Did Tiger earn back any of your respect?

[RonTheSavage]

(Sorry for the long paragraph. I tried to add spaces to make it easier to read but they dont show up when I submit the post) I dont know Phil personally but I've heard before that guys on tour dont really like the guy. There was this GQ piece written back in 06. That's long been known to media members who cover golf, and to fans who are connoisseurs of PGA Tour gossip. Mickelson battles Sergio Garcia, among others, when it comes to the title of Tour player least-liked by other tour golfers. Still, it's a surprise to see someone whose public persona is so cheerful, someone who is so loved by fans, show up on a list of "The Ten Most Hated Athletes." But that's exactly where Mickelson shows up - at No. 8 - in the most recent issue of GQ magazine. Here's what the magazine's article says about how Mickelson is viewed by his peers: Last August at the PGA Championship at Baltusrol, in New Jersey, a reporter turned to a golfer on the tour and said of Phil Mickelson, "Man, the fans here love Phil." The golfer replied, "They don't know him the way we do." It blew our minds a little when we heard this, since Mickelson ranks among the most admired golfers in America. But today the same reporter makes his case bluntly: "Phil Mickelson literally has no friends out there. He annoys everybody." Mickelson has earned many nicknames on the Tour, but our favorite is FIGJAM ... "There are a bunch of pros who think he and his whole smiley, happy face are a fraud," another reporter says. "They think he's preening and insincere." Notice those ellipses after "FIGJAM"? The GQ article explained what that stands for, but it contains a word we can't reproduce here. But the five words following that first word are "... I'm good -- just ask me." (Read the article if you want to see the dirty word in print - but I'm guessing you know what the "F" stands for.) Of course, some of the anti-Phil feeling on Tour may stem from the fact that Mickelson is better than all but 2-3 other guys out there, and that he is truly loved by fans. On the other hand, this behind-the-scenes chatter has been consistent throughout Mickelson's career.

[Kevin18]

Originally Posted by RonTheSavage

(Sorry for the long paragraph. I tried to add spaces to make it easier to read but they dont show up when I submit the post)I dont know Phil personally but I've heard before that guys on tour dont really like the guy. There was this GQ piece written back in 06.That's long been known to media members who cover golf, and to fans who are connoisseurs of PGA Tour gossip. Mickelson battles Sergio Garcia, among others, when it comes to the title of Tour player least-liked by other tour golfers.Still, it's a surprise to see someone whose public persona is so cheerful, someone who is so loved by fans, show up on a list of "The Ten Most Hated Athletes." But that's exactly where Mickelson shows up - at No. 8 - in the most recent issue of GQ magazine.Here's what the magazine's article says about how Mickelson is viewed by his peers: Last August at the PGA Championship at Baltusrol, in New Jersey, a reporter turned to a golfer on the tour and said of Phil Mickelson, "Man, the fans here love Phil." The golfer replied, "They don't know him the way we do." It blew our minds a little when we heard this, since Mickelson ranks among the most admired golfers in America. But today the same reporter makes his case bluntly: "Phil Mickelson literally has no friends out there. He annoys everybody."Mickelson has earned many nicknames on the Tour, but our favorite is FIGJAM ... "There are a bunch of pros who think he and his whole smiley, happy face are a fraud," another reporter says. "They think he's preening and insincere."Notice those ellipses after "FIGJAM"? The GQ article explained what that stands for, but it contains a word we can't reproduce here. But the five words following that first word are "... I'm good -- just ask me." (Read the article if you want to see the dirty word in print - but I'm guessing you know what the "F" stands for.)Of course, some of the anti-Phil feeling on Tour may stem from the fact that Mickelson is better than all but 2-3 other guys out there, and that he is truly loved by fans. On the other hand, this behind-the-scenes chatter has been consistent throughout Mickelson's career.

Well I officially don't know what to think. This was a very eye opening post to read. Not that I'm questioning your credibility, but I somewhat don't want to believe it, you know? He does seem like such a nice guy and a class act. It's similar to the whole Santa Claus revelation for me: Something that I've believed for so long and actually looked up to as a respectful golfer isn't exactly what he seems..

[RonTheSavage]

Just remember who you choose to like is your business. Who cares what others think of Phil, it's your right as a fan to root for the guy. Im a Tiger guy, even though some people believe he's a jerk I couldnt care less. I love watching the guy golf at a high level. My uncle went to I beieve a US Open at Pebble years ago and he woke up early enough to be the first car at the gate in the AM. As the gates opened a Buick cut him off and raced through the gates. (It was Tiger late for his warm-up) Somehow my uncle was able to get close enough to Tiger at some point during his round and jokingly let him know he was the guy he cut off earlier that day. He said Tiger was very apologetic and chuckled his alarm didnt go off that morning. Now true enough this was Tiger of maybe 10 years ago and who knows how that conversation would go these days LOL.

[Spyder]

It is definitely hard to watch videos like this and hate the guy. I showed a few guys that constantly take every opportunity to bash tiger this video and they kind of just took the "Ahh, alright... well... that was cool of him" approach.

This video was from a while ago obviously, but again.. you can be someone who sleeps with tons of women, you may not have your priorities "in order" according to the general public who are not living your daily life, you may have some addictions that are also questionable to your health and morally wrong by public standard...

BUT , you can damn well be a good father, a good friend, a decent character, etc. I'm not defending him, but I'm stating obvious factors that way too many people overlook.

Do you never trust a guy who used to sell/use drugs and is now clean and back on track? Do you never forgive someone who used to be an alcoholic but is now sober? Do you not trust a guy who cheated on his past two wives/girlfriends?

You don't know everyone's situation, what their life is like, etc. All you can do is assume and say what you would do now - having lived your "normal" life up until this point. Many of us who say we would never be in Tiger's shoes with marital problems etc. can't say that with 100% certainty. If you had his lifestyle, upbringing, fame, attention, and everything that comes with being him - things can and could be different from how you see things as an average Joe right now. Just think about it...

[Hacker James]

With maturity comes wisdom hopefully. I recall that when Tiger first came on the scene he was considered rude and aloof, refusing to sign autographs, did not socialize much in the "locker" room with the seasoned players and if I recall correctly a few even attempted to give him a few words of wisdom.  He was very young then, may have been uncomfortable in his surroundings, but he does seem to have matured a great deal and handle himself pretty well now. When I worked at Titleist, he and his father visited the plant, I did not get a chance to seeTiger, but his Dad was discovered "sleeping" in the machine shop. On a similar note, I  think that the interview Sergio gave recently went pretty well. He  seemed genuinely "repentant".

[bobsuruncle]

Originally Posted by RoyJeeBiv

...he never lost my respect.

if an athlete is a cheat in his sport (i.e. steroids in baseball), he loses my respect.

if an athlete is a cheat in his personal life, it's none of my business.

ditto ...

i don't impose my religious or moral values on others, as i hope they will not do the same to me.

[Nutter]

Originally Posted by Spyder

It is definitely hard to watch videos like this and hate the guy. I showed a few guys that constantly take every opportunity to bash tiger this video and they kind of just took the "Ahh, alright... well... that was cool of him" approach.

This video was from a while ago obviously, but again.. you can be someone who sleeps with tons of women, you may not have your priorities "in order" according to the general public who are not living your daily life, you may have some addictions that are also questionable to your health and morally wrong by public standard...

BUT, you can damn well be a good father, a good friend, a decent character, etc. I'm not defending him, but I'm stating obvious factors that way too many people overlook.

Do you never trust a guy who used to sell/use drugs and is now clean and back on track? Do you never forgive someone who used to be an alcoholic but is now sober? Do you not trust a guy who cheated on his past two wives/girlfriends?

You don't know everyone's situation, what their life is like, etc. All you can do is assume and say what you would do now - having lived your "normal" life up until this point. Many of us who say we would never be in Tiger's shoes with marital problems etc. can't say that with 100% certainty. If you had his lifestyle, upbringing, fame, attention, and everything that comes with being him - things can and could be different from how you see things as an average Joe right now. Just think about it...

I agree with you completely, non of us know what it's like to be in the spotlight and have the kind of temptation someone in that position would have and no ones claiming they would do better.  I don't condemn Tiger's actions because I certainly don't measure up morally and we all have our flaws, but if you respected him man to man for his ability to also pull off being a good father and husband now you can't, it's not a big deal it's just how it is.  No one's is imposing moral values on him, I think 100% of children including us would rather their would rather have good parents than not.  If you truly felt it was none of your business you would have ignored everything giving detail into the situation and wouldn't be here discussing it.

Regardless, this video proves golf has always been too easy for this guy and I know were all jealous of that

[skinnydriver2]

I personally have no respect for Tiger since the scandal. In my opinion, what happens on the course (or field, court, etc.) is not nearly as important as who you are off the course as a person. Being an athlete is secondary to being a person. Although I respect and appreciate his talent and skill, I lost my respect for him personally through the scandal.

[Pablo68]

I respect his talent. Truly, he has worked hard to achieve what he's accomplished and hard work is to be respected. That being said, I don't respect him as a person but don't label me a 'Tiger-Hater'. I used to root for him all the time but eventually grew tired of his 'Above the Law' mentality. It started well before his transgression outside his marriage and I wasn't that surprised when that all went down. Has he changed? Nope. Given his Masters debacle, it's all too apparent he's still an egotistical ahole who feels he's bigger than the game itself.

[Bananarama]

Tiger is the rock star of golf, I think I admire him more now than ever.

[Stretch]

I did like this!

[colin007]

Geez, Rors couldn't even button his top button?  Maybe that's why Tigs is giving him the ear flick?