Tiger’s Scary Future As A Tour Pro

Posted by John

February 21, 2010

Let me first acknowledge the 400 pound gorilla, Tiger’s apology on Friday. As a golf fan, I don’t feel that Tiger owes me an apology. Of course, we’re all entitled to our own opinion on this one. If he had announced that he had been using performance enhancing drugs for the last 5 years, then yes an apology to all golf fans would have been in order.

Tiger’s issues are in his personal life and with his business partners and that’s where he needs to make amends. As far as the Tour goes, whenever he makes his first appearance, the ratings will skyrocket. With fame, it only matters if they love or hate you, just as long as they don’t ignore you.

Now down to business. As a golf lover, what struck me during his ‘apology’ was an almost missed moment when he said he intended to ‘respect’ the game more when he returns. To me, for starters, that means no swearing and club throwing and probably tone downed end-zone dances when he makes a key putt. That I’m anxious to see.

Tiger has shown a tragic character flaw with his infidelities. His apparently wasn’t just a one off with someone he thought he was in love with, this was an uncontrolled addiction to sex without love. To fix himself it will take a makeover of his ego, not just controlling an impulse. If he does change at his core, his approach to golf will change. I’d even go so far as to say that if the same old Tiger returns to golf, he won’t have really addressed his inner demons.

What’s fascinating is what the new Tiger might be like. If Tiger once again embraces Buddhism as he eluded to, will he become the Zen golfer? Now that could be scary. Personally I’d love to see it. Imagine Tiger hits a wayward drive then the camera shows him walking down the fairway with a beatific smile on his face. Tiger already scares most golfers, but that could be downright unnerving.

Let’s face it, as humans we are most influenced by those we put atop the highest pedestals. If Dale Earnhardt runs Quaker State in his car, then a lot of NASCAR fans are going to do the same. Tiger could have one of the most dramatic effects on a sport that we’ve ever seen if he takes on the task of exposing us all to the true nature of the game, letting wins and fame take a back seat.

You can fall from grace and still do great things. Maybe you have to fall from grace to do the greatest things. Tiger, forget beating Jack and show us all the true nature of golf.