You’re saying you think Tiger has been substantially less popular with fans ??? The same Tiger that produces dramatically higher TV ratings for tournaments in which he competes? The one who pulls in those product endorsement gigabucks?
Oddly enough, though people watch Tiger, they don’t seem to like him. Fat boy Mickelson always comes in higher in popularity contests. Tiger gets admiration for his golf ability, not adoration as a personality. I don’t think people will stop watching him unless his game suffers.
I don’t understand the difference between option 3 and 4 in the poll.
Or 1 and 2, for that matter. I declare this poll a total flop shot.
Tigers endorsements all dried up. He will be knocking off party stores before this is over.
Based on all of the info out there, sexual escapades are a huge part of Tiger’s life. Perhaps the ability to have sex every night with hot women was his real incentive in life. Maybe the one way that his golf game suffers is if that incentive goes away.
Think about it, Friday nights and Saturday nights are the big party nights in most places. Pro golfers make their money on weekends. The good golfers get late tee times, and are able to party until late in the night. The crappy golfers, if they make the cut, have to get up early on weekends for early tee times. Being a great golfer allowed Tiger to stay out late and wake up late on weekends. Just a thought.
If anything I think Tiger will put more energy into his golf. It is his one refuge and he ahs always been very focused. I agree with the poster above who siad 2010 may be one of his best years yet.
Okay, just to recap: Setback, absolutely. Game will take a dip, at least for a little while, very likely. Dip will last more than a few weeks, unlikely. Will go a long time before his next win, doubtful. Will quietly fade out, hell no x 9000, possibly more.
As for the majors record, it’s a longshot now, but definitely don’t bet the ranch against it. He has built up so many credentials that even without sponsors’ exemptions, he can keep his career going for as long as he wants. Keep in mind, too, that no one, no one, can consistently face him eye-to-eye and walk away the winner. At best you get an occasional inexplicable only-in-golf fluke like Cabrera.
As for the infidelity issue, symtrees (ESPN.com story on Tiger’s announced hiatus) said it best: If you want to live the playboy lifestyle, don’t get married! I just don’t understand this mentality, that you have to tie the knot, have to fulfill your obligation to society or whatever when you have absolutely no intention of following through on it. It’s especially baffling that he’d set himself up for such a bombshell when he’s done such a fine job of never saying or doing anything that might even be remotely considered even remotely offensive. He was like the anti-Charles Barkley.
He’ll make a comeback, and win at least one major in 2010. I do predict he ends up divorced though. Dude, just don’t get married again, OK? I’ll bet money that he wins at least 19 majors.
Tiger is the rare person who could be sued for divorce for 1 billion and turn around and successfully sue for 1.1 billion. He will be back for the Masters and probably win.
He’s a golfer, not a politician.
If he can win tournaments, his career continues.
I believe it is a continuum. Taking out the humor, I see the answers as follows:
[ol]
[li]Yes. He will never be able to play again.[/li][li]Yes. He’ll play, but he won’t be as good.[/li][li]No. It may be hard, but he’ll still do well in the end.[/li][li]No. Nothing ever phases Tiger.[/li][/ol]