The much anticipated return of Tiger Woods to the game of golf seemed to have arrived with much less hoopla than expected. That is not to say that Woods' return was not newsworthy. It may have something to do with the fact that the manufacturers of hoopla were kept outside the gates. Augusta National is the Fort Knox of golf, keeping the riff-raff at an armoured arms-length.
I haven't spent too much blogging time devoted to Tiger Woods. This is in part because I'm not quite sure what to do with the whole issue. I am a fan of Tiger Woods the golfer. The first time I saw him play was during the defense of his US Amateur title. I had never watched an amateur golf tournament before (and actually not since) but I was immediately struck by Tiger's resolve, focus and skill. It was clear, even then, that Tiger was destined to turn the golfing world on its ear.
Did he ever.
A year after turning pro, Woods would win his first major tournament, the Masters. In the process he set twenty Masters records and tied six more. He was the youngest golfer to win the tournament at only 22, and the first African American to wear the green jacket. Golf would never be the same.
Since then, Woods has racked up 71 PGA Tour victories, 38 European tour victories, among others. Included in these wins, 14 majors and three career grand slams (winning all four majors).
Tiger Woods had come to personify excellence in sport. His public image was one of control and determination. He was comfortable with the camera. He was at ease with interviewers and would often flash that thousand watt smile to charm his audience.
Tiger Woods the person was, and still is, something of an enigma. As someone who followed his career on the course it was hard to know what went on in his personal life. We were somewhat familiar with his relationship to his parents, his father Earl in particular. His marriage to Elin Nordegren may have caught many by surprise. Woods had such a high profile it seemed hard to imagine he could be in a relationship without the whole world knowing. It certainly didn't strike many as being a great romantic affair. But what did we know? Woods kept a tight lid on everything to do with his personal life.
Did he ever.
The revelations of Woods' indiscretions are about as dizzying as his professional golf record. Less surprising now is why Tiger was so protective of his life off the fairways. What is not clear is how things got so horribly out of control.
I'm not going to be joining in a long line of Woods' apologists. His record-setting philandering will be something he and he alone will have to answer for. Nonetheless, there was something self-destructive about his behaviour. He admitted in his stilted press statement in February that he felt entitled to take and do whatever he wanted. For most of us with real-world everyday responsibilities such a statement could only be made by someone out of touch with reality.
The privilege of his position matched with unparalleled adoration from sports fans of all generations created the perfect storm. Tiger met every lofty expectation with spectacular poise and ability. It was almost as if he wasn't even human. Perhaps he even thought so himself. As the number of secretive affairs grew, Woods must have known he was in danger of undermining everything he had worked for. But he didn't stop, perhaps he couldn't stop. Each successfully hidden liaison only increased his insatiable appetite for more.
Some have been critical of Wood's mea culpa as being hollow, more a result of the fact that he got caught. Well, of course he had to come clean after being caught. Like anyone else who has engaged in self-destructive behaviour, eventually you are going to either hit rock bottom or be called out by your peers.
As Tiger returns to golf, I will be watching like many other fans. This time it will be different. Woods' challenge is much greater than what awaits him on the fairways and greens. He will also be accompanied by his personal demons on display for the world. Perhaps, for the first time, Tiger will understand that being human is not about being entitled and more about earning each and every step with humility.
Time will tell if I will ever become a fan of Tiger Woods the person.
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