Tiger’s performance at Masters worth applauding
By S.C. Zuba
Sports Columnist
In sports, sometimes there are moral victories.
At the end of the day, the scoreboard may not be in your favor, but that doesn’t mean you lost. You may not always hoist the trophy over your head when all is said and done, but sometimes there is more than just the trophy.
Just look at Tiger Woods.
Tiger, admittedly by his own doing, had his life torn apart over the past four months. Literally, no stone was left unturned in his life and the lives of his family members. The media stopped at nothing to “get the story.”
This is not a plea on Tiger’s behalf—rather a moment to reflect upon what he overcame last weekend at Augusta National. In his return to professional golf, Tiger defied the odds and finished in a tie for fourth place at 11-under par for the tournament, five strokes behind the now three-time champion, Phil Mickelson.
Last Thursday, April 8, Tiger stepped into the tee box on the first hole at Augusta, knowing the world now knew his deepest, darkest secrets. We know everything. We know about the infidelity. We know about the mistresses. We know about the addiction. We know about the treatment. We know who he really is—or was.
Most importantly, we know what he tried to hide from the world for years.
Imagine, if you will, what that would be like. Imagine how it would feel to stand in front of the world, stripped of all your securities, knowing you had let America down; knowing you let children all across America down; knowing you blew it. On top of that, then be expected to compete in a golf tournament.
Oh, how trivial golf looks in all of this.
As I said earlier, this was a moral victory for Tiger.
As free-thinking people, we are allowed to think what we choose about Tiger. Love him. Hate him. Crucify him. Never give him another chance. Hold his transgressions against him for the rest of his life, if you’d like.
One thing, however, is undeniable: Tiger took a huge step last weekend competing in the Masters. The fact that he played four rounds of golf with all of America—and the world—keeping an eye on him, is a victory in itself.
He took yet another step in his road to redemption. He moved one more inch down his journey to forgiveness. He tried to show the world that he, too, is human.
And for that, I applaud his victory.
Share your thoughts with S.C. Zuba via e-mail at samuelczuba@yahoo.com.
From the April 14-20, 2010 issue
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One Comment
Any moral victory at the Masters belongs to Phil Mickelson, not only for winning the Masters but for his compassionate consideration of his wife!
Tiger Woods and moral victories shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same article!
Phil was the husband who took time away from the PGA tour after his wife was diagnosed with cancer, not to attend a sex addiction clinic, for cheating on his wife with 11 or more women!
Tiger further demonstrated his lack of character at the Masters when congratulations were due Mickelson . All Tiger could say during his interview was that he had entered the Masters and expected to win.
Tiger thinking about Tiger again – what an ego! He was just beaten by the better man – literally!
I just do not understand how sports, which are supposed to teach players how to cope with life’s challenges, fail to teach so many of the great athletes to use their achievements for something other than their own pleasure.
That would be bad enough. But what really is unbelievable is the fans and sports writers who believe that Tiger deserves applause for competing in a sporting event, when he should be trying to save his life and marriage! Now that would deserve applause!
All I saw was a man protesting too much that he didn’t win and the same man who is destined to fail again because he doesn’t know the meaning of the word, character or morality – which Mickelson personifies.
Samuel, where is your applause for those who live decent lives and still excel, not only in sports but life itself, setting an example for all, rather than one who leads young men astray as a bad role model?