Tiger Woods’ career as he knows it is over.
Before the car accident, golf commentators always speculated about his ability to win. They took scalpels to his swing and his putting, quoted statistics like poetry, and marveled at his game—whether good or bad.
Now, David Feherty (twitter) will have digs and punch lines galore for the red-clad one. Gary McCord might actually be funny. And Jim Lampley might actually have nothing good to say.
When Tiger plays well, they will postulate, “He’s trying to overcome his bad PR.” When he plays poorly, they will offer, “He’s still being haunted by the events of November 2009.” If he loses a sponsor, they’ll talk about chinks in the armor. If he goes without a major tournament win in 2010, Sports Illustrated will probably run a headline like, “Will Tiger Catch Nicklaus?” The cover will be a picture like this one.
The wild card in Tiger’s long-term recovery is his mental toughness. Despite the wins, the statistics, the money list, and the endorsements, Tiger’s best asset is his ability to fight against the odds to come back or just keep grinding away. Can he bring that same mental toughness to his personal life and his game? I messed up in 2003 and got fired from a job. I didn’t cheat on my wife or murder anyone, but I broke a serious company policy and found myself being escorted to the door. Not a day goes when I don’t have regrets or play a game of “What if?” I have longed for the grit and determination that Tiger shows on the course.
I fear for Tiger’s marriage. I am worried that he will choose golf over his marriage vows, choose money over commitment and covenant, and choose the title of playboy over husband. Elin’s parents are divorced. Tiger’s dad was previously married and divorced. He doesn’t have the model of life-long marriage from experience.
He also doesn’t gain the model from his religious convictions. Tiger told Slate, “I believe in Buddhism. Not every aspect, but most of it. So I take bits and pieces. I don’t believe that human beings can achieve ultimate enlightenment, because humans have flaws.” Buddhism treats divorce as a civil-matter and it is not prohibited. (However, based on what I’ve read, Tiger sounds like he holds no religion.)
A few years ago, a leader I respect filed for divorce. Several men I know flew to his hometown to urge him to reconsider. One man challenged him to give up everything to save his marriage. He asked, “Isn’t your marriage worth so much more than your success, your position, your publishing deal, your television appearances, and your radio program?” Others close to the leader behaved like John Stuart Mill or Mr. Spock:
Spock: Don’t grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh…
Kirk: …the needs of the few…
Spock: …Or the one.
(See the scene here)
I’m sure Nike, AT&T, Gatorade, Accenture, Gillette, EA Sports, and Tag Heuer all want him to continue to play. I’m sure the PGA and the television networks want him to continue to play. Golf as a whole will suffer if Tiger pulls away. However, I want to challenge Tiger to take a year off to concentrate on being a husband and father plus find something more important than golf.
As for me, Tiger’s challenges are pushing me to take my own advice. I hope in 2010 I can borrow some of his mental toughness to turn my back on my past failings and concentrate with new fervor on my marriage. I celebrate 20 years in May. I want my next 20 years with my “most beloved among women” to be as rich as Tiger’s bank account.
Recent Comments