Josh Scobee calls out Tiger Woods

It's been comical to watch the reactions generated by an event that will never happen. The talking heads are coming to the aid of their boy Tiger Woods, and his legions of fans are outraged. How dare somebody challenge their hero to a money match on a golf course?

OMG, one would have thought the Anti-Christ himself had appeared and called out the Pope to show up in the octagon for a fight to the death. Sacrilege. Blasphemy. Almost as bad as a place kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars daring to challenge Eldrick Tont Woods to a round of golf with some serious out-of pocket change at stake.

But it just happened and, like the Pope, Tiger wouldn't dare accept the challenge -- because he just might get beat. Let's look a little closer.

Such a challenge is not without precedent. Decades ago, motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel issued a similar challenge to PGA pro Lee Trevino. At that time, it was $10,000 a hole, big money back in those days. Knievel claimed that Trevino was used to playing for mega-bucks, but it was always for somebody else's money (tournament sponsors). He further claimed Trevino would choke if he had to put up his own dough. As we know, Trevino never accepted that challenge. Who would have won how much is a matter of speculation. And while most assume Trevino would have easily prevailed, he didn't dare go for it, lest he, horrors!!, actually come out on the short end. He would have never lived down being beaten head-up by the likes of a motorcycle daredevil that golfed in his spare time.

Much the same goes for Tiger with Scobee's current challenge. He wouldn't dare accept, but perhaps for a different reason. He might very WELL get beat by Scobee. And the stakes have gone up. It's now $100,000 a hole.

What's really adding insult to diss is Scobee offered to spot Woods two strokes per side. In other words, he thinks he can beat Eldrick by at least 4 strokes over 18 holes.

What is unclear is how the "two strokes a side" would come into play. Would Tiger get to choose which holes to apply them to if necessary?

Of course, the Tiger faithful scoff at such a notion. He'd wipe the course with Scobee, they say. Add in the 4 strokes to boot, and Scobee would have to shoot a spectacular round (mid 60s or better) to avoid being taken for potentially $1.8 million dollars in a clean sweep. It's possible.

But it's also possible that things would play out quite differently. Scobee's pretty much a "scratch" golfer. If he went out and shot 18 holes at around par 72 in such a contest, how well might he fare?

Given the sorry state of Woods' game of late, it's not too hard to imagine Tiger putting up a 78, 80, or worse. His driving remains erratic, his chipping is in the dumpster, and he's lost his putting stroke.

Pressure? Scobee's a place kicker in the NFL. He knows a little something about performing under pressure. Either make the kicks or start looking for another job. They have "cuts" on the PGA Tour every week, but those guys get to come back the next week and try again somewhere else like it never happened. NFL "cuts" are a lot harsher. More like "you're fired" and good luck finding a job someplace else. So a day on the links playing a money match against a washed-up golfer that USED to be good isn't likely to get his bowels in an uproar.

For that matter, consider the money that would be on the line. Scobee makes around $3.5 million a year, so he's willing to put up around half a year's salary. If he got smoked, that would be a big financial hit. On the other hand, Woods, with all his endorsement money, raked in almost $80 million. Even if he lost every hole, it would only represent roughly 2% of his yearly earnings. Hardly a wallet buster. Who would the pressure be on indeed?

Like Trevino was afraid to play Knievel, and Mayweather was afraid to fight Pacquiao when it mattered, chances are Tiger is scared to death to tee it up with Scobee. Because you just know the TV folks would be all over it. If Woods prevailed, the only thing he would have proven is the former #1 player in the world could beat a place kicker at the golfer's own game. Not much to crow about.

But if he lost, especially being spotted 4 strokes going in -- God help Eldrick Tont. If he thought that scandal and divorce a while back was rough, and his recent shoddy play on tour was embarrassing -- he would wake up in a whole new world of shame -- if he has any -- no given to date. Even his staunchest die-hard backers and apologists might have to reconsider their future hero worship.

Yet never fear, Tigerites, your boy isn't about to tee it up with a place kicker, no pun intended. He would have little to gain and a whole lot to lose if he did so.

And he might just lose at that. Ever see Scobee play golf? Me neither. But I've seen Tiger lately, and it isn't pretty.

But tell me you wouldn't tune in to watch such a match, and I'll tell you I don't believe it. Of course you would. So would I.

A hundred grand a hole of their own money, payable on the spot? Are you kidding? This would be must-see TV. Maybe not Super Bowlish, but certainly better than another Tiger press conference or a Jags game.