Reporter Jim Gray confronted U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin yesterday after Pavin tweeted, “For the record, @golfchannel and Jim Gray has misquoted me re: picking Tiger. I never said such a thing and will not say a thing until 09/07.” Diminutive Gray confronted Pavin after a Ryder Cup press conference hosted by Pavin and European Captain Colin Montgomerie. Gray accused Pavin of being a liar, poked his chest and let Pavin know he was “going down.” Pavin isn’t the biggest guy around, but I bet it took all he could do to not cold cock Gray right on the spot. Has Gray’s head inflated even larger after hosting “The Decision” with LeBron James?
Tiger Woods Talks
February 19, 2010 by
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Today Tiger Woods finally broke his silence about his “transgressions” that have been revealed over the last few months. A lot will be said over the coming days and many will analyze his statements until we all are sufficiently sick of hearing about it.
But here is what I want to know…do Tiger’s words even really matter?
I mean what he did and what he will do in the future do not affect me in any way what so ever. Other than the fact that we now know he is not the person we thought him to be, what he is doing to fix his personal life means nothing to mine. To be honest if he never spoke or played golf again I am certain I would not lose one moment of sleep over it.
However, on hearing he was going to face the world – I along with millions of others – did stop what I was doing to listen to the man speak. Why I wonder did we all just do that?
Was I hoping to hear some scandalous details about his affairs? – Nope, I couldn’t care less.
Was I needing to know if he would be playing golf again? – I would be miffed if he was.
Or am I just another accident rubber-necking yahoo looking to see if I could see some carnage? – No sir…ok…maybe a little.
What I did find myself thinking during his press conference was that there was a part of me that wanted to know – could we admire this person again one day? Would we want our children to aspire to be like him?
I started this post with a well know adaptation of a popular bible verse. Not because I think we should forgive Tiger Woods or any other individual that breaks our collective, but because I think we owe it to ourselves to allow these people an opportunity to right their wrongs.
Tiger made a big mistake and hurt is family in a major way. Like it or not he has also hurt millions of people around the world who aspired to be like him. So now in addition to trying to heal his family he has an obligation to mend his relationship with his fans. That is part of the deal when you become a beloved public figure as he had. That part of fame comes with a pretty hefty price tag.
It is his to win or lose – we owe him nothing…except the opportunity to make us believe he is the man we thought he was again.
In this case I think I will watch and see what he does – off the course. If he is true to his word and he returns to his roots to find his “center” then I think I might do as he asked and “believe in him again.”
The Players Championship
May 5, 2009 by
We are two days away from the start of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, so now it’s time to go out on a limb and pick a favorite to win this year’s event. Hopefully it won’t be as hard as picking the Kentucky Derby!!
Tiger Woods – You would think that the 2001 Players Championship winner would be a pretty safe bet…wouldn’t you? Consider this – Tiger does not have a single top 10 finish in this event since his win, his best finish being a tie for 11th. Add in there is current struggles on the tee box and well…it doesn’t exactly lead me to believe that this is his year. But then again, I’m not one who is willing to bet against Tiger..no matter the situation.
Phil Mickleson – What does Phil have to do to get respect? Everyone thought it was to win a major and he’s obviously done that. But I was watching a report on the golf channel the other night and they asked several pros if Phil was number one in the rankings would they consider him to the best player in golf? The answer…unanimously was…NO!!! Poor Phil. Even though he is at the top of his game right now, this isn’t going to be his year to win again.
Sean O’Hair – Last week’s winner at Quail Hollow will find it tough to go back to back, despite his strong record at TPC Sawgrass. Unfortunately I don’t even see a top 10 in his future this weekend.
Zach Johnson – Zach had the lead going into Sunday at Quail Hollow before the proverbially wheels came off the bus early in the round. Look for Zach to make a good run at this year’s championship.
Sergio Garcia – The
defending champion beat Paul Goydos in a playoff last year after not having any finish better than 15th prior to last year’s event. To date Sergio has not had a finish better than 13th. Could we see a repeat?
Anthony Kim – Did you see the Masters in April? 11…count ’em…11 birdies in one round. Kim has great skill and a killer putter. Look for him to be up front early, but he will drop back on Sunday as he does most of the time.
There are a whole bunch of other players who…on any day could have the weekend of their life and walk away with one of golfs most coveted trophies. But as promised, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict this year’s winner….drum roll please….
The winner of the 2009 Players Championship is…….Zach Johnson!
Ok..Ok…not exactly out on a limb.
Zach looked impressive through most of the Quail Hollow Championship. He’s a solid player who is currently ranked 7th on the money list. You know he has to be hungry after letting last weekend slip through his hands.