Tiger Woods Apology: I'll look forward to his return but don't ask me to like him

Tiger Woods / Bill Elliott / 20 February 2010 / 1 Comments

Tiger Woods exits the stage after Friday's public apology

"Tiger Woods remains now and forever damaged goods. How much of the truly great golfer remains available to him remains to be seen but I suspect that, if anything, his fall from grace will only inspire him to try to climb even higher in this regard. It's almost all he has now."

Bill Elliott has followed the career of Tiger Woods closer than most and gives us his verdict on Tiger's already famous apology speech and what next lies in store for him as he continues to refuse to give us a date for his return to golf.

So there we are then. Tiger Woods is alive although it doesn't look like he's very well. He looked thinner, physically diminished and wore a really bad jacket and shirt combo that would have played better on a man 30 years older. He will play pro golf again but he left the big question - when? - hanging.

In probably the most seen public apology in history, Woods admitted everything, skipped the detail and asked for forgiveness. I don't know about you but I don't feel he owes anyone except his wife and his family an apology for anything. There have been too many 10 cent moralists in this whole shabby saga and I have no intention of joining them.

He also asked us all to start liking him again one day. This is a tougher ask. I stopped liking Woods some years ago around the time he started smiling less and spitting more. But, and it is a major but, I have never stopped whistling in admiration of him as a golfer. Unlike some, I never bought into the thought that he was anything other than a sensational player.

Now the only thing left to be answered really is when he will return to the game. Clearly, it may not be this year although the smart money would suggest that he will play in 2010. The Masters looks like it might be too soon but then again it can't be ruled out. Has he no idea how his dithering is affecting the betting markets? I mean, come on Tiger, play fair with us. He is, by the way, available at odds of [3.9] to play the US Masters this year and [1.25] not to.

While the overall sincerity of his speech on Friday remains open to debate and individual interpretation - for some he will never do anything right now, for others he cannot do any wrong - it matters less to me than the occasional flaring up of the old arrogance that, in the end, has cost him so dear.

When he does come back I fear it will be largely the same old Tiger in many ways...too arrogant, too dismissive of others and too cossetted by too many people. I may be wrong here but I doubt it. What is certain surely is that though he may yet break through Jack Nicklaus's 18 major template he will never now enjoy the affection and ongoing support that the likes of Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer enjoy.

Tiger Woods remains now and forever damaged goods. How much of the truly great golfer remains available to him remains to be seen but I suspect that, if anything, his fall from grace will only inspire him to try to climb even higher in this regard. It's almost all he has now.

Here's the sad fact - ever since he was a baby Woods has been told by someone that he is really, really special. It is hardly surprising that he has evolved into a sort of randy god who bought into his own apparent infallibility. Now he knows he is just another stupid bloke.

Mrs Woods, meanwhile, has a big decision to make and one has to feel sorry for a woman so publicly humiliated by her husband. The rest of us just need to get over it, move on and look forward to the day we can start backing him again on a golf course. The rest, as someone nearly said once, isn't business, it's personal. Next please.

Comments (1)

1. susan | 20 February 2010

   Mr. Woods and Family,
   I would like to say that I commend you Sir. As I am sure you are learning, an addidction of any kind is a difficult and mind boggling thing to deal with, admit to and try to overcome. I have seen many people approach step 5 but never have I seen one done in public with so much meaning. I want to thank you for bailing out your wife and family to the public. Seems there is always blame slung around when others do NOT understand what an addiction of any kind can do to yourself or others. They will never understand unless they are in our position. You se MR. Woods, I am an alcoholic in recoverey and have been for 8 years. To become a sober drunk able to function in the world I have had to loose all the things I had. My husband, our home, my children. I live a life of sobriety and sometimes I am so alone I don,t know if I will make it. I miss my husband and I only wish that your wife will have the ability to try to understand your addidctions and will learn to trust you and love you again as she once did despite your shotcommings. You said it yourself yesterday(by the way that was a remarkable addmision and a I know how difficult it was) that your family will have to SEE that you want to get better and only you actions and your progress will prove this to them. Words alone will not work. My husband gave up on me and I pray that your wife and family will stick by you like glue for this will make your recovery go smoother and be successful. Please Mr. Woods remember that this affects so many more people other than you Your beautiful little girls need thier dad and mom. All the worldy possesions and material things cannot replace the love and guidence they need from you two. Be honest with them always, I was with my kids who are now 18, 20 and 22, and they are my best support system but most of all they love me, all of me.

   Good luck Mr. Woods and keep going in the right direction and I promise things will get better. try not to anticipate and keep a whole bunch of love in your heart because our higher power, what ever you call him, really doesn't want us to fail. He will never leave us, we leave him and thank goodness his door is never locked. I will pray for you and your recovery and your family. Please remember meeting makers make it. This is a lifetime commitment and although that sounds like a druggerey it really ain"t that bad take it from who knows.

   Good Luck
   Your friend in recovery
   Sue