Tiger Woods
 

Jeeze...I know he's the greatest golfer in the world, but this BS with his injured knee. He is freakin' golfing. He's walking a course, at a moderate pace while somene CARRIES HIS CLUBS, REFRESHMENTS AND SNACKS! I have walked courses w/ 70+ year old men who have ailments that make Tigers knee look like a hang-nail! Guys with diabtes, bum tickers, cancer survivors..you name it and this picture of health, workoutaholic, Sure it's great that throughout the injury he still mainatins his swing but somehowTiger Woods is defying the thresholds of human endurance fro pain and suffering..what the f???

He's not carrying and injured comrade while nursing bullet wounds, or even playing RB in the NFL, Forward in the NHL or Center in the NBA with serious injury . How many times have we seen the aformentioned positions in MUCH more demanding "sports" play with equal and often much greater injuries w/o SO MUCH fanfare??

How about this new ad with Earl Woods quote (IIRC) "I guarantee you'll never find a person who's menatlly tougher then Tiger". Sure he is mentally tough as a COMPETITOR..but lets not make him out to be the mentally toughest person on the planet. I'll take the surviving POWs, Navy Seals, kids who battle through horrible illness, people who survive horrible upbringings and succeed, most guys who get punched and kicked for a living, etc., etc.

I don't blame Tiger, but his media is just so over the top w/ everything (not just Tiger) it makes me sick. When they see true heroism and report it, it gets watered down because the have cried wolf SO MANY times.

RANT OFF

... so not a Tiger fan I take it? lol

Hard to say how much his knee hurts, because it's his knee and not ours. To play at that level with any injury, especially a knee, it pretty newsworthy. Hey the hype is part of sport. Without hype there would be no sports hero's. After all, they are just men playing childrens games.

I blame it on El Dick Woods. He's the one answering questions. Why not just say, "it's 100% and won't be an issue, next". Maybe it's because he's banking an excuse when he gets beat.

Have you ever played 4-5 rounds in a row?
In the old days, or even in HS or college, you might play two rounds in one day.
And may I add, walk a hilly course like these...Its even tough on the "golf carts."

It is just as demanding as baseball; where you stand around for 95% of the game (game I love), because "that" is the hard part. To be ready for those moments where the game demands your full attention.

How about the fat-a$$es in Nascar. Come on...;-)

Tiger is the best. Not a faker. Does not have to be. Just incredible.
2 eagles in the back 9 to take the lead in the US Open -F'n great!!

I agree...except for the Nascar comment. Another endurance game is pool...go to a tournament that lasts all day, 2-3 days in a row. Not that I'm saying these folks are in the same shape as Tiger, but it's a long haul and mentally tough to keep up the concentration for that long.

F350lawman,
Your comments have shown you to lack any understanding of Tiger's performance yesterday.
Most of us learned as children to keep our mouth shut unless we had something positive to say.
Whatever your motivation, your comments are unnecessary, ill mannered, and serve to expose you who you are.

What you are missing is that golf like no other sport/skill is muscle memory huge amounts of precision that is repeated over and over. Have you ever had a knee surgery ? It doesn't take much to get that machine out of alignment. I've had a few and am amazed that he's back at that level so soon.. did you notice he's limping ? The guy is incredible!

I find the stories of his physical ailments rather laughable as well, but it should not diminish what a great competitor he is. His performance on the course was impressive. I don't care about golf, but I can appreciate tenacity.

My 10 y.o. son is an All-Star baseball player (pitcher/middle infielder), and a tournament golfer. He'll tell you golf is 10x more demanding, physically and mentally. But esp. mentally.

Those that don't play golf don't understand it, because it looks so easy when you watch good players play. What Tiger has accomplished is really incredible. To put yourself in a class of your own, with all of those other incredible PGA golfers, is rarely done. And then to back it up, year after year, against all comers, is really something.

I don't think his knee injury is being over-blown. The right knee takes quite a bit of twisting and torque during a swing, and he's not faking the sharp pain that he's getting on some swings. That, plus walking 20+ miles over 4 days, while competing on an incredibly difficult course, is a legit story. Esp. after what he did on the last 5 holes yesterday to take the lead. Add it all together, and it's been one of the most compelling tournaments in recent history.

Which I will watch because I really enjoy watching competition at the Majors: I never watch golf otherwise. I echo your son's comments, btw. I played college baseball and find the mental and physical requirements of golf more difficult.

The nature of baseball, see the ball, hit the ball; see the ball, catch the ball, are so much more natural to me than translating fine muscle control into hitting a golf ball in the direction desired at the proper distance with the correct loft and spin.

I know Tiger's not charging a machine gun nest, but it is great theater:)

when the haters can smack it 300 yards down the center of the fairway, come talk to me...

I remember back in college when I was playing somewhat regularly my then g/f said she wanted to learn to play. I took her to the range and started to show her the basics of the grip and stance, etc. Her comment was, "the ball is sitting still, how hard can it be?" She then proceeded to whiff about 20 times and was afraid to ground the club. When she finally did make contact it went about 20 feet.

She never said it was easy after that...

I've played almost every sport and have had decent success because I was born to the right father who had serious skills (had minor league offers to pitch for St. Louis and I think Cincinnati after the war, but turned them down). With most sports I could make up for lack of technical skills and practice with "hustle" and a deep understanding of the game leading to anticipation. Not so with golf. The most insidious, difficult, subtle game I'm ever played.

How would you like that, with a cut or a draw? I hope you don't mind if I use a persimmon driver.

Stick a fork in Tiger, he's done.

You can see the problems the knee is creating with his swing, he needs to get it straightened out or he will ruin his back.


Golf is not challenging? Golf is the only sport I ever played that after a week of practice, I was not better than almost everybody I knew. Great speed and freaky hand-eye coordination. I am relatively certain my mother still has the highest motor ability of any high school girl in Nebraska, 50 years later. Good genes are nice to have

7RACER F350lawman,
Your comments have shown you to lack any understanding of Tiger's performance yesterday.
Most of us learned as children to keep our mouth shut unless we had something positive to say.
Whatever your motivation, your comments are unnecessary, ill mannered, and serve to expose you who you are.


Hey 7RACER, are you telling me to shut my mouth because I dared question the endless attention Tiger's knee got? I'm ill-mannered to knock the COMMENTARY regarding his injury? I golf and I don't doubt Tiger's greatness. Did I insult him or call him names? Did I say HE caused this BS to go on? Did I say he faked it? No, in fact I wrote : "I don't blame Tiger" . I don't question his performance it is spectacular as always.

My motivation????...oh I get it...."MY MOTIVATION" it "SHOWS WHAT TYPE OF PERSON I AM". Next time Go ahead have the balls to say what you think and drop the innuendo. PM me and I'll give you my cell # if you want to continue this discussion, cause I 'd be really interested in hearing what making negative comments about the way COMMENTATORS have treated Tiger's injury says about me.

Again, I'll type slower this time...I guess you weren't listening to all the sports shows for the last 2 days. They made it sound like he took multiple rounds to the chest, fought the enemy in hand to hand combat and carried his wounded comrades across the desert on his belly with 1/2 a canteen of water and no rations! Heck, I don't even need to go to that extreme for an example. I just played football this past winter w/ a sheet metal worker who was hurt during a game and went to work for 3 weeks after tearing 2 ligaments in his knee before finally succumbing and getting surgery. So forgive me if I get excited about any pro-golfer (God given talent aside)playing after having a knee repaired and rehabbed?? I guess the world you and those reporters live in is so soft that golfing after an medically treated and rehabbed injury is hardcore to you. Don't you watch football, every year numerous players have competed with broken bones, separated shoulders, dislocated this and damged that. I lost count of how many boxers I have seen break a hand and keep punching for many rounds. Don't even get me started with Pro Rodeo.... I think I have seen some of those guys compete while dead :) What's the point? We see much greater diplays of toughness in sports with regularity, with much less fanfare, that's all.


You can also spare me the sanctimonious "my mommy told me don't say anything if it aint' positive crap". There wouldn't be an internet, newspapers, TV sports or news or much else of anything if we all just said "positive" things. Gee fellas, next time if I ask you for an opinion regarding a mechanic, the dealership I am buying a car from, or product I am considering .... don't say anything unless it's positive. This way we will all just say nice things about each other and 7RACER can go on living without any negativity in his life. What are you 10 years old? I guess I'll be hearing "sticks and stones...." next.

As far as someone else's comments about golfing 4-5 days in a row, I appreciate the long hours, endless practice, mental pressure that these pro golfers endure. Having golfed for 20+ years I know how hard it is. So yes, I have golfed 4-5 days in a row... and I call it a vacation. :) By the way on the 23, 24 and 25th of this month I will be on vacation golfing. ...I better rest up and hope my recently healed hamstring tear can take it. :) In all seriousness, obviously I have none of the mental pressure (and that's the hardest part of the game) that a pro-golfer does but they're not triathletes either. Any person who is in sound physical shape and of a reasonable age should be able to walk WITH clubs. Without clubs it's even easier.

I do agree with baseball being a RELATIVELY easy sport on the body (not pitchers or catchers though). Baseball is tough due to season length and travel IMO. NASCAR may not require the usual physical prowess we see in other athletes, but the mental stress fatigue, heat and concentration required are brutal. Someone mentioned competitve pool, I kinda lump, pool, bowling and cards together....not super physical but if there is big $$$s on the line over several long days, of course they can also be very demanding in their own way.

P.S. The course Tiger is playing is according to the commentators, relatively flat and Weatherunderground says it is 70 F with 68% humidity today.

F-350? Maybe I mentioned pool because I was at a local tournament near here yesterday.

I chatted with a guy born in 1921 who was also there. Not once did he mouth off suggesting that the players were wimps because of their chosen game. He was too classy for that. He even autographed his recently published book for me....

Everybody who is a regular at this pool hall knows who the toughest guy there is, the second this man walks in. He's proven it.

Maybe you'd like to buy a copy? I'd like to see it on the non-fiction best sellers list.

"Easy Company Soldier"
by Sgt. Don Malarkey with Bob Welch

Just flew back from San Diego earlier today, spent three days at Torrey Pines. I'm not a big Tiger fan but he can hit some unbelieveable shots, some luck involved but a lot of skill. How many guys do you know who have had two eagles in the same round. He's something else!

What a finish...damn he's good. Rocco's toast tomorrow.

Tiger is one heck of a golfer and just had an a amazing game to send the US Open to another round. GO TIGER.

And NASCAR takes some discipline as well. Dale Jr had to save enough fuel today by cutting engine power on and off several times under a yellow flag in order to pull off the win.

The man is not human!

To birdie that, after hitting bunker then thick rough, wow. Talk about a pressure putt! Unreal.

How about that little Tiger tantrum? Beating his club into the ground and throwing it at the bag on 18. Surprised he didn't let go with some expletives that he is famous for. Nothing wrong with showing some emotion, but it seems like he's over the top on both sides. He is either swearing, throwing, or pumping his fists. Millions of kids worldwide want to be like him. He could be better.

I enjoy watching Tiger, but I was pulling for Rocco. It's probably his last real chance. Tiger will win many more majors.

F350lawman,
One more internet bully on my ignore list.
Have a nice day.

Tiger is on his way to being the greatest golfer of all time.

That's good.

F-350? Maybe I mentioned pool because I was at a local tournament near here yesterday.

I don't know why you mentioned pool, and I never questioned why you did? Are we agreeing or agrguing?? Maybe you misinterpreted my seconding pool and adding 2 other actvities that aren't viewed by many as tough, bowling and cards. I grew up between the pool hall and bowling alley..I know how mentally and physically draining playing those games can be....especially when you can't pay what you wagererd if you lose (not me) :( I watch those guys on TV play poker for huge bucks for days on end and that has to wear you out as well. I guess most things doe at a super high level would do the same.

I chatted with a guy born in 1921 who was also there. Not once did he mouth off suggesting that the players were wimps because of their chosen game. He was too classy for that. He even autographed his recently published book for me....

I don't know what that has to do with what I wrote about COMMENTATORS (not the competitiors) making golfing after an injury seem like entering the Roman Coliseum at less than 100% strength. As much as I love him, John Daly has more majors than 99% of the pro golfers who have ever, or will ever live, and he was no physical specimen back then either. He demonstarted that you can beat the best and be pretty poorly conditioned. On the flip side Daly also demonstrates that if you go too far, your conditioning will bite you in the ass. As in everything else, there are limits. Lefty isn't exactly ready win any 10Ks either and he has been maybe the 2nd best golfer of the Tiger era. That being said, I don't consider Tiger or any of the other pros "wimps", it's just when compared to to other endeavors golf is relatively low impact. If you asked the players they would say the same. Some seem to be trying to say golf is as physically demanding as the other major sports, and I don't agree. I don't think Hale Irwin (maybe the best athlete to play golf) can still be an all-conference defensive back for Colorado, but he certainly can walk a course playing competitive golf. Again... I said the COMMENTATORS made it out to be superhuman for Tiger to play, NOT TIGER or the PLAYERS.

Everybody who is a regular at this pool hall knows who the toughest guy there is, the second this man walks in. He's proven it.

Maybe you'd like to buy a copy? I'd like to see it on the non-fiction best sellers list.

"Easy Company Soldier"
by Sgt. Don Malarkey with Bob Welch

Although I bet it is a great book it would probably only reaffirm my opinion that the MEDIA treatment of a golfer playing through a rehabbing injury is hardly heroic in the grand scale of things. For the record, that was the basis of my original post. Apparently I struck a nerve with some golfers and Tiger fans. Maybe I'm wrong, but IMO... compared to many of the sports/activities golf seemed pretty mild.

I guess until I announce that golfing w/ injury is like scaling Everest or K2 w/ a busted ankle, or riding a bull w/ a broken leg I'll be villified..oh well.

I'm still pulling for Rocco, he's a real long shot but it would be a great Cinderella story. Tiger may be good for marketing but he's destroying the game's traditions. He's turning it into hockey.

Golf tournaments are turning into spectator drinking parties, it's pretty sad. I saw more than a few really shltfaced folks in the stands, on the grounds, as well as in the hotels on the boundary of the course. It's more like a soccer game than a golf tournament was like 10 years ago. The behavior at the Ryder Cup events has really caused a spectator free for all.

A Rocco victory would be great for the game from my perspective. Most unlikely though.

What game traditions is he destroying?

The crowd doesn't disrupt or alter the game any more today than 10 years ago.

Don't get me wrong, I like taking the contrary position just as much as the next guy, but to say that Tiger is "destroying the game's traditions" and that the crowds at golf tournaments are now like those at soccer matches is a bit absurd.

You call me names, make obvious inferences of an insidious nature..and I tell you to PM me , so that you can call me on my cell, and explain what you meant...and that makes me a bully?

The problem is you're one of those guys who thinks that there is a certain "MOTIVATION" behind any criticism of Tiger. You're so caught up in it, my criticism of COMMENTS made about Tiger 's injury was construed in some twisted way by you. Your BS veiled "WHATEVER YOUR MOTIVATION IS" is typical of those of your ilk.

If you think I am a Bully, you're wrong but after mislabeling me, I would expect you to react the same way you did when the Bullies bothered you as a child...run and hide.

Goodnight.

F350 with all due respect you have no clue what you are talking about. The guy had his knee reconstructed. There is a significant amount of scar tissue in that knee that will need to break down over time.

If you look at slow motion films of Tiger's swing, he puts an enormous amount of torque on his left knee during his downswing. This torque is exactly what caused the problem in the first place. Lots of torque + recent knee surgery = pain. Not only that but the knee is affecting his swing and ball flight as well.

As the old saying goes:

"Better to keep your mouth shut and have others think you a fool than to open your mouth and prove it."

Must be alot of non-readers on this particular area of Pelican :) ... I never questioned his injury, the effect on his swing or anything else. For the umpteenth time my problem was with THE COMMENTATORS WHO MADE IT SEEM LIKE HE WAS PLAYING HB IN THE SUPERBOWL OR RUNNING THE TRIATHALON ON THE LEG. Not negating the pain or influence on swing, but this is a common sports injury that we have seen 100s of guys return from (many before DRs though they could or would). Why are commentators acting like he's the 1st athlete to blow out a knee? Did you see Rod Woodson in the Superbowl a few years ago? Even his comeback from reconstructive knee surgery in 4 months(was suppose to be 6-12 months)wasn't described in the same hallowed terms and he was covering Michael Irvin! That was 13 years ago and medicine has improved quite a bit.

Also with all due respect, your last sentence cuts both ways, reread my original post.

All right, the argument is getting a wee bit played out.

Anyways, not sure if some fans drinking in the hotel lobby is ruining the game of golf, but one thing for sure, Tiger has gotten a whole new generation of kids interested in golf.

My son wouldn't be as into golf if it wasn't for Tiger. We were on the edge of our seats watching the back 9 this afternoon! Inspirational, and fun.

Here we were at the range this morning - he gives the ball all of his 65 lbs!

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I don't think the announcers said it was the same as taking three slugs to the chest. That is *your* projection. But what part of hyperbole don't you get? The commentators are there to increase the drama and hear themselves talk. Such is life.

As for drinking on the golf course....I'm shocked that such a thing would occur!

http://blogs.tampabay.com/photos/unc...ddyshack_1.jpg

this illustrates your lack of understanding of the game. What Tiger was doing was easily the equal of both of those athletic feats.

Uhh.. no NOSTATIC ...to clarity you're 100% correct, they didn't say it was the same as 3 slugs to the chest. I think you already knew that, glad we cleared that up. ;)

It wasn't just during it was the entire build up to the event. I get Hyperbole, I just don't need to be beaten over the head with it for a week leading up to the event. They went too far that's all, no need to sell Tiger's greatness to me or anyone else. Guess all subtly and measured, professional coverage is gone with the media being so craven for every viewer, reader, listener, etc.

Maybe it's not that I don't get it, maybe I just don't dig that over the top used car salesman type of reportage and commentary. I would prefer an honest assessment of the injury and how it might effect the athlete not gushing hero worship. That goes for Tiger, Favre(who I loved watching play) or any of the other guys who seem to have some sports journalists starstruck beyong all objectivity.

Tell your son that he hits it better than my 240lb 38yr old roommate. ;)

He's got a nice looking swing but lots of youngins do - it must be great fun being out there with your boy. :)

OK your're right I give up.

I just find football harder on my legs/knees than golf. Now I don't play golf at Tigers level but I am also playing football at a much, much, much lower level so I don't think my experience is totally out of whack. I just find people pushing on you, short stops, quick starts, unpredictable changes of direction, getting tripped, hit from behind, etc. really hard on a knee. If those guys ran 4.6 40s and weighed 300lbs I guess it would be a tad tougher??? But hey, you said I'm wrong so here goes.....golf is as hard on a recovering knee as playing HB in the NFL ...golf is as hard on a recovering knee as playing HB in the NFL ...golf is as hard on a recovering knee as playing HB in the NFL . I will repeat this until I believe it....thanks for straightening that out

F350 I believe it was you who said something to the effect that Tiger shouldn't be talking about the knee at all...am I wrong on that?

Face it dude, you are way off on this one and your a$$ is showing.

Best to just call it a night and chalk this one up as a lesson in keep your trap shut...

You are very rude for a golfer..ouch..I'm hurtin' now. Oh, and I should keep my trap shut..but your not sure what I said?? ..you still don't even know exactly what I wrote and I am wrong?? The original post was about the media's treatment... not a debate on knees.

My ass is showing..if so I am not the only one...thanks for the company. Ask your surgeon if they would prefer you go golf or play a game of tackle football as you return to action from a knee injury. Now I am sure they might plead with you to skip both activities, but which do think they would go more crazy about?? Really what do think would make the Doc more nuts??? Come on you can admit it...

That is really all I claimed.. that returning to golf was not as traumatic as returning to some other sports. That really bothers you??? I guess I offended you and the Golf gods..and this is my punishment, guess I'll probably shoot 100 next week.

You guys are very uptight in this section, lots of name calling and unkind words...better keep the Digitalis nearby.

yes ignore what everyone else says and blather on. You know ur right so what do you care what a bunch of pansy golfers say? As you were...

Man, this is a weird thread . . . even for here.

LOL, that's saying a lot!

I was surprised at Rocco's press conference. Maybe it's just a brilliant ploy, but he's basically said he's given up, has nothing left, was just happy to be there, etc.

But then again, Tiger is No. 1, Rocco No. 158, Tiger has something like 70 PGA wins/13 Majors, Rocco has 5 wins/0 majors, maybe it really is a foregone conclusion? Rocco went 4 rounds with Tiger, why not 5, but I guess going head to head for 18 holes with just you and Tiger, and the US Open on the line, is a bit of a different situation.