By Andrew Jo
In his first one-to-one interviews since his November 27th car accident and subsequent fall from grace, Tiger Woods stood with ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi, and the Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman on March 21st and addressed a variety of questions ranging from the golfer’s personal life to his imminent return to competition at next month’s Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA.
While many in the sports world feel it is still Woods’ obligation to address a full media barrage rather than selected outlets, what Woods has done just three weeks prior to the PGA’s most recognized event is once again unnecessary. The public knows as much about Wood’s personal life, now, as it did prior to these interviews; exactly what it is entitled to: nothing.
In a way I applaud Tiger Woods. What he did to his family is undoubtedly despicable. What he has shown me, however, is that he is working with his family and keeping their affairs private. I respect that. Buckling to the media would be very easy right now as Woods is perhaps as vulnerable as we’ve ever seen a professional athlete. He’s been backed into a dark corner by the media, his peers, and his sponsors, all sides demanding an explanation for his behavior. Woods has issued his apology, however sincere, now it is time to let the man mend his life back together. Many pieces of Woods have fallen apart since that November day, but his poise under pressure is still evident.
I am not an avid golf follower, but I look forward to seeing Tiger Woods back on the PGA tour. I hope that finding the right mix of support, religion, and therapy also bring Woods’ family life back together, and that with a renewed focal point he can assemble the fractured image his infidelity has cost him. Tiger will never again be the golden boy. His image will always carry with it a certain scar. But like all that have drifted towards the temptations their star afforded, he deserves this second chance.
How did you perceive Tiger’s recent interviews? Is Tiger’s return at the Masters ill timed, or an appropriate venue? How do you think Tiger’s peers will react to seeing him back on the course?
