Tiger throws driver into gallery in disgust....

[TempoIsKey]

I was just wondering if there was a correlation between the outbursts and his playing. For me anyway, I played worse when I used to get upset at bad shots. Now, a big part of what I work on is keeping calm and focused.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Tigers outbursts have never really botherd me at all. I dont support them, I just dont give a sh*t... Tigers club bouncing into the crowd was unintended, and im pretty sure he was embarrased and wanted to get away ASAP. But judging the cheers he still got, i dont think the Aussies cared much about it.

[FHopper]

Now that I have seen the post play interviews and awards ceremony I have to say I am disappointed that he did not refer to it and apologize. In fact his post play interview was very disturbing in that he was SO personable with that million dollar smile then turned away to Steve and the face went stern like a switch had been thrown. If I end up deciding Tiger's persona is fake rather than genuine then I am going to be very sad.

[iacas]

Now that I have seen the post play interviews and awards ceremony I have to say I am disappointed that he did not refer to it and apologize. In fact his post play interview was very disturbing in that he was SO personable with that million dollar smile then turned away to Steve and the face went stern like a switch had been thrown. If I end up deciding Tiger's persona is fake rather than genuine then I am going to be very sad.

He was asked about it... after Saturday's round when it happened. He gave a pithy response which you can look up in various places.

Sunday when he talked was another day and he'd won by two (without throwing any clubs into any galleries).

[GolferNewb]

Wow, it must be the club and not him... That is really a sad example of how golf and go bad. He needs to back down quite a bit and be an example to the fans that HE wanted to be an example too.

[lobsterzilla]

I dont recall Tiger ever asking to be the embassador of golf... When did Tiger say. "I want to be the role model and example to the masses" ?

[golfdad]

i think tiger is not only a very competitive person, but also a conscientious one,,,by now. i don't want to throw the race card here, but growing up as a black kid in america trying to break into a game that is traditionally not dominated by minorities, tiger must have learnt from his parents, the environment or even himself, to watch his word and deed. in fact, i have read that both his mother and father were very strict about him behaving himself on the course. he threw clubs as kid (very likely not the lame bounce he did this time) and his father stopped him and threatened him about it: stop it or no more golf.

sure, he signed no contract or pledge to be a role model. he has grown into that role. it goes without saying that as one of the most well known brand names on the planet, he knows better how to behave.

when he reached out his hand, waiting for his club to be returned from the gallery, i could imagine his embarassment. that is why people regret later what they have done during a road rage, from the animal within,,,

[Shorty]

I dont recall Tiger ever asking to be the embassador of golf... When did Tiger say. "I want to be the role model and example to the masses" ?

That's the kind of thing people say when they are defending an "athlete" who gets busted for drugs or boozing or assault.

Tiger most certainly is a role model and he certainly wants to be seen as one. I hardly think that the odd act of petulance disqualifies him. Any interview you see with him he goes on about how his father wanted him to be a good man rather than a good golfer blah blah blah and Tiger himself adopts the "golf is what I do, not who I am" line. You would have to be crazy to think that Tiger does not take his reputation seriously.

[sean_miller]

I dont recall Tiger ever asking to be the embassador of golf... When did Tiger say. "I want to be the role model and example to the masses" ?

Are you serioius? Doesn't his charity teach kids to play golf as a way of making something out their lives? He must've had some say in the first Nike spots - "I'm Tiger Woods, I'm Tiger Woods, I'm Tiger Woods etc ad nauseum".

I do think the club throw is overblown though. I saw so many drivers getting tossed on the weekend during the Kiwi Challenge at Cape Kidnappers that I thought it was part of the challenge.

[BASHERBAKER69]

I haven't seen the incident- I was more upset that TW did not give an interview after the third round in Hong Kong last week...with his appearance fees the least he could do is be more friendly off the course.

WHO CARES if Tiger won the Australian Masters against a bunch of nobodies!...he should have won the tournament by ten shots against such a weak field- he isnt cutting it any more against the top players.

[kennay92]

I dont recall Tiger ever asking to be the embassador of golf... When did Tiger say. "I want to be the role model and example to the masses" ?

he knowingly took the role when he realized he was becoming one of the best golfers ever and now the best in the world (still playing)

but i dont think this incident is of big concern. So what, he got pissed and threw the club into the ground, which happend to go into the crowd, obviously the people in the crowd werent to worried about it as they had smiles on their faces.. i think the thoughts of them getting to touch tigers club overcame the fear of getting hit by it.

[NormH3]

Are you serioius? Doesn't his charity teach kids to play golf as a way of making something out their lives? He must've had some say in the first Nike spots - "I'm Tiger Woods, I'm Tiger Woods, I'm Tiger Woods etc ad nauseum".

overblown or not, i just saw the video on you tube. just my opinion, but it looked like he overhand threw the thing. The video isn't that good, but if I had done that on the street, I'm sure it would be assault and battery.

[Elvisliveson]

All I can say is, it will make me follow Tiger even more now. See, I want to be in his gallery when he launches his Scotty into it. That's one club he's not getting back.

[sean_miller]

overblown or not, i just saw the video on you tube. just my opinion, but it looked like he overhand threw the thing. The video isn't that good, but if I had done that on the street, I'm sure it would be assault and battery.

He should be fined or reprimanded. He could have taken an eye out. When a player carelessly crosses the [sometimes imaginary] line that protects spectators from the action there are typically repercussions. We'll see what, if anything, comes out of Tiger's antics - but I think equating them to a common assualt (with a golf club?) on the street is bit of a stretch.

I watched a few sports on the weekend - most of them featured people directing some type of violence towards an opponent - things which, when taken out of the context of the event, would be illegal.

[Seven Iron]

NOT SAYING YOU SHOULD EVER LET THE CLUB LEAVE YOUR HANDS IN ANGER....but Tiger didn't mean for it to do what it did. I think people should look closer at the footage before getting upset about it. We've all got our anger management styles, yes some are most definitely better than others. To be honest with you I would have LOVED it if Tiger's driver came a bouncin' my way and I got to give it back to him. Good stuff.

[Seven Iron]

I thought the exact same thing!!! When I saw the guy giving him his club back I turned to my mom and say, "Wonder how long it would take for them to catch me if I ran with it?" My mom laughed and said "Well he apparently didn't want it so I'd take it too."

[Zeph]

WHO CARES if Tiger won the Australian Masters against a bunch of nobodies!...he should have won the tournament by ten shots against such a weak field- he isnt cutting it any more against the top players.

Oh, it's you again. Not sure if I'll bother with such trolling, but OK.

WGC Accenture - T17 WGC CA - T9 Palmer Invitational - Won Tavistock Cup - 2 Masters Augusta - T6 Quail Hollow - 4 The Players - 8 The Memorial - Won US Open - T6 AT&T; National - Won The Open - Cut Buick Open - Won WGC Bridgestone - Won PGA Championship - 2 Notah Begay - Won The Barclays - T2 Deutsche Bank - T11 BMW Championship - Won Tour Championship - 2 The FedEx Cup - Won Presidents Cup - Won WGC HSBC - T6 JBWere Masters - Won

[Trav]

I dont recall Tiger ever asking to be the embassador of golf... When did Tiger say. "I want to be the role model and example to the masses" ?

Here are a few such times:

"President Barack Obama just named Tiger Woods as U.S. Ambassador of Goodwill. A similar position was held by ice skater Michelle Kwan in the Bush Administration. In his new role as U.S. diplomat, Tiger will have responsibility of improving U.S. standing around the world." Of the appointment, Tiger said, "I am deeply honored to serve as U.S. Ambassador of Goodwill and for the President of the United States." http://www.thegolfblog.com/2009/03/p...ods-as-us.html "Providing access to critical developmental programs is a priority for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Youth are encouraged to explore their interests and career aspirations in an inspiring and supportive environment at the Tiger Woods Learning Center. Achieving goals and reaching dreams is the focus of our nationwide character development program. The Foundation is giving youth the skills to lay their own groundwork for the future. We can proudly say that more than 10 million young people have benefited from the Tiger Woods Foundation since its inception in 1996. Through programs and annual events, the Foundation continues to make a difference in the lives of youth around the world. Our programs, initiatives and students continue to grow and exceed expectations every day. What started out with limited access throughout America, now reaches out to young people around the world." http://www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org/what_we_do.php