When you and I get a day off we play golf, so what do you think Tiger is going to do now that he has a year to kill time?
Travel? Well, that sounds great except that Tiger has been around the world sixteen times, in sixteen different ways. So, what’s the point?
I did see a picture of he and Steve Williams on Jet-Skis somewhere in the Caribbean a couple of years ago, which begs the question, who goes on vacation with their caddy, even if their caddy is Steve Williams? And, if Steve is not invited on Tiger’s year long sabbatical, is he still getting paid?
A famous golf teacher once told me that Tiger tosses tips around like manhole covers, and that he had personally laid more than a few bucks out on Tiger’s behalf in the locker room. I hope that’s not all together true; I don’t mind Tiger being frugal, but cheap is sad.
How about a trip to the Olympics for Tiger? He could rent the biggest house in China, invite Michael Jordan and party down Asian style. Perhaps he could offer his services as a sports physiologist. Without question he could teach game face, focus, and playing through the pain. He could also teach endorsements, interviews and smile flashing, all of which he holds a PhD in. But he could teach that stuff anywhere, and China is only two weeks even though it seems a lot longer when you’re watching the 10,000 meters run.
I hear that Boo Weekley likes to fish in his time off, but for some reason I can’t picture Tiger on the banks of the Swanee River watching his cork bob up and down for hours on end, nor do I see Tiger following Jeff Gordon around the NASCAR circuit. Now, Tiger on his 1,000-foot yacht wearing designer fishing clothes with a sailfish shining in the evening sun is more like it, or taking a lap or two around the Monaco Grand Prix after a few tips from Michael Schumacher; that’s the Tiger I know, or don’t know.
I guess that’s the point. We don’t really know Tiger Woods without a golf club in his hand. Does he like to fish, or play tennis, or read books, or watch TV, or cut the grass? Is he an ordinary guy, or an extraordinary guy off the golf course?
Does Elin send him to the Stop ‘N Go for milk and bread? Do they go to the movies and does he remember to turn off his cell phone? I doubt it, not because he wouldn’t enjoy it, but lets face it, Tiger Woods is Elvis.
I read a story several years ago about Elvis when he was not only the King of Rock and Roll, but the King of Las Vegas as well. As the story goes he was in his penthouse suite high above the Las Vegas strip when he said to a friend, “Man, that looks like fun down there.”
To which his friend answered, “It is fun. Let’s go down there and join them.”
“I can’t” Elvis answered. “I’m Elvis Pressley.”
I suspect that Tiger Woods feels that same way. Unfortunately, it’s the price of fame and fortune, and you and I would probably trade places with him in a heartbeat.
We all wish Tiger the best recovery possible because we love watching him play, and in a voyeuristic sort of way being part of the history he is creating. “Yes,” I said to my grandson, “I saw Tiger win the U.S. Open on one leg. Come to think of it he only had one arm as well. There was this giant Italian guy who hit Tiger in the head with a four iron, but Tiger only smiled. Yes, I saw it live in high-definition and it went on for days.
“It was the fourteenth of his fifty-five majors, if I recall.”
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