The Masters
I don't follow or watch golf. Unless it's the Masters. And, honestly, only on Sunday.
The Bergen (NJ) Record's Tara Sullivan has a great column today on the always-there storyline of Tiger and his chase for 18 major titles, the record held by Jack Nicklaus. Tiger currently has 14 majors.
The 2011 Masters begins tomorrow, and both Nicklaus (retired) and Tiger (10:41 a.m. tee time) have been in the interview room in Augusta. One is a little warmer and fuzzier than the other.
The column is worth reading in full, but the closing lines really sum up my feelings on Tiger, too.
Nicklaus is waving his hands again, bent fingers punctuating the air with verve and passion. His joy in life is infectious, clear as he talked about his love of fishing, designing golf courses, the hospital visit he made with injured veterans on his way to Augusta and above all, the various athletic exploits of his 21 grandchildren and excitement for the impending arrival of No. 22.
Maybe it isn’t right to ask Tiger to change his stripes, and yet I find it impossible not to wish for this kind of future for him, one that puts work and home in proper balance, one that doesn’t define who he is by what he does. Nicklaus seemed to figure that out.
Now it’s Tiger’s turn.
Never mind 18 majors; that is the legacy to which he should aspire.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: The Masters
I've got some relatives who will just call each other up during the week before the event and simply say "A Tradition Unlike Any Other"*. Watching golf is best accompanied by some social activity, and lots of booze (dammit!). It's not really stand-alone entertainment.
And whatever you do, don't mention Tiger around Jay Nordlinger. Heart-ache.
* In deference to the NYT's silly, poorly-attended protest of Augusta, I propose the slogan be changed to "Iron My Shirt".
Jan '11
Re: The Masters
Just to note, there are a bunch of non-Tigers competing as well. Some of these guys have been flying under the radar because the media focuses on Tiger, but they're pretty good. I'm starting to like Bubba Watson, who can hit the ball a mile, but right now he has the Seve Ballesteros syndrome ... huge drive, second shot in the woods, miraculous third shot to within ten feet ... and maybe a saving putt. He's fun to watch because he gets in so much trouble, but unlike John Daly, he doesn't fall apart.
These other guys can be entertaining.
Sep '10
Re: The Masters
Tiger's in the Bill Clinton category; ie, always a giggle about what the fella's latest exploits are.
Oct '10
Re: The Masters
I LOVE the Masters tournament. And it will be a great pause to ignore the stupidity in Washington over a government shutdown. Go Phil !
May '10
Re: The Masters
Tiger will mellow with age. But right now he is one of the most if not the most focused people around. When he was asked about his kids, and friends, and the lighter side of life, his eyes light up and he smiled and laughed. When he was asked about his work, the switch flipped and he focused and it was a different story. Jack is retired and can talk about other things because that's his life now. Tiger is still working so that is his focus. I don't believe Jack was much different especially when he was wining a lot. Remember Arnie was much more liked than Jack because Arnie was more amiable and Jack only towards the end of his career and since retirement has he become really liked and that's because he was always focused on work.
Re: The Masters
Fair points. You may be right.
Dec '10
Re: The Masters
I love golf. I love watching golf. But I will ONLY watch the Masters from start to finish (thank you DVR!). There just isn't any other televised event quite like it. I will be rooting for Mickelson if for no other reason than he's the anti-Tiger. I have NOT enjoyed watching Tiger's rise (or fall) due to the fact that he's everything you don't want your kids to see in a golfer. He's hot headed, profane, tragically immoral (I pray for his children), and beyond cocky. Golf is a game that, IMHO, assumes good behavior especially in it's professionals. Tiger is/was a great player but a lousy (though rich) representative of the game. When he's playing in golf's cathedral, it only becomes more apparent. I hope he misses the cut if for no other reason than to eliminate the incessant blather about him from Jim Nantz.