Tiger's Tantrums

Tiger Woods may be the most recognizable, most watched athlete in the world. He has been in the public eye since age two when he appeared on the Mike Douglas show, and his accomplishments over the last decade and a half may never be equalled. However, even if he didn't have the eyes of every young golf fan trained on his every move, his behavior is far too often far too childish. Because he is Tiger Woods, nearly everyone looks the other way or calls his churlish displays "passion." Both the media's blindness and Tiger's antics must stop. The game of golf demands better.

With no Jim McKay or Jack Whitaker left in sports broadcasting, the obligatory major tournament recap essay has become sheer torture for this viewer. Between the poor writing and the poor speaking of the Jimmy Robertses of the world, the usual recap holds one's interest about as well as a white sale at Sears. So, imagine my surprise when Rick Reilly, during an essay on Tom Watson following ABC's coverage of the British Open, contrasted Watson's gentlemanly behavior with the petulance of Tiger Woods. It was a direct and pointed criticism of Tiger issued at a time when he nowhere near the story line. Reilly, it seemed, was looking for a fight.

Now, I've never really cared for Rick Reilly. Aside from the entertaining Who's Your Caddy?, his writing has never interested me. However, I was impressed by his recent calling out of Woods. I have no recollection of a similarly prominent piece that illustrates Tiger's lack of professionalism. Many before have said Tiger has not done enough for racial equality, social justice and the like, but those articles were short-sighted, foolish and ephemeral. Through the work of the Tiger Woods Foundation, Tiger will make significant contributions to children's and educational issues for years to come and will likely have a greater impact than any of his critics.

However, as Reilly points out, once he steps on the golf course, Tiger is far from a good role model. Like any observer of the game, I admire the man's ability to hit golf shots and win events. But I, too, am sick of the incessant cussing, the club throwing, the histrionics and the aggressive behavior. I don't like watching it and I don't like thinking about the young people watching his every move who will come to believe that such behavior is appropriate on the golf course or in life. At this point in his career, I believe Tiger's behavior has begun to taint his achievements.

Bobby Jones once said, "Sometimes the game of golf is just too difficult to endure with a golf club in your hands." Yet, in tournament play Jones bested his temper and became one of the finest gentleman golfers the game has known. Like so many successful professionals, Arnold Palmer tells a story of how a stern warning from his father forever rectified his behavior on the golf course. Every golfer, no matter his skill level, must come to terms with frustration. The battle within, the struggle to control thoughts and emotions, is an important part of the game of golf. For many, it is the most difficult skill to cultivate. It is also the skill that says the most about a golfer and the skill that is most extensible to life beyond the links. It may be the one golf skill Tiger has not mastered.

Tiger has shown great focus in winning golf tournaments. He is currently without peer in that regard. Should he use the same focus to right his childish behavior, he will surely go down in history as the game's best. He is a great winner. Can he be a great golfing gentleman as well?