Yes its been a while since I last posted anything of any real significance…well in fact anything at all and what with the Lance Armstrong debacle (still a huge fan – another article – another day) and the Oscar Pistorious drama it probably appears that in truth my writing should have started earlier in the year. However it was last weekend’s confirmation of a sporting return that prompted me to put fingers to keys.
It is rare that true sporting greats avoid controversy and the copybook is blotted with legends that have failed to contain themselves privately and live up to the Hero type status that their sporting feats deserve – OJ Simpson, Mike Tyson, Lance Armstrong, Ryan Giggs are but a few that have suffered. However it is the re-emergence of arguably the greatest golfer of all time that for me is particularly pleasing. I am not condoning his actions as quite frankly I don’t really care – I merely applaud his return to the top of the golfing elite and thereby cementing his status as a legend.
The 2013 Arnold Palmer Invitational victory was Tiger’s 77nd on the PGA Tour (2nd in the all time stats to Ben Hogan) and his 3rd in only 5 events this year. This has naturally caused many commentators to announce his return with only a few sceptics believing that this shouldn’t be confirmed until a 15th major has been added to the trophy cabinet. However 2012 wasn’t that shabby a year for Tiger either with him returning to the winners circle for the first time in over 2 years and walking away at the end of the season as the Number 2 on the PGA tour money list and the number 2 in the World Rankings.
So is Tiger out of the woods? Why were so many keen to say he was a spent force? Do we really care what happens in the private lives of our sporting heroes. My take on these questions are as follows:-
I dont believe Tiger was ever really that lost – yes he had a traumatic time with the events that surrounded his surrender of the clean cut perfect image. Yes he struggled with subsequent injuries to his leg but aside from that Tiger was rebuilding his life and starting again – reinventing his persona, his swing and the team that surrounds him. He parted ways with Hank Haney, he split from Steve Williams (who acted like an utter buffoon) and he started the arduous task of re-engineering his career to take on the fresh challenges that would ultimately lie before him whilst beneath an ever growing spotlight. Now with Sean Foley (coach) and Joe Lacava (former caddy for Fred Couples and Dustin Johnson) on the bag Tiger is beginning to dominate the golfing stage. The controversial ad from Nike pretty much summed it up but nevertheless “it does”.
As to whether its right for our glorious media to consider Tiger a spent force; well that’s a comment I don’t think really needs explaining. Our sporting media are notoriously guilty of shooting down any star that rises to the top – not the most intelligent of species, the writers of today see nothing in decimating a sporting icon before they have even collected the winners cheque. Look at Rory McIlroy – even now that Tiger has started to prowl again are the self proclaimed journalists questioning the ability of a young golfer who swept all before him last year. I think the view I share on my last point re private lives, is not one commonly held amongst my piers and friends. Personally I admire a sports person for (a) their ability within their chosen sport (b) their dedication towards becoming the best they can be at that discipline (c) the focus they have whilst in the “arena” and (d) the sacrifices they make in order to realise sporting greatness. These are qualities that every child and adult can learn from and aspire to be. I don’t ask my children to model their lives on that of a sports persons – I dont ask them to embrace their hero’s morality – I simply ask them to understand what it takes to succeed and to acknowledge that being the best you can be takes work, effort and focus – it isn’t something that is given to you. So when people say that “Tiger was an inspiration to aspiring athletes” and that this has been “tarnished” as a result of his private life antics then I consider them stupid enough not to embrace these character traits in the first place. Tiger is still an exceptional athlete. Tiger is still a focused and dedicated athlete. Tiger still makes sacrifices every day. His legacy still exists so embrace it.
And that is my take on Tiger – the man that never went anywhere – that never shirked the challenge that lay before him – the man that evaluated how he could become better and then did what he has always done – “JUST DID IT”.
Winning isnt everything, Its the Only Thing! 