Tiger Overcomes Enemies
The final round of the 2005 Masters will rank up there with the best ever. It had a comeback (two actually), a completely amazing and improbable shot (Tiger's birdie on 16) and a playoff hole. But what stuck out most to me is the ability of Tiger Woods to overcome all obstacles.
Tiger is one of golf's most loved characters but make no mistake about it, there are plenty of people out there who will consider their trip to the course incomplete until they personally witness Tiger fail. If you watched Tiger and Chris DiMarco play the 18th (during the 4th round) you witnessed a perfect example.
Tiger was a long iron away from the green and clinging to a one-stroke lead on the final hole. He approached the ball--with complete concentration--and a car alarm went off. Tiger calmly backed away from the ball to regroup. The alarm shut off immediately. At this point, it could have been an accidental fluke with terrible timing. But when Tiger approached the ball a second time and the alarm went on again--this time continuing for several seconds--it was obvious that someone was trying to break Tiger's concentration.
The second time Tiger, understanding what was happening, tried to ignore the alarm. He proceeded to make one of his worst shots of the tournament and bogey the hole.
I've never been able to understand why golfers are so sensitive about the smallest of distractions. As a baseball player, I remember the crowds on the road--Texas A&M and Oklahoma stand out--and the distraction the fans tried to create while we were at the plate. As if hitting a 90-mile-per-hour slider isn't tough enough, fans are cracking jokes or insulting your family. People are whistling and jeering and whatever else they can think of to ruin your concentration. But someone makes a peep during a golfer's back swing and suddenly the fan caused the bad shot? To me, it doesn't add up.
That being said, I was angry for Tiger during the final round of The Masters. The car alarm prank was bush-league. Whereas I was originally pulling for DiMarco, the car alarm stunt changed my loyalties. The alarm had me so uptight that I was afraid to watch. It put my nerves on end. I didn't want Tiger to have to shoot. And worst of all, it had its desired effect.
I was happy to see Tiger fight through it. Yes, everyone likes an underdog, but no one wants to see an uneven playing field. And I didn't hear any alarms going off during DiMarco's swing.
It was good to see Tiger pull through.
Tiger is one of golf's most loved characters but make no mistake about it, there are plenty of people out there who will consider their trip to the course incomplete until they personally witness Tiger fail. If you watched Tiger and Chris DiMarco play the 18th (during the 4th round) you witnessed a perfect example.
Tiger was a long iron away from the green and clinging to a one-stroke lead on the final hole. He approached the ball--with complete concentration--and a car alarm went off. Tiger calmly backed away from the ball to regroup. The alarm shut off immediately. At this point, it could have been an accidental fluke with terrible timing. But when Tiger approached the ball a second time and the alarm went on again--this time continuing for several seconds--it was obvious that someone was trying to break Tiger's concentration.
The second time Tiger, understanding what was happening, tried to ignore the alarm. He proceeded to make one of his worst shots of the tournament and bogey the hole.
I've never been able to understand why golfers are so sensitive about the smallest of distractions. As a baseball player, I remember the crowds on the road--Texas A&M and Oklahoma stand out--and the distraction the fans tried to create while we were at the plate. As if hitting a 90-mile-per-hour slider isn't tough enough, fans are cracking jokes or insulting your family. People are whistling and jeering and whatever else they can think of to ruin your concentration. But someone makes a peep during a golfer's back swing and suddenly the fan caused the bad shot? To me, it doesn't add up.
That being said, I was angry for Tiger during the final round of The Masters. The car alarm prank was bush-league. Whereas I was originally pulling for DiMarco, the car alarm stunt changed my loyalties. The alarm had me so uptight that I was afraid to watch. It put my nerves on end. I didn't want Tiger to have to shoot. And worst of all, it had its desired effect.
I was happy to see Tiger fight through it. Yes, everyone likes an underdog, but no one wants to see an uneven playing field. And I didn't hear any alarms going off during DiMarco's swing.
It was good to see Tiger pull through.
posted by Joe Siple | 8:15 PM
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