Shut Your Pie-Hole!

By Phardoe...

When is too much enough? At what point is a person happy in his career, his success and his finances? Whatever that point is, Tiger Woods hasn't reached it. In a recent interview for Golf World magazine, Woods lashed out at the PGA Tour for taking advantage of him, saying in a magazine interview that his frustration is serious enough that it "could escalate into a bigger situation.'' He states that the tour was using his image for its own marketing and promotional purposes.

Well of course it is. That's how the game is played. Why do you think Jordan and the Bulls were on television every chance possible? Because that's where the money is! That's where the advertising dollar is paid. It's sure as hell a lot cheaper to advertise when Vijay Singh is leading the pack at the Masters.

People want to see a winner. Tiger, dude, you win…a lot! The marketing process that catapulted you to the top didn't happen by mistake. It was calculated and re-calculated. Tiger seems to forget about all the contracts he had even before he played, much less won, a professional golf tournament. As soon as he announced he was going pro he signed deals with Titleist, Rolex, American Express and Nike. Nike didn't even really have a golf division before Tiger, at least not to this level.

When a player makes that much money and wins as consistently as he does there is going to be a downside. But is it really a downside? Along with more than $20 million in tour earnings in just over four years, he renewed his contract with Nike that will pay him $100 million over five years, believed to be the richest endorsement by an athlete. Golf World reported last month that Woods will make about $54 million a year in endorsements. He has more money and more fame than any golfer ever, and quite possibly become the biggest celebrity in sports. He's respected and adored the world over.

In the "Year of the Tiger" he has nine victories, and just over $9 million in earnings. He can still become golf's first $10 million man by winning at Valderrama next week. And he can still join Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead as the only players to win at least 10 times on tour in one season. This year alone he won three majors, which completed a career Grand Slam. He's the youngest player ever to do that….he's 24! Where's the damn downside?!

The PGA Tour is about to enter negotiations with the networks next spring on a new TV deal. Woods is largely responsible for record purses on the tour because of the significant increases in ratings when he plays, and particularly when he's in contention. The PGA uses his image to promote upcoming events. Tour regulations allow for the use of player images in such advertisements. As a tour member, Woods has agreed to those conditions. That's part of the game. Tiger knew exactly what he was getting into. He was on television as a four-year-old hitting golf balls. He has always wanted to be the best golfer in the world. You're the jackass! All of these things go hand in hand with your success. It's a part of the process. As a fan of golf it seems like he wants to be bigger than the game, not part of it. It's called "Golf", not "Tiger." Michael Jordan was a player on the Bulls, Joe Montana was a player on the 49ers and Mark McGwire is a player on the St. Louis Cardinals. At no time in their careers were they bigger than the sport. They all reached great heights within the confines of the sport but were never larger. I know Tiger is not on a team and he is one man, but he is still part of a bigger picture, the sport of Golf.

If he doesn't like it he can always leave. Quit golf, go get a job. Become a working stiff. I wonder if he realizes how many people would give almost anything to be a professional athlete, even if it was for only one day. He had a dream as young kid and he has achieved it…at 24. When I was 24, I was still getting over a fraternity party from two years earlier!!

Tiger, in my eyes, has become another rich spoiled athlete. When I see him in interviews he seems condescending and pompous. He pisses me off. When he misses a shot from under a tree, in the sand and 192 yards out, the look on his face is pure disgust. I understand competitiveness but he seems to expect to make everything. The last eight years of his life have been a fairy tale and when the wicked witch makes an ever so brief appearance he loses it. Suck it up and deal with it!

Playing professional golf is a privilege not a right. Tiger is the best golfer in the world and still sweats the small shit. Get over it. Golf was around for hundreds of years before Tiger and it will be around hundreds of years after. Enjoy it while you got it.

I feel better now!

11/22/2000

phardoe@sportshollywood.com

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Phardoe lives at the beach and can currently be seen on a barstool near you. Feel free to buy him drinks! But beware -- Phardoe is also the loudest, angriest sportsfan who has ever lived. He thinks British soccer fans are sissies. If he starts to get aggressive, just say "Big Unit rocks" or "Sun Devils rule" to calm him, then find the nearest exit. (Or just buy him another beer.)