Tiger...friend or foe?????

[3Bogey]

Did anybody pick up on Tigers mini tirade on caddie Steve Williams when he botched his approach shot on 17. He was actually blaming him for calling a supposedly downwind shot that didn't carry. Hey, I know it was in the heat of the moment, but come on Tiger, you pulled the trigger.... take a little accountability!! You could even sense after his comments that Stevie wasn't pleased with his little tantrum. Little by little, I'm seeing another side of Tiger that is just pushing me towards the Mickelson fan club. I used to really admire Tiger, he has done some really charitable things off the course which to me defines his character, but lately I'm seeing a typical arrogant athlete who if things don't go his way on the golf course, he can't handle it. He refuses to talk to the media when things don't go his way, swears like a parrot, and can't really give credit when credit is due, case in point Zack Johnson winning the Masters. It was a loose offhand compliment for what Johnson did indicating in a politically correct tone that the course conditions and weather are really what prompted someone like Johnson to win, which probably is true, but come on show a little more respect for a guy that kicked your butt on the final round of the Masters. I know there are alot of Tiger fans out there but you have to admit his attitude at times is a little questionable. Then again maybe that arrogance is why he has been so successful. I just think guys that are a little more humble win over fans in the end, which probably really isn't that important to Tiger at the end of the day.

[warbirdlover]

Yeah, I thought that sucked and that he was chewing out Steve but then the media changed it like he was just making a comment on the shot and not what his caddie advised him which confused me. I knew I heard (and took) that right the first time!

I guess when you pay someone mega bucks to caddie for you it let's you rip him for your mistakes. I lost alot of respect for him on that comment. I hope Steve has the balls to have a little discussion with him about that.

But he's married now. That might account for his "crabby" attitude.

[gwlee7]

All will be well between them the next time Tiger needs Stevie to take out a photographer for him.

[Bravo]

I heard the comment to Stevie loud and clear...even played it back on the Tivo.

He expects a lot from his caddie and he made a comment in the heat of the moment. In the corporate world, I hear this kind of shit all the time.

I am not defending him. His is NOT a Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player or Arnold Palmer in terms of deportment....but he undoubtedly was 'wearing out the employee with this little snide remark"....

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by 3Bogey

Little by little, I'm seeing another side of Tiger that is just pushing me towards the Mickelson fan club.

Wow - this is so uncanny. I used to be anti-Phil thought he was putting on a show etc (I "guess" that's the word on tour - what do I care - I'm not on tour)... anyhow sorry about the tangent there... anyhow - I'm loving Phil now, cheering for him all the time etc. His game is fantastic and very exciting, I think he has more potential than anyone out there, he just seems to have a cold putter or hits big blocks

I love the way he has handled himself in the media too, especially with all of the scrutiny following the Winged Foot fiasco last June. He really put Kostis on the spot after that absolutely atrocious question also... I loved it.

[BigJim13]

I guess I missed something. I heard the comment but didnt think it was directed at Stevie in a negative way. "Honestly, what the hell just happened there", I have said that a dozen times a day on any number of golf courses. I think you guys may be taking it the wrong way. I took this comment much the same way I took Monty saying "what kinda shot was that" on the 18th at winged foot last year. No big deal...

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by VtDivot

I love the way he has handled himself in the media too, especially with all of the scrutiny following the Winged Foot fiasco last June. He really put Kostis on the spot after that absolutely atrocious question also... I loved it.

Agreed...he has comported himself beautifully regardless of how poorly he played or whatever "Rub of the Green" encounters he has had.

Certainly blowing Eldrick Woods away in terms of really being honest and real...

[Sean]

I can't hate him for this, even if he did rip his caddy a new one.

If I had that much pressure on me and that kinda money waitin on me I'd probably have taken someone out if I hit a bunker. A small woodland creature at the very least. I woulda gone all tribal, wearing a squirrel corpse on my head and covering my naked body with war paint and forever haunting Augusta, stealing balls from the fairway and refilling holes and planting grass in the bunkers.

But then I don't do well under pressure.

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by VtDivot

I love the way he has handled himself in the media too, especially with all of the scrutiny following the Winged Foot fiasco last June. He really put Kostis on the spot after that absolutely atrocious question also... I loved it.

"Just for the record, neither do I"....

Kostis, what a dink...

R35

[Rockford35]

If you paid me what Steve makes, you could say that to me once a round. I'd take it and worry about it later while driving my Porsche Carerra GT....

Hitting the shot fat wasn't Stevie's fault, Tigger...

R35

[3Bogey]

I guess I missed something. I heard the comment but didnt think it was directed at Stevie in a negative way. "Honestly, what the hell just happened there", I have said that a dozen times a day on any number of golf courses.

Yeh you must have missed his comment right after that......."You said it was down wind!!!". There was no question it was directed toward Stevie. I'm sure Stevie has heard it before but when he see's himself getting chewed out out on national television it may sting a little. Can you believe the media though and how they protect Tiger. Players and fans can say what they want about Johnny Miller but you can bet that comment wouldn't have been laid to rest the way Faldo and Nance put it to bed......... as well as all his buddies at the golf channel.

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by 3Bogey

Yeh you must have missed his comment right after that......."You said it was down wind!!!". There was no question it was directed toward Stevie. I'm sure Stevie has heard it before but when he see's himself getting chewed out out on national television it may sting a little. Can you believe the media though and how they protect Tiger. Players and fans can say what they want about Johnny Miller but you can bet that comment wouldn't have been laid to rest the way Faldo and Nance put it to bed......... as well as all his buddies at the golf channel.

I think this might be made out to be a little more than it is. Tiger was soiling the sheets a bit then, and needed a vent. Stevie was there. I doubt he took it personally.

The guys at the GC just needed an out because their boy didn't win. I was sickened that Johnson wins the Masters, and all the GC was talking about was how Tiger DIDN'T win.

R35

[warbirdlover]

I heard him (looking at Stevie) say "what the hell (heck?) was that? You said it was downwind"!! very "a**hol*y"... Steve has bucks already from Eldrick. If I was Steve I would have came back as "you need to change your swing again!". I'd love that...

I'm with you guys on the media making more of Tiger's losing then Johnson winning. It's so obvious. They interviewed Tiger longer then Zach. I hope Tiger doesn't win another major for a year and a half just to shut those guys up.

I don't dislike Tiger for being good and being famous. I dislike the media for turning him into some god and totally ignoring the rest of the tour. Maybe they'd just like for Tiger to play the tourneys all by himself....

[OmegaG5]

Originally Posted by 3Bogey

Yeh you must have missed his comment right after that......."You said it was down wind!!!". There was no question it was directed toward Stevie.

Yes... and it wasn't said nicely either.
I thought that it was interesting that the TV producer immediately cut to a shot of the flag, and showed it to be well and truly blowing down wind.

R.

[Sandpiper3]

Man, he's human. Cmon, some of you guys are talking about him like he's a god and be perfect everytime out. He's not playing his best golf and he's visibly frustrated, plus Stevie is easily THE BEST caddie in the game and that was a brutal mistake from him to add to Tigger not hitting the best shot.

Obv. struggling with his iron game which is different, but everyone is guna struggle once in awhile and get frustrated, especially when playing at such a high level. Chill on the "im losing respect for the guy" crap.