This is his first salvo. Perhaps it signals an end to the reports of transgressions, perhaps not. Perhaps it means we wont care as much about future reports of transgressions. That might be the intent. This is a media circus folks, to understand it you must think like they do. Any browser getting Tiger hits is increasing market share and selling ads, finally, after a long cold summer. Tiger is fighting back Kung Fu style, using their own power against them. He is using their medium to communicate his own message. One that is as sensational or hopefuly more so than theirs. He is trying to take control.

Is he sincere? Yes, he will be out "indefineatly". Whatever that means. I'd like to announce that I too will also be out indefineatly, until the snow melts, whenever that is. The court of public opinion is hearing its first submission from the defense. Is it pathetic? We all remember Tigers "winces" afterall. That is up to the individual viewer to decide.

Stay tuned. Cause thats what they really want us to do. Until it gets boring and they move on to something else.

Jeez do I sound jaded? Its not like I believe in conspricacy theories or anything. "Just follow the money". "Rosebud". "Foreget it Jake this is Chinatown". "Im mad as hell and Im not going to take it anymore". Perhaps we've been here before but we just dont realize it yet.

Hopefully this gets boring really quickly.

The Comeback Kid
 

Tiger's statement is as contrite as it is succinct. A world-class 'mea culpa' with only the "I" word -- Infidelity -- serving as chum for an insatiable media and its public. We who care can only hope it is sincere and not just "the best money can buy".

My guess is he will bypass the first eleven tournaments of the year (including two WGC events) and, with two weeks remaining before The Masters, defend at Bay Hill. Penance done, we will witness the hometown 'Welcome back, Tiger' in a heartfelt moment of absolution with The King -- The People's Choice -- Arnie.

Perhaps just a warm handshake.

More likely, the handshake and a respectful armhold.

Maybe even the armhold followed by a hug.

For better or for worse, it will be the most anticipated sports photo-op of the year, if not the decade.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts . . .

-- Shakespeare
As You Like It

:salut:

ahh...its just a smokescreen cause Tiger needs some extra time after getting wiped by Phil the last two tourneys they played in (Tour Championship and HSBC)

OMG, you guys are good!!!!!!!!!!! Way ahead of my naivete. I've been played so much this past week I feel like a worn deck of cards.

Domino One
 

This just in from The Wall Street Journal News Alerts:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1260...=djemalertNEWS

Here we learn that Accenture -- whose full-wall Tiger ads decorate every airport concourse I enter in this country and abroad -- has removed his photo from their web page, on which it appeared as recently as yesterday. No comment from either camp.

The wagons circle . . .

From the PGA TOUR:

"We fully support Tiger's decision to step away from competitive golf to focus on his family. His priorities are where they need to be, and we will continue to respect and honor his family's request for privacy. We look forward to Tiger's return to the PGA TOUR when he determines the time is right for him."

From his agent, Mark Steinberg:

"As his agent and friend, I stand fully behind Tiger and support his decision wholeheartedly. What Tiger and his family need now is time away and private space so that they can recover from all that’s happened and try to restore some well-being to their lives.

The entirety of someone’s life is more important than just a professional career. What matters most is a young family that is trying to cope with difficult life issues in a secluded and caring way. Whenever Tiger may return to the game should be on the family’s terms alone.

Although there has been considerable inquiry about Tiger’s sponsorships, it would be both premature and inappropriate to comment on the status of specific business relationships. Suffice it to say, we have had thoughtful conversations and his sponsors have been open to a solution-oriented dialogue. Of course, each sponsor has unique considerations and ultimately the decisions they make we would fully understand and accept."

Building on the 'shoulders of giants', Tiger singlehandedly has been responsible for the most dramatic surge in public golf interest and professional golf earnings in the history of the game. His untimely moral demise has epic financial consequences for an already economically-besieged industry.

Golf is bigger than Tiger, no question.

But, for the moment, it's 'batten down the hatches' for the PGA TOUR, television networks, tournament sponsors, Wall Street advertisers and last, but certainly not least, Tiger Woods Enterprises.

It will take some time, but barring an unforegiveable transgression, it will pass as all things do. But we will remember.

Time Heals
 

Assuming Tiger makes a world class execution as we all hope the fallen hero does, he will emerge in 18 months with his stained garments sufficiently cleaned for the general public. (Disregard any Presidential references).

Kudos to the handlers because moral issues aside, the sport can't afford to lose him.

I wouldn't want to be in his shoes for a billion dollars.

I can't go to SC no more dude to an "accident" at the sewage treatment plant . . . my ole lady is from NC . . . just 2 toofus short of a full set too . . .

Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?

With Tiger out, it's a perfect time for Gay, Williamson, and Lancaster to kick some a**. LBG can rule the world! :)

:golf:

Kevin

guys why exactly did tiger leave butch harmon and join up with hank?

was it different opinions or $$ or something else.i know someone here knows the truth.

the reason why i'm asking is because while he was with butch everything was falling into place nicely and why try to fix something when its not broken as ben johnson the canadian track stars coach would say!

There were reports in the news papers that Tiger was unhappy with Butch teaching other tournament players (Darren Clark was one of them) and offered him a contract which meant he would have to give up teaching other players. Butch declined and there was a parting of the ways.

There was one account, cant remember from where or when, that said Tiger and Butch had reached a dead end after failing to solve his problem with "getting stuck". The final attempt being an effort to speed up his arms to catch up.

But in light of the current affair and given the speculative nature of reporting, the truth may be that only those two guys know for sure. Or maybe only Tiger. Butch is obviously a fine teacher.

X-man, if you are into track and Hitting there is a fella here you need to meet, if you havent already. Our own YodasLuke aka Ted Fort former track star and Hitting Machine fine tuner par excellence, sans parallel. He would understand your track related incremental training regime, he has referred to it before and related it to his own personal golf training. Spent one month in Basic for instance (as a pro).

OB thanks a million.i attended UH under supervision of carl lewis' coach named tom tellez

ill PM yodasluke asap

X I dont know if your learning the game or relearning it but you are saving yourself a significant amount of time, with your approach. Wish I could get my own wasted golf years, decades back.

Let the record show that we were over 170 posts into this thread before the first thread jack transgression. Is the Tiger story losing steam?

OB i'm playing golf consistantly since this feb and its great.for my birthday my wife made me join a club so i had no excuses.so currently off 9 and learning how to be a great and consistant golfer.i'm 33 and want to turn some heads next year.

in reference to age.....its only a figure but when i met my last pro for a lesson i said to him why did i not take up this game earlier!!! he laughed at me and said i'm still a kid.since then i got in touch with a TGM instructor and 2nd lesson with him next tuesday.

No, but some of the curiosity has been satisfied. But now I'm curious to see how this scheme unravels. No doubt, it'll be carefully planned and orchestrated. I'm sure that he'll manipulate the press and anyone else to his advantage. It will also be interesting if he separates himself from his current enablers and what staff changes he'll make (or allow).

"Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive!"

Yep,

It does come out a little to well manicured for a heartfelt confession.

I hope for his own sake that he is mentally prepared and capable of making the amendments. As for turning the corner I think it would be wise to stay away longer rather than shorter. If he comes back to the Masters in good form it will only signal that he has altered the preparations and not his priorities.

He may also be able twist the media and the public around his little finger if plays his cards right.

Instead of returning in due time for the Masters he could say something like: "We need more time.I'll be back, but I don't know when."

Then - as the Open was getting near and every golf soul was holding their breath he could repeat the message. Just without the "I'll be back" part.

As the US Open was getting nearer he could reflect on his past curent and future life like this:

"Competitive golf has been a very important part of my life since I was a kid. And my golfing carreer have been rewarding beyond my dreams in most aspects. There's only one goal left for me and I think you all know what I am talking about.

Jack was an incredible performer for an incredible long duration. And I know better than most golfers what it takes to stay on top of the game year in year out. It is really, really hard. And this knowledge just makes Jack's achevements even more admirable.

One thing is the focus and dedication, and drive and energy that is required on the course. But it is also very difficult to be a top athlete and still give friends and family the attention and the care that they deserve. Jack seemed to be excellent at that part to, but it's no secret that I haven't performed equally well in that regard. My family have taken their toll while I've been 100% focused on being a top athlete for several years now.

Right now family life is good and I enjoy being a husband and a father above all else. While the competitive fire is still burning it is not as strong as it used to be. The priorities have changed somehow. And besides I can't say that I miss all the hard work an dedication that is required to perform at the top.

There is only one more big goal left for me on the course, and that is to win more majors than Jack did. My wife has given me the green light, but I don't know if I am willing to make the commitments and family sacrifices that are implied. Besides, you can't go out there and play for a good resume. You have to go out there and have a strong desire to win each single time. I am playing recreational golf regularly and I haven't quit on my workout regime either. There is a chance that I will play a couple of competitions during fall & winter season just to clarify my priorities. If the desire to compete on the top level returns to full strength I'll be back on the tour with 100% commitment. This time with the added challenge of finding a better balance between family life and life as competitive golfer.

But if I it doesn't happen I'll always be greatful for what I've acheved in my golfing career. It won't be the end of the world you know. There are other things in life that is more important than golf.

I wish you all the best bla-bla-bla.....

...........

Then of course he should feed the rumours with contradictory maybes and maybe not's while he prepared for 2011 Masters :-)

By the time he announces his return to the 2011 Masters he will have the world by his feet: "Hello World! I'm back"

A little bit too much maybe :toothy1:

Back In the Race
 

Interesting, BerntR. We're a year apart on this one.

You may be right -- and we both may be wrong -- but . . .

I think the sooner Tiger climbs back on the 'horse what brung him', the better.

Three months in the 'dog house' is long enough: There are way too many people depending on a resolution to this 'problem'. Nobody, including his family, is well-served dragging this thing out.

Not to mention the fragility of an athlete's 'dog years'; the now-in-reach challenge of Jack's eighteen major championships; and the fact that Tiger Woods does not know the meaning of 'quit'.

Just do it . . .

Right?

:salut:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avU2aarQUiU

by Allahpundit

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nationa...WEl7DP8lFvRayM

One Down . . .
 

This just hit my WSJ News Alerts:

"BREAKING NEWS: Accenture will end its [six year] sponsorship of Tiger Woods, saying he is "no longer the right representative."

Well, there ya go.

:(

I sense there will be more of this, which begs the question:

Is Tiger still trying to find "bottom"?

Hi oh!

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/a...d=126073888 1

I don't think he will do as I suggested. I am not sure whether such a drama can be produced at will either. I will look forward to see him on the course sooner rather than later. I was just starting to think what if....

Although everyone is really angry at him at the moment he has a strong hand. If he plays his cards right he will be embraced by the golf world when he returns.

In all the articles I have read there has been no real mention of how and why his close team stood for this nonsense and were complicit in his infidelities .Although there was an article where a girl claimed that she was approached by one of Tiger's representatives and given a card with a telephone number and told to ring it because Tiger fancied her. Tiger did not arrange the flight and accommodation details for various mistresses to hook up with him at tournaments. His close team presumably did this and there must have been an enormous amount of planning and organising involved. It also makes me think there must have been many attempts by his team to suppress leakage to the press prior to the latest scandals. This shows a real cynical arrogance and a huge amount of control over what must be a yes man team. Anyone with any morality with his real interests at heart would not have stood for this behaviour and would have pointed out it would lead to disaster. This scandal makes me think people like that were fired long ago and Tiger has surrounded himself with some low life yes men. Regardless of the infidelities it raises some serious questions about the team he collected about him.

Unintended Consequences
 

All in the enabling camp are now at risk. The 'new broom' must sweep clean.

Does this include Stevie, Tiger's 'main man' and hands-on protector from the public-at-large?

:confused1

One thing's for sure:

Many sacrificial lambs -- both willing and unwilling -- will be presented at the altar that is the TW Franchise.

:(

Williams said today he was clueless any of this was going on....I find that hard to believe.

There's a interesting thought, scape goats.

Stevie has addressed the Kiwi press with assertions that he knew nothing and that Tiger has a "problem" of some sorts. The first admission of such by anyone associated with Tiger. Yes Stevie is that good at being political , remember the Phil thing.

A "problem" sort of like say a juvenile Alexander Portnoy with a billion dollars to spend on solving his complaint? The Brits would just call Tiger a "Wanker" I'd venture.

He has transcended, his dad was right after all, but I dont think he passed Gandhi in the process. Pee Wee Herman maybe but not Gandhi.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/31...ks-his-silence

Clueless In New Zealand
 

Wow . . . hadn't seen this, O.B., or any other 'Stevie' mention.

Guess I'm at the end of a very long line.

P.S. When he trots out his P.M. "prick" incident as a badge of 'honor', the barrel is being scraped pretty low:

"I am a straight-up sort of person. I tell it like it is," Williams said.

"Last year, at the same particular point of time, is when I had the confrontation with Phil Mickleson [the world's No 2 ranked golfer]. I didn't lie about it – I called the guy a prick.

"I never said I didn't call him a prick. I never denied one word of what I said.

"I had no knowledge of what Tiger's indiscretion was. And for Rick Reilly to turn around and say that I am a liar and there is no way I couldn't know – and that I should be fired – that is sensational journalism at its height right there.

"I am an honest person. I had no knowledge of what was going on [with Tiger]. If I did, I would say I did."

I wonder how Tiger or his advisers feel about Stevie's "problem" admission. It might be strike two for Stevie, if the Phil comment was strike one. But Tiger is the umpire on this count, so who knows?

The Locker Room
 

O.B., I luv ya, man, but please . . .

These guys -- as famous and as talented as they may be -- are, at end of the day, "the jock straps . . . the equipment".

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/fea..._dallas_forty/

They rule as long as they serve.

"We keep you alive to serve this ship.

Row well . . . and live."

-- Quintas Arius to the Galley Slave Judah Ben Hur
Ben Hur

Stevie's a 'one-off'.

And, in TW Homeland Security crisis mode Red/Severe . . .

Collateral damage.

The sooner he gets this behind him, the better (for him). I think Arnie's tournament would be a good start. I am sure Mr. Palmer will make it known to the marshalls and fans that no obnoxious behavior will be tolerated. You KNOW people will be shouting out some rude things to him and he will have to be even more focused than usual. And having been to Augusta National x 3 for practice rounds, I can safely say no one will utter anything unusual or they will be quietly escorted from the premises. The shame, for him, will be knowing that no one will ever look at him the same. I hope his wife and children can hold up through this humiliation.
I will watch him again, no doubt with much interest, but it will be the same as slowing down on the highway to check out a bad accident.

Arnie won't allow to be used that way.

Yah, thats harsh but true. We all row on our own ship I guess, such is work life. We serve and then we die or vice a versa. "No one is bigger than the game."

Stevie given all of his remarks would be wise not to pursue a second career in politics.

And the hole just got deeper . . . .

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/mistress_romp_as_father_died_hxVt1ZiFSS7vp14SiUsDM I

The Dr Galea story is starting to make headlines in the States I see. Here is some more info.


http://www.thestar.com/sports/articl...ed-by-fbi?bn=1

hard to believe she would make that up....I can't believe the depth to this fall from grace.

the link above wouldn't suprise me one bit.track is destroyed with drugs and the elite are always 10 years ahead of the testers.i could talk about this topic all day.

now drugs enhancers in golf......not suprised either.i'm also suprised you didn't hear the drug "deca" metioned also for rehab.HGH has been around since arnies day but one thing for sure is=where theres money involved in a sport there will always be cheating FACT!

i was never really a tiger fan nut more a retief goosen fan but how stupid can a man be.awe well we are all human but not all stupid

I'm making travel arrangements for Toronto, Canada. Maybe their Health-care system needs a further look into?

His motto should be: "One of my shots will save three of yours".:)

Daryl,

toronto has 1 of the best track coaches ever named charlie francis whom coached the fastest and probably 1 of the greatest sprinters ever-ben johnson.both still live in toronto.

i wish i could turn back time:crybaby: