by r brown
Mike, Mike, Mike. Please stop smelling the white out and get control of your senses. Poll all of the potential European Ryder Cup players and ask them one question: you are in the final match of the Ryder Cup with the score tied and you can choose to play either Tiger Woods or Rocco Mediate, who do you choose? Even in your altered mental condition, I cannot believe that you honestly expect that European players would prefer to play against Tiger than Rocco. I would rather have Tiger with only one leg on my team than any
other golfer period. You cite Tiger's record in past Ryder Cup play. You do not mention that the only more stressful position than playing Tiger head to head is playing with Tiger as his partner. Do you want to try that? I didn't think so. Remember what Phil did to Tiger when they played as a team? Look carefully at the record of team play and see just how much help Tiger has received from his "partners".
Maybe, just maybe, you will revise your viewpoint. If not, feel free to go back to the white out since reason is not your strong suit.

by Doug Osthus
Have another beer!!!!!!

by Henri
Mr. McDonald I do not mind that you critisize your own countrymen but calling Europeans "nasty" because they have won a couple of times? It is people like you who set the tone and make a friendly atmosphere change into a violent one.
Remember a Ryder Cup where your fellowmen were shouting when Bernard Langer had to make a put? And you are calling us "nasty"
Maybe they should sent you to Iraq to understand the full meaning of nasty.

by Bill Gassett
Thanks Tim for your good article.
You definitely make a good point about Tiger Woods.
I think the U.S. team will be very competitive this year at the Ryder Cup, even though Tiger will not be there. I agree with you.
I believe a great replacement for Tiger would be Rocco Mediate.
He earned it, as far as I am concerned, by just competing so well against Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open and in the Monday playoff. An amazing display of talent and courage by both men that week! It was the most fun Rocco has ever had on a golf course.
It was also tons of fun for me to watch them play. Magnetic! I couldn't keep my eyes off those two.
Riveting.! Inspiring! That's how the Ryder Cup will be.....if Rocco is on our Team!!! And another fun thought:
I believe Tiger will be cheering for Rocco and applauding his golf shots.
The Ryder Cup is about much more than golf to me. It is about FRIENDSHIP.
RESPECT. KINDNESS. GRACE. HUMILITY. ETIQUETTE. COMPETITION. EXCELLENCE. FUN. CIVILITY. WORLD PEACE.
Rocco would be excellent for the Ryder Cup for so many reasons. He's a great golfer and a great man. He also has the right attitude. He loves people. He laughs with people. His love and laughter keep him relaxed and helps others relax. He would be so good for our U.S Ryder Cup team. If I could talk with Paul Azinger, I would strongly encourage him to choose Rocco for the team this year, if Rocco is healthy and able to play.
If more golfers had Rocco's attitude, the game of golf would be more fun for everybody! I sense gratitude and grace in Rocco and those two qualities are indispensable for success in golf and in life.
Rocco and Tiger are friends.
I love that thought.
Rocco applauds Tiger's golf shots.
Rocco is one of Tiger's biggest fans.
So am I.
What is interesting, though, since the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, I have also become a big fan of Rocco!!! Rocco Rocks !!!
Thanks for listening.
Sincerely,
Bill Gassett
Huron, Ohio

by Ivory Rubin
Fabulous comments, Bill!!

by Vern
Let's see what kind of ratings they get without Tiger. Money talks and that other stuff walks. For all your whinning, Tiger has catapulted an otherwise boring marginal "sport" into the forefront of international consciousness.
I know people who only tune in when he plays. Many fans won't be watching because without "his greatness," golf returns to being the tremendous bore it was before he enter professional competition, and after the departure of Nicklas and Palmer, etc.
Who cares about Ryder anyway unless Tiger is there. The winners will always live under the shadow of "what if Tiger had played."
Would you feel the same if it were Phil who had the outstanding record? Or is there something else about Tiger that gets under your hide?
Nobody knows why dinosaurs became extinct, all we know is that something changed and dinosaurs didn't.

by Bubba
Baseball isn't sport. It's rounders for adults. Stop comparing it to golf.

by parlady
To Mike. Only in America, Mike. Only in America do we hate to see greatness and rejoice in the fall or failure of greatness. Generally this attitude is taken by people who have truly never accomplished anything great beside getting up on the wrong side of the bed each morning.

by parlady
I'd like to ask Mr. McDonald if he's ever really sat down with Tiger face-to-face and asked him why he doesn't live up to everyone's expectations. Have you,Mr. McDonald? Tiger seems to be honest in his answers. The fact is, Mr. McDonald, whatever his answer might be, reporters like you would make something negative out of them either way. This is why we as Americans, in particular, lose in so many ways and in so many arenas. If we lend our support to a colleague, fellow athelete, or even a brother, you better believe we're ready to snatch it up the first chance we get when we see an opening to help him or her fail to our benefit at all costs -- that, Mr. Mc McDonald would be in your case, simply a paycheck for you. I've enjoyed reading your columns, but after this one, I have a lost all respect for you.

by juliemarg
I'm tired of your Tiger bashing. Please cancel my subscription.