Let me take this opportunity to express my man crush on Tom Watson

[Wildcat]

For those living in Kansas City, it's known that Watson has had his own share of personal issues. It's also evident that Watson has struggled with these and lives with the regret they bring. Perhaps some of his advice to Tiger is motivated by the hindsight that he now has and a desire that he would himself have taken a different path at times in his past.

It's been good to see that Tom and his children are once again close. His son was interviewed on KC radio after the Open last year and I believe caddied for him at Pebble Beach last month. Tom's done a lot of good for Kansas City, especially for our local children's hospital, and it was so heartwrenching for many in the area to see that ball skip over the 18th green a year ago.

Tom will face a stiffer challenge this year at St. Andrews, but I'm hoping he'll make the cut so that we can at least see a few shots of him over the weekend playing golf in the environment where he's been at his best.

[senorchipotle]

I figured there was a 75% chance Tiger's name would somehow be mentioned in the first post. People sure do not disappoint. Can't wait to read the next thread about how great somebody we've never met is as a person.

here here. who is anybody to remark on someone's character whom we don't even know.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Watching an older player publicly demonize the current number 1 is not good for the game, it only makes it more tabloid. I personally think Watson is out of line, if he has a problem with tiger, he should be man enough to bring the concerns to him personally and in private. Complaining through the media just screams of soap box bitchery to me.

[muggs]

here here. who is anybody to remark on someone's character whom we don't even know.

Pretty sure I can safely say, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King were all pretty decent dudes, even though I've never had any of them over for a BBQ.

[sean_miller]

. . . he should be man enough to bring the concerns to him personally and in private.

You can state with certainty that he didn't try that route the first time? Maybe even more than once? Not one of us participating in this thread should be passing judgment on Tom Watson or Tiger Woods - at least on the issue that was unfortunately allowed into the conversation in post #1.

I've been very impressed by the way both men have played and won in tough conditions, and most notably, in major championships. But to me the truest test of character is how they perform in defeat. How do they finish up their round and address the media - the public - Woods could improve in that regard, but maybe that's because he's finished second so rarely.

[DavidFehertysBike]

You can state with certainty that he didn't try that route the first time? Maybe even more than once? Not one of us participating in this thread should be passing judgment on Tom Watson or Tiger Woods - at least on the issue that was unfortunately allowed into the conversation in post #1.

Well the comments where made in public so its probable that he has not. Im sure Watson has had plenty of opportunities to make his concerns known to tiger in private without creating this media spectacle where his name is mentioned in lines of questioning. Perhaps they have no relationship at all, and the things Watson said where just opinions made by an observer.

[sean_miller]

Well the comments where made in public so its probable that he has not. Im sure Watson has had plenty of opportunities to make his concerns known to tiger in private without creating this media spectacle where his name is mentioned in lines of questioning. Perhaps they have no relationship at all, and the things Watson said where just opinions made by an observer.

I believe he did speak to Woods (or perhaps wrote him a letter . . . ), so I guess we just disagree.

[senorchipotle]

Pretty sure I can safely say, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King were all pretty decent dudes, even though I've never had any of them over for a BBQ.

MLK cheated on his wife more than a few times. abe lincoln hated blacks only slighly less than he hated jefferson davis. FDR tried to rob americans of their freedom by taking their money and initiating a gov't takeover of society. moral of story, you cannot ''safely say'' that anyone has good character without having spent time with that person.

[Vladimir Puttin']

Besides all the reasons people have mentioned, any close friend of Rush Limbaugh is no one I'd admire. So many other people to look up to, unfortunately ol' Tom isn't one of 'em. Nice swing but not worthy of admiration.

[jimmizu]

I had a chance to meet Tom Watson at the US Open.
My mother always said "if you don't have something nice to say about someone don't say anything at all".
Tom Watson is (this space left intentionally blank) . And that's all I have to say about that.

[Tiger Spuds]

I believe he did speak to Woods (or perhaps wrote him a letter . . . ), so I guess we just disagree.

I'm almost certain I read in an interview that he wrote a letter to Woods regarding his language and behaviour on the course, but didn't receive a reply.This was before the scandal.

[sean_miller]

I'm almost certain I read in an interview that he wrote a letter to Woods regarding his language and behaviour on the course, but didn't receive a reply.This was before the scandal.

I am certain of it, but not 100% certain of the tournament. I believe it was during the British Open. I just watched a video and saw Tom's comments. The seemed genuine and pretty much what everyone else involved in the sport was saying in February. I'm sure Tom has his off moments, but was he so off the mark with his comments? Don't we champion Tiger for being honest with reporters? btw, a casual fan being rebuffed in public, by any type of celebrity, doesn't register as a character flaw for me. They encounter all sorts - and I just read in another thread that many golfers are even packing heat now!?!?

[muggs]

MLK cheated on his wife more than a few times. abe lincoln hated blacks only slighly less than he hated jefferson davis. FDR tried to rob americans of their freedom by taking their money and initiating a gov't takeover of society. moral of story, you cannot ''safely say'' that anyone has good character without having spent time with that person.

But you can slander them? Way to make yourself look completely hypocritical man. Can you at least recongize the hypocracy of that statement? Do it for yourself, not me.

btw- when FDR wasn't busy "trying to rob Americans of their freedom" he was also busy becoming on of my nation's greatest Presidents. IKE is tops in my book, but FDR is one of the best.

[Titleist_ProV1x]

This guy is awesome. I'm not old enough to have been around for this guy in his prime, but I wish I was. Actually, I wish this guy was my dad. Not only does the guy have unreal game for his age, but his attitude and philosophy on live is also pretty unreal.

Watson was and is a great golfer, but IMO his stories have far too much dramatization, especially when he speaks

[sean_miller]

Watson was and is a great golfer, but IMO his stories have far too much dramatization, especially when he speaks

That's probably true. Imagine Lee Trevino saying, "Tiger? That young man needs to get his shi+ together at home, then stop throwing tantrums like a spoiled child or a Williams sister, then he can gets back to the business of kicking everyone's butt!". For every offended person, there would have been 10 who smiled and said, "No kidding".

[JWL1957]

Im glad Tom called out Tiger for his on course antics. He did what all the other spineless players on tour wish they had the balls to do. Tom should have called out Stevie as well for his nasty mouth towards the galleries. My brother was at the TPC 3 years ago when Stevie came over to the ropes and cussed a guy out for talking. My brother who was standing next to the guy told Stevie that he had the wrong guy. The guy who was actually doing the talking was just walking by. Stevie didnt even have the decency to say sorry...... total prick.

[Stretch]

He did what all the other spineless players on tour wish they had the balls to do.

I'm guessing the others were probably just busy playing golf and, you know, minding their own damn business. Much like the guys who were out there a couple of decades ago when Watson was breaking up his own family by holing out into the wrong cup.

[muggs]

holing out into the wrong cup.

Hey-oooooooooo....ba da bump.