Tiger Woods speaks
After 85 days of turmoil, and questions from the world of sports and the world in general, Tiger Woods has spoken and offered a broad apology to his friends, family, associates and his fans about his “irresponsible behavior” and past attitudes.
Tiger spoke about how he felt that normal rules did not apply to him and that his fame and money allowed him to do whatever he wanted to, and not what he was expected to do. He seemed very humble, and in-fact, more humble than I suspect he has ever been in his life. Tiger “Felt Entitled” and said that as part of a behavioral change, he will live a life of integrity in the future.
In respect to the allegations of domestic violence by his wife Elin, Tiger said there was never an incident of such by his wife, and made a plea to the media about them being wrong in creating a story such as that. He also criticized the media for following his 2 ½ year old child to school and giving the location of that school. He went on to say that he and his wife have a lot to talk about and that would be kept private. According to Tiger, his wife has said that she will accept his apology not just through words but by his behavior.
In respect to golf, Tiger said he would hope to return to golf when the time is right and when he does, he would return and be more respectful to the game. He has been criticized by players, including Tom Watson, about how he has acted not just off the golf course, but on the course. Apparently Tiger has been listening to some of his critics. Another issue that Tiger addressed were the rumors that he had used performance enhancing drugs and said that there was no truth to those rumors.
Tiger offered an apology to his fellow players and asked for them to be patient with him and also cited the timing of the apology was not meant to deflect from the important golf event going on in Arizona. The theme of the event seemed to be more about his recovery from apparent addictions and not about golf or promoting himself.
Tiger spoke about being raised as a Buddhist and that he has drifted away from that up-bringing and he intimated that he would go back to some of those beliefs. After the 14- minute presentation, that did not include questions, he hugged his mother, and a couple of friends including Notah Begay, the only PGA Tour player evident in the audience. John Cook and Mark O’Meara were invited to attend but both were playing in a Champions Tour event.
It seemed interesting that his Wife Elin was not in the audience and Tiger did not appear to be wearing a wedding ring. Tiger stated that after already completing 45 days of therapy, he would return to therapy the day after this presentation, held at PGA-Tour headquarters.
In a bit of irony, the Tiger Woods camp prepared the meeting to be covered by one TV camera that would broadcast to the outlets that wanted to carry it, and that camera feed failed about mid-way. After that point, a second camera covered the talk, but it was a side view and not the full-face view of Tiger.
The talk seemed scripted and well prepared, but it did seem to be sincere and he was humble in saying several times that he was sorry. There has been criticism that the scheduling of the apology was odd, with it being on the Friday of the World Championship Match Play event sponsored by a former sponsor of Tiger Woods. Apparently, the timing was made because of the one week break Tiger was given from his therapy.
It is hard to think that Tiger will not be back on the golf tour, and he left that open to speculation. It is reported that he made a call to officials with the Masters asking for them to understand and would hope they would invite him back. Even though he has won that prestigious major golf championship, it is still an invitation that he needs to get back to Augusta National. They have apparently said he would be welcomed back.
At this time, I would speculate that he will play at least one event prior to the Masters, and then make his major return at Augusta. Getting back to playing golf may be the best thing for him. Letting his clubs do the talking through his performance on course can then be what people will remember him by.
Tap In Solutions, Inc