Birdying five of the last six holes on a course as tough as Bay Hill to win the "Arnold Palmer Invitational" is quite impressive indeed. But that's exactly what Irishman Rory McIlroy did to storm the field en route to a three stroke victory. It seemed somehow appropriate on the weekend of St. Patrick's day.
Conversely, I've never bought into the proposition that Tiger Woods was "back". Sure, he has his legions of fans, and he was at least competitive throughout this tournament. But as it wore on, I kept waiting for him to implode. And he finally did, hitting a ball into somebody's back yard and bogeying two of the last three holes to -- well -- choke.
Though dear Eldrick seems to have toned down his former boorish self on the course, replete with club pounding and expletives, it appears he'll never be able to completely tame the savage beast that evidently remains inside him. Yep, he's all smiles these days, especially when things are going semi-well, but those pesky f-bombs under his breath are still there to see. Hi-def doesn't miss much these days.
What continues to be amazing is the hero worship that is showered on Eldrick Tont Woods. The galleries in attendance go ballistic when he merely hits a drive into the fairway or taps in a two foot par putt. Neither is notable for any other player except Woods.
The TV folks can't seem to get enough of this guy. During a recent "strobe" effect on the air, I counted 42 images of Tiger. I think I saw a Rickey in there once. Maybe a Phil. Perhaps even one or two of the Justins. And 4-5 Arnie's. I mean Palmer designed the course and created the tournament, so even his memory should get a LITTLE air time, right? But 42 Eldricks? Really? When he hasn't won squat in several years? How does that compute?
From what I saw clicking back and forth from NCAA hoops, the NASCAR race, and the golf tourney, Woods has also become a painfully slow player on the course. See Tiger line up his next shot. See Tiger gaze into the gallery with a vacant stare. See Tiger toss some grass blades into the air to check the wind. See Tiger re-line up his shot. See Tiger take a few practice strokes. See Tiger chat with his caddie and change clubs. See Tiger start the whole routine all over again. Hey dude. Hit the damned ball while we're still alive. Is that asking too much? It's got to drive the other players bonkers. But the announcers love it. The better to quick, sneak in a few more Tiger highlights from earlier in the tournament. Or maybe another tournament long past. Anything to keep pounding Tiger TIGER TIGER down the throats of those who haven't clicked to something else in disgust yet. What is it with this guy? He's not even in the top 100 in the world, hasn't won a major in a decade, the betting odds these days are more about whether he makes the cut than wins a tournament, and was exposed as a serial wife-cheater not long ago.
This is the object of hero-worship? Who ARE these people that continue to faun all over him as if he's godlike?
Yet in the end, the powers of good triumphed. Nobody questions Rory McIlroy as a fine young lad. And Swede Henrik Stenson, for quite a while the leader of this tournament, has always been a gentleman's gentleman. Both quiet, unassuming, and humble. The exact opposite of Woods, who continues to play to the cameras, remains the same boor away from the cameras and microphones, and has never seen an interview (photo-op) he won't jump at and product he won't endorse.
The grotesque favoritism really is getting sickening to any impartial sports fan. Any tournament in which Woods plays will feature him on TV at least half the time, whether he's in contention or not. And even if he's NOT entered in the tournament, they'll find a way to ram a few Eldrick highlights of the past down the throats of the collective viewers. It's a phenomenon unheard of in any other sport regarding any other player. I mean, that would be like watching a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, and having the TV folks throw in a few highlights of Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl for the Patriots. Get outta here with that stuff. Who cares? See Tiger take a drink of water, eat a banana, scratch his backside, joke with his caddie, check that pesky wind again, and re-re-reline up his next shot -- all while play goes on all over the rest of the course, with a lot of players ahead of him on the scoreboard. What kind of kangaroo court coverage is that?
Here's an idea. Wake me up if and when this dude actually wins something. Yes, the name Trump seems to be in every news headline and story, as the Prez no doubt likes it. But at least he has a recent victory of sorts under his belt. That's far more than Eldrick Tont Woods can claim.
Some claim golf is better with Tiger Woods. I maintain quite the opposite. It is far, FAR more entertaining to watch when the coverage is spread around equally among so many good players.
This Tiger Woods show has become quite disgusting. Did I mention win something?
Thing is, in the unlikely event he actually does, lord help us. There will be no end to it.
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