I guess Tiger doesn't think Azinger can handle it?

[Smallville]

How is that his fault, should we make him play worse....or should we look t TV ratings sine Tiger was injured?

It's not his fault how people think.

So does this mean you agree that it's different because it is Tiger, though it is not his fault? Or am I reading too much into that as well?

[EquipmentJunkie]

I think the comparisons you are trying to draw are not only irrelevant to the situation at hand but illogical as well. As Eric pointed out, none of those other players have been placed in this situation so there isn't anything to compare it to. Second the media is much more ravenous now in the technology age than it was in the past. Though I do not agree with this, hypothetically lets say you are right (though you aren't) and that Tiger is being handled differently. In that case it would not be his fault it would be the fault of those who interpret his comments incorrectly, the only person who falls into that category in this thread is you my friend.

[Pat007]

I think you've misinterpreted the situation. Of course, I've been wrong before.

I haven't been wrong since 1984! hahahaha

[LottaBalata]

If you would have quoted him completely, Tiger also said, "I've not played a practice round at Valhalla, and I just don't know how the course is playing. . ."

What CAN he do really? Stand on the sidelines and take away from the Team? I think he was simply saying, sorry I can't be there. I will help in anyway I can, but I'm just not sure how.

He is the best in the world.

Jeez

[iacas]

By saying they could call him any time he was NOT staying out of it. He was jumping right in the middle of it.

No, not at all. You know, I know, Tiger knows, and Paul Azinger knows that nobody's gonna be calling anyone.

"Call me anytime" was simply a polite thing to say. It is in NO WAY the equivalent of Tiger "jumping right in the middle of it." Not at all.

It is different because it's Tiger. Way too many people think Tiger is more important than the game itself. I am not one of them.

That's non-sequitur and, to be redundant, has nothing to do with what we're talking about.

OK, I can handle that I am the only person on this

You have and it should.

As far as it being in a newsletter rather than a press conference, it makes no difference how the answer was delivered. In fact doing it in this controlled manner does not allow the media to retort, which puts an end to distraction.

Exactly: his answering the questions

puts an end to the distraction of "what will Tiger's role in this Ryder Cup be?" He's answered: he won't have a role unless Paul calls him, and that ain't gonna happen. End of distraction.

The fact is that the media has been posing this question immensely and a non-response would have been more damaging, there are plenty of examples to attest to this.

Yup.

I've said all I can say on this now. Not only is the potential distraction a non-issue, one person's take on it certainly is.

[shortstop20]

I guess I never interpreted his comment like that at all.

[Smallville]

Shortstop -

No, it appears as though I was the only one on this board! That's OK I can shoulder the abuse! Just my opinion, nothing more.