Tiger Woods is done, repeat, done

May 11

Tiger Woods is done, repeat, done

There has always been a great problem for sportswriters when it comes to Tiger Woods. The “Tiger Conundrum” as we call it, means that Tiger is to be praised effusively when doing good, and praised effusively when he doesn’t do as good.

To put it into simple, day-to-day words - Tiger Woods is Barack Obama, with the exception of being able to land a 1-iron on a nickel from 300 yards out. Basically, like Obama, all sins are rendered moot, because for god’s sake, it’s Tiger Woods we’re talking about.

But this is why media giants like The New York Times are starting to fold like 99-Cent stores. It’s time to keep it real, people. And I will start:

Tiger Woods is finished as the best golfer in the world. Done. Kaput.

In fact, to be fair & balanced in regard to all the gushing stories about Woods over the years, I feel I may even have to crank this up a notch - Tiger Woods is finished as a golfer, and will likely end up in jail.

Now, I understand that Woods has already won a tournament since his comeback from serious knee surgery. That he’s playing as well as he is now is actually a tribute to his greatness. But it would be neither fair nor balanced to express it as such.

Because, even in the hallowed confines of this blog, I have kneeled at the gate of Tiger, going as far as calling him “Greatest Athlete Ever.”

I’m not saying that I take those words back, mind you. I’m still pretty impressed by young Eldrick, and all. But I’m just trying to keep the hyperbole pendulum as close to even as I can.

So I say again: After his collapse at The Players Championship, Tiger Woods is finished as a golfer. His mental and physical games are shot, and there’s every chance he may never even contend again in a PGA Tour tournament. He’s done.

Unless he wins again soon. Then the hyperbole pendulum will swing the other way, of course.

–WKW

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19 comments

§ Marc Sirkin said on : 05/11/09 @ 10:12
Tiger's too disciplined and too talented for it to be over. Stop already. MJ wasn't done when he came back from Baseball, and Tiger's not even close to being done.

Nice caveat and CYA there at the end (so much for keeping it real). Tiger's not done, not even close and you know it.

:)
§ Hack said on : 05/11/09 @ 10:35
I predict 90% of people who read this won't get it. Such is life for a troubled genius like yourself...oft misunderstood. Until you're dead. Then we'll all think you were awesome.
§ Joe Whitley said on : 05/11/09 @ 10:46
I understand the points you raise but I seriously disagree. He is as good as he has ever been and will add to his Major count by the end of the year. Mark my words, this is not the end for Tiger.
§ William K. Wolfrum said on : 05/11/09 @ 10:57
And yet you seem eager to follow me down this road, Hack. My advice: Start writing exclusively about Natalie Gulbis' navel and how good PGA Tour players are. You'll be hired by Golf Digest in 2 weeks and lead a happy life.
§ Hack said on : 05/11/09 @ 10:59
I'd write about Natalie Gulbis' navel for free.
§ Brett said on : 05/11/09 @ 11:42
wow you're an idiot
§ Stephanie Wei said on : 05/11/09 @ 15:13
We all know that Tiger isn't done. I'm not even the "biggest" Tiger fan, but all the respect to him, of course. He's finished in the top 10 in the past 5 tournaments which includes a win. Yeah, the guy really sucks. And, he's played TERRIBLY, that is, for him. We've all seen the highlights where drives it in the woods (no pun intended) on almost every hole. He misses multiple putts, many of which are birdie opportunities. He's still the best in the world - if he isn't, who would you say is? Phil? Not a chance.
While I'm at it, I'm sick of hearing about how Tiger is hitting it shorter off the tee and Phil is striping it past him (which I'm sure Phil is secretly gloating about). The guy had major surgery last year. Give him a break (I can't believe I said that.)
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 05/11/09 @ 16:37
"Awesome" also means "tiresomely great". You wear the mantle so lightly WKW - you're positively hyperborean - even if you do live in Brazil.
§ Shanks said on : 05/12/09 @ 09:25
Pretty funny.
§ Alex said on : 05/12/09 @ 11:50
"Tiger Woods is Barack Obama, with the exception of being able to land a 1-iron on a nickel from 300 yards out"

This statement shows how little you know about golf....you're probably a 13 that cheats, just like Clinton....

Nicklaus came in the top 10 a jillion times and had "slumps" as well....stupid stupid article...
§ Nick said on : 05/12/09 @ 13:05
What a way to get peoples attention! Tiger is perhaps the greatest golfer of all time and a real gentlemen. He has done for golf what Stan Musial has done for baseball.
You have got to be so wrong.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 05/12/09 @ 17:57
WKW - Streuth!

When you read our posts, I wonder whether you laugh or cry?
§ J Ridley said on : 05/12/09 @ 21:13
Oh Yeah, how about not finished making even the disbelievers wake up and smell the coffee. Tiger is admittedly at best only human as is Barack Obama. Only time and chance will conclude and define a true champion. So lets not open our mouths too wide to speak words we may eat at the Tiger's gate.
§ Ray said on : 05/13/09 @ 02:13
Honestly I used to be a big golf fan but the constant adulation of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickleson has drove me away. I understand they are great players but I really do get sick of hearing about them at the expense of the tournament winners. They make it sound like Tiger Woods lost the tournaments and players like Stenson and Cabrera are lucky Tiger isn't playing well.
§ ollie helsby said on : 06/10/09 @ 01:28
oh so he will never even contend in a tournament again will he? Now correct me if im wrong but im pretty sure he just the memorial tournament with 7 of the top 10 in the world in the field? this in his first start after his loss at the players which caused and i quote "his mental and physical game to be shot" great work mate? he not only destroyed the course in terms of GIR he also had his best driving performance in 6 years! you i am sure are one of these journalists who are keen to get on tigers back as soon as he has one mediocre performance and whip up what he calls a sexy story to get views on your failing blog. i think next time you should wait untill he goes a year without winning a tournament. you are not only foolish for your comments but ignorant as well. He is the greatest golfer since jack nicklaus and could possibly become greater. great blog mate its a great read....
§ Adirec Torytski said on : 08/22/09 @ 10:52
Tiger will always be around even when the syncs say he is done... he isn't done his name is too big for that now.
§ Dennis C said on : 12/08/09 @ 09:40
Woods is done…. His reputation is ruined beyond repair…. He will try to make a comeback but his loyal fans will NEVER take him seriously again… and he can kiss Buick, Nike and the rest bye bye……… and she walks off with the kids, the homes and 200 million buckaroos…………… if he had never married and had kids… his playboy ways would have made him a hero and the envy of every man on Earth… even nerdy rich ones like Bill Gates… Sad…. What an idiot…………………….
§ Dennis C said on : 12/08/09 @ 09:50
....oh I forgot... Woods will self destruct from the inside out... not from the outside in.... that's the kind of person he is... he really cares about how he is perceived by his fans... he will never be able to look at them in the eye again...... he most definately has a self destructive streak.
§ Tundra said on : 12/15/09 @ 03:43
HAHAHA, wow man. You hit it dead on! You should forcast weather. You could do it like 7 months ahead of schedule. So do you guys think he's done now or is his name still too big?

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William K. Wolfrum