Once again it's Rant Day here at the Ruthless Golf blog. Buckle in, folks!
As you know through now, Tiger ignored the cut on the Quicken Loans National. And for two days now we've got heard every body and his (or her) brother examine why Tiger's swing failed to paintings pretty right.
To be honest, I'm sick of it. The man hasn't played competitive golf for over 3 months. He's only been swinging his driver for two weeks. This brief foray into competitive golf -- a last-minute decision that he admitted he wouldn't have done if the event hadn't benefitted the kids his foundation helps -- was a test. He said Friday after his round that he hadn't even been sure how he would feel when he woke up after one round.
But to listen to the media, you'd think that Tiger was supposed to look like a finely-tuned machine instead of a recovering back patient. Really?
I've heard complaints that Tiger wasn't sincere, that he "does not tee it up until he thinks he can win." I've listened to or study a group of reviews of his "new swing" and why it's now not going to work. And I've heard constant gripes that he clearly have to tee it up subsequent week at the Greenbrier so he can get in some greater reps.
First of all, I'd like to understand who would not exchange over the route of 15 years. Are you precisely the identical you were a decade ago? If so, I sense sorry for you... Even useless humans decompose.
Perhaps I neglected something however within the presser I noticed, Tiger become asked if he thought he ought to win. He responded, "The intention is always the equal..." but then he grinned and delivered "...But it is going to be lots harder this time." That sounds to me like someone who notion the query was unrealistic and spoke back it with a joke. But seemingly Tiger isn't allowed to alternate OR to shaggy dog story.
Does anybody truly believe that Tiger's swing on Thursday and Friday is a finished product? Excuse me, but are two weeks of full swings after Tiger couldn't even move for a while enough time to completely figure out what changes are needed? As I recall, Tiger made a grip change on Wednesday during the pro-am. And on Friday he said his back didn't hurt but other muscles were sore from disuse. It's one thing to try and figure out what sort of changes Tiger and Sean Foley are trying out, but isn't it a bit early to be critiquing their efforts?
As for playing again before the Open -- the event he and his doctors were originally shooting for -- someone announced earlier in the week (I think I heard it on GC, but it could have been ESPN) that Tiger's doctors had OK'ed him for one week only. Sounds sensible to me, given the circumstances.
And given that this week wasn't originally in the plan and that presumably the doctors would like to evaluate him before he tees it up again, wouldn't committing to next week be a bit... well, STUPID? It amazes me how everybody could keep saying that they hoped Tiger would be smart and not move too fast, only to complain that he isn't moving fast enough!
With Tiger missing the cut this week, the doctors might have enough time to evaluate him and, if they believe it's safe, he would still have time to commit to the Greenbrier by cutoff time this Friday afternoon. But that's if they believe it's safe -- not the fans, not the sponsors, and certainly not the media.
Of route, given how often Tiger has constant his swing without gambling extra tournaments... Does he actually need to play more, just because the media says so? I recognize he is taking his children on holiday. Clearly the media's opinion issues him!
Tiger doesn't need me to be his apologist, and I haven't signed up for the job. But isn't it time to realize that Tiger Woods is a human being and treat him like one? He'll figure out his golf swing eventually and all will be right in the golf world again.-- he always does, you know.
But I for one am just glad he finally feels well enough to tee it up again. Couldn't we just celebrate that for a change?
OK, rant over. I don't know about you, but I sure feel better!
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