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but that's the way I read it.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 07:02 AM on May 27, 2006
But the sponsors of the Memorial aren't counting any extra money if Tiger misses their tournament, and while the US Open might benefit in ratings if Tiger participates versus if he doesn't, I can't see it mattering to their bottom line whether he plays a tournament before then or not.
posted by chicobangs at 07:19 AM on May 27, 2006
From the original post: Tiger, still mourning the death of his dad I find the word "still" very curious. Is there a time limit?
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 07:31 AM on May 27, 2006
Bill, No meaning attached the word still, just in context to the decision to skip the Memorial...and if you read my comment later on, there is no time limit to mourn your dad...mine died 9 years ago and I still miss him every single day.
posted by donnnnychris at 07:37 AM on May 27, 2006
Interesting note: If Tiger Woods does play the US Open, the final round of that tournament lands on Father's Day. Yeah, I'm sure that the media won't make a big deal about that...
posted by grum@work at 09:21 AM on May 27, 2006
Remember when Jordan's Dad was killed? The bulls that year could have won the finals in a sweep but lost game 4 , making the final game on Fathers day. (Not that I'm saying they lost on purpose. Wink Wink) If Tiger can come back and play in the Open and win it on Fathers Day I know their wont be a dry eye at my house. That would be a great storyline.
posted by seansterps at 10:14 AM on May 27, 2006
I have a sneaking suspicion that Tiger will play in the Open, if only to dedicate the victory to his father on Dad's day. I wouldn't bet against him if he does play.
posted by mjkredliner at 10:48 AM on May 27, 2006
Chicobangs: How about you try fucking READING what I put rather than just glancing and then replying!! I said the SPONSORS! Not Tiger, the SPONSORS! Good fucking christ, is it too much to ask you fucking READ what you reply to? Or would that take vital seconds out of your day?
posted by Drood at 01:29 PM on May 27, 2006
Drood, I understood what you were saying as did most of those who read your post. Id like to believe Chico simply missunderstood the comment and responded accordingly. Having read many of Chico's posts, I have not seen him just "fly off the handle" haphazardly very often. Personaly I'd give him the benifit of the doubt the he simply mis-read your statement. You good sir also make very well thought out comments and generally get your point across (even if I disagree at times) so this last one seems out of character to me. just my thoughts, now ill crawl back in my hole
posted by Folkways at 03:14 PM on May 27, 2006
I find the word "still" very curious. Is there a time limit? I agree with you Bill, I think sometimes we (fans) judge superstars by a different standard than normal people. I wouldnt be mad at Tiger if he didnt play another tournament the rest of the year. Now I know that wouldnt happen because his father would want him to play.
posted by PGHTOS at 10:23 AM on May 28, 2006
PGHTOS!!! Read my earlier post when I responded to Bill...there is no meaning to still...sheesh...
posted by donnnnychris at 01:07 PM on May 28, 2006
I have to actually respect a guy who knows when he needs to stay out of the public eye for awhile. After suffering a difficult loss it has to be really tough to go out and endure all the gigantic crowds, the media hype, etc. Unfortunately, this only means it will be ten times as bad at the U.S. Open. I wouldn't bet either way as to how the layoff will ultimately impact his game.