Sally Jenkins is the daughter of Dan Jenkins, who is simply the best golf writer of all-time. However, Sally is currently writing on golf for the Washington Post, and she is fast joining her father as one of the best commentators on the golf scene. In this piece, Ms. Jenkins takes Tiger Woods down a notch or two over Woods’ behavior during this past weekend’s U.S. Open golf tournament. The following is a tidbit:
The Woods who played in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills this week was not an especially great player, nor was he a very good guy. Among the things that Woods blamed for his final round of 76, his worst final round in an Open since turning pro, and 10-over-par finish: the weather, the United States Golf Association, modern photography, the press and his former coach, Butch Harmon.
My first suggestion for Woods’s immediate and long-term recovery is that he spend four years in the Peace Corps. Planting crops in Ethiopia or Zaire while teaching children to read and write would have a salutary effect on his attitude, which at the moment resembles that of a spoiled Venetian princess.
Read the entire piece. Good stuff.
This is a good take on how the bloom is coming off Tiger’s rose, even if Sally has a ways to go to catch her famous daddy.
It is an interesting contrast watching how gracious Phil Mickelson was in an obviously agonizing defeat and contrasting it to Tiger’s churlish behavior.
While his behavior may not be excusable, the burden on Tiger–his celebrity– both from the media and the masses– far exceeds that on any other player– really more than the rest of the players combined.
True, J.D., but I still am struck at the difference in the way Woods handles himself in comparison to Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus. Palmer always gave credit for his success to his father and Mark McCormick. Nicklaus was always giving credit to his lifelong teacher, Jack Grout. To whom does Tiger give credit these days?
the Buddah?? i never really hear Tiger giving credit to anyone. and of late there isn’t really much credit to give is there. Butch Harmon really seems out with Tiger– do you have insight on what happened to their relationship?
Actually, I side with Tiger with regard to Butch, who has used every professional relationship that he has for one primary goal — i.e., to promote Butch. In my view, Tiger right now is where Mickelson was last year — too long in his swing, which is causing inconsistent ball-striking when his arms lag behind his body. Rick Smith did wonders with Mickelson’s swing over the off-season; perhaps Tiger should make an appointment, too.