Tiger invited to johnie walkers

[carpediem4300]

just flashed up on sky sports news, monty's invited tiger to play at gleneagles next week, would be interesting if he accepted

[RichF]

How much is on the table?

US$1million? More?

[carpediem4300]

doesnt say, it was just a quick news flash with a few words from monty

[Chilli Dipper]

If Tiger knew what's best for him, he'd take it. He's healthy now; his new swing is coming along very well mechanically, but he needs to fine-tune it, and the only way he's going to do that is to test it in competition. Just because he won't be participating in the FedEx Cup playoffs doesn't mean he should spend the next several months shagging balls in his backyard. He should spend the fall playing in tournaments in Europe and Asia, getting tournament ready for next year and improving his global image by playing in parts of the world where he hasn't in years, if ever.

Plus, the Ryder Cup is going to be held at Gleneagles in 2014. If he plays, Tiger would be the first American to see the course in competition.

[RichF]

Not / never going to happen.

There's NO chance Woods will even consider playing 3 links courses in Scotland in September unless serious dollar is involved....nothing to do with practice or swings or Monty or where his game his now or anything....it's all about the money .

[Chilli Dipper]

Originally Posted by RichF

Not / never going to happen.

There's NO chance Woods will even consider playing 3 links courses in Scotland in September unless serious dollar is involved....nothing to do with practice or swings or Monty or where his game his now or anything....it's all about the money.

You're thinking of the Dunhill Links Championship, which isn't until October. The Johnnie Walker Championship is played on a single course which isn't a links, and I'm sure that the invitation extended to Woods comes at a good price. As I mentioned in my previous post, Gleneagles is hosting the Ryder Cup three years from now, and Tiger Woods playing in their tournament now makes for great publicity down the road. It's all about the money for Gleneagles, too.

[jamo]

If Tiger knew what's best for him, he'd take it. He's healthy now; his new swing is coming along very well mechanically, but he needs to fine-tune it, and the only way he's going to do that is to test it in competition. Just because he won't be participating in the FedEx Cup playoffs doesn't mean he should spend the next several months shagging balls in his backyard. He should spend the fall playing in tournaments in Europe and Asia, getting tournament ready for next year and improving his global image by playing in parts of the world where he hasn't in years, if ever.

Plus, the Ryder Cup is going to be held at Gleneagles in 2014. If he plays, Tiger would be the first American to see the course in competition.

I agree with this. There's a very small chance of him doing it, but I think it'd be in his best interest to do so.

[Chilli Dipper]

Originally Posted by jamo

I agree with this. There's a very small chance of him doing it, but I think it'd be in his best interest to do so.

Yeah, the most counterproductive thing Tiger can do (for his game and the state of public opinion) is retreat to his mansion for another three months. That's most likely what's going to happen, though.

[Yukari]

Ditto.  He should absolutely fine tune his game at tournaments.  But will he??? I hope so...

Originally Posted by jamo

I agree with this. There's a very small chance of him doing it, but I think it'd be in his best interest to do so.

[ghalfaire]

I concur.  He needs work in competition if he thinks about ever winning another major.  Not playing in competition the next few months would be the worst thing he could do.  You can really fool yourself if all you do is hit balls on the practice range/green.

Originally Posted by Chilli Dipper

Yeah, the most counterproductive thing Tiger can do (for his game and the state of public opinion) is retreat to his mansion for another three months. That's most likely what's going to happen, though.

[Zwick]

Agree, he should play some tournaments.

And he should play Crans-Montana too, if he's already in Europe.

1. Great field this year (Rory, Kaymer, Westwood, Clarke...)

2. I would have a reason to miss some other events that weekend (that I don't want to go to)

[newtogolf]

I agree with you all, Tiger should accept and would likely benefit from playing competitive golf rather than just practice.  I think he may have to check with Steinberg before he decides as I not sure how the bad golf he's played the last two weeks has impacted his future endorsement deals.  Tigers bag has been withoutout sponsorship since AT&T; bailed and I doubt anyone is willing to pay high dollars for it given his current level of play.

[Chilli Dipper]

I agree with you all, Tiger should accept and would likely benefit from playing competitive golf rather than just practice.  I think he may have to check with Steinberg before he decides as I not sure how the bad golf he's played the last two weeks has impacted his future endorsement deals.  Tigers bag has been withoutout sponsorship since AT&T; bailed and I doubt anyone is willing to pay high dollars for it given his current level of play.

Sponsors are avoiding Tiger not so much because he's playing poorly as because he isn't playing or making public appearances at all. Why would any company want their brand represented by a hermit?

[etclaw1]

Tiger sits at 129 FEDEX wise, why isnt he playing the Wyndham, wouldnt a decent finish put him in the top 125?

[Dad-2-3]

Maybe this has something to do with it??

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/08/fred-couples-tiger-woods-presidents-cup/1

[newtogolf]

Right now we're all speculating, so are the sponsors.  Can Tiger get his form back?  Will Tiger dominate like he did?  Will Tiger beat Jack's record for Majors?  At some point Tigers going to have to go out there and win or everyone will just lose interest.  I doubt any company is willing to sign him to an endorsement deal until he can prove he's able to play to the level he once did.  It could be like the old adage, "better to say nothing and have people think you're a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt".  Steinberg might be telling Tiger until he's swinging right that he should avoid any more tournanments in fear that many more missed cuts could cost them both substantial  money.

Originally Posted by Chilli Dipper

Sponsors are avoiding Tiger not so much because he's playing poorly as because he isn't playing or making public appearances at all. Why would any company want their brand represented by a hermit?

[Zwick]

According to his press conference 2 weeks ago: He has family obligations this week.

Originally Posted by etclaw1

Tiger sits at 129 FEDEX wise, why isnt he playing the Wyndham, wouldnt a decent finish put him in the top 125?

[Chilli Dipper]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Right now we're all speculating, so are the sponsors.  Can Tiger get his form back?  Will Tiger dominate like he did?  Will Tiger beat Jack's record for Majors?  At some point Tigers going to have to go out there and win or everyone will just lose interest.  I doubt any company is willing to sign him to an endorsement deal until he can prove he's able to play to the level he once did.  It could be like the old adage, "better to say nothing and have people think you're a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt".  Steinberg might be telling Tiger until he's swinging right that he should avoid any more tournanments in fear that many more missed cuts could cost them both substantial  money.

Corporate sponsorships are not simply about how an individual is performing right now, especially when the individual in question is arguably the greatest person ever to play his sport. Tiger Woods' legacy alone is enough to warrant major endorsement deals, much like how Michael Jordan and John McEnroe are still relevant to the companies whose advertising campaigns they feature in. Sponsorships are not about simply associating yourself with a winner; sponsorships are about making an investment in an entity that will improve your brand's recognition among the public at large.

Certain companies were quick to dissociate themselves with Tiger after his infidelities were made public. That's understandable, but Americans are ultimately forgiving of those things. The bigger problem is that Tiger, who was a reserved personality that valued his privacy even before the scandal, has become outright reclusive in the two years since. He's not playing in many tournaments, he's not attending public events, and he's not giving any interviews outside of the canned, often flippant responses he makes during press conferences. Tiger seems to want to make himself as inaccessible a figure as possible, and that's bad news as it relates to an apparatus that is dependent on accessibility.

I have no idea what Steinberg is advising Tiger to do; whatever it is, it either isn't working, or Tiger isn't cooperating. I doubt that Steinberg isn't the one telling Tiger play, because he much more to lose by not playing at all (and alienating sponsors) than he is by not playing his best.