Tiger's Death Stare at Alex Miceli

[jamo]

Tiger's last comment was "have a good day." What a classless a-hole.

I was referring to the "peach" remark, but no, it wouldn't have been the first time Tiger said "have a good day" with some snark in his voice.

[Leftygolfer]

Can he not be angry and irritated?  I thought he handled himself fine.  He was clearly frustrated with the question and he was pushing him.  I don't know how we can expect him to be super human and have no emotions.  He can only do that on the golf course.

[walk18]

I'm sorry - I have just had it with this childish idiot. I don't care anymore how good his game was at some point. There is so much more to being a professional athlete then execution of your game...and especially pro golfers to me...Jack N, Freddy Couples, Seve B, Tom Watson and on and on and on...all these guys had such class. I want to say this real clear -

I %$#@ing hate who Tiger has become and I wish this foul acting idiot would just go away and stop tarnishing professional golfers in terms of how he acts towards the press etc etc...

I think he is a classless  A hole.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/tiger-woods-golf-writer-heated-exchange-over-hank-183226468.html

The one redeeming thing about this thread was that it at least started with an apology.

[newtogolf]

If Tiger mentioned in an interview or press conference that he considered joining the SEALS then it would fair game to ask him about it, but it wasn't.  Tiger shared this thought with a mentor / coach and possibly someone he even considered a friend who then chose to cash in on their past relationship and write a book about their time together.

Do you expect a private conversation you have with a friend at work to be broadcast on the corporate blog or web site?  I don't.  Tiger had no reason to believe the conversations that he and Haney shared would someday be revealed in a book for all to read and that he'd have to answer questions to the press about them.  You're not being fair to Tiger or putting yourself in his position.

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

True but you also cant get annoyed when people ask you those questions.  Especially when those people are reporters whose JOB it is to ask those questions. Seriously, whys it got to be such a big secret?  Im sure a lot of people would admire Tiger for contemplating joining the military, especially having such a lofty goal of wanting to be a SEAL.

If Tiger seriously thinks the he is so special that he is the one and only celebrity who isnt going to have people talking about his personal life, well, guess again, Tiger.

[TourSpoon]

I don't think anyone really cared about the SEAL question. I believe that it is more sinister than that. If Alex could get him to answer one question about a topic that he would most likely talk about, then it makes the entire book fair game. It wasn't Tiger not answering a military question, it was Tiger closing the barn door his agent left open.

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

True but you also cant get annoyed when people ask you those questions.  Especially when those people are reporters whose JOB it is to ask those questions. Seriously, whys it got to be such a big secret?  Im sure a lot of people would admire Tiger for contemplating joining the military, especially having such a lofty goal of wanting to be a SEAL.

If Tiger seriously thinks the he is so special that he is the one and only celebrity who isnt going to have people talking about his personal life, well, guess again, Tiger.

You are totally missing the point. It's not about Tiger joining the Navy SEALS. It's about getting him to comment on something someone else said he said.

Lemme put it this way. Someone told me you like to wear women's clothes. So I guess you wouldn't mind if you were asked about that publicly, right? Repeatedly, right? What kind of women's clothes? Frilly, lacy numbers, or you more into leather? Why do you like to wear women's clothes? How do they make you feel? Are you gay?

See? That's what Tiger was fighting. He did not want to have a discussion about what Haney had to say about him in his book.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by newtogolf Do you expect a private conversation you have with a friend at work to be broadcast on the corporate blog or web site?  I don't.  Tiger had no reason to believe the conversations that he and Haney shared would someday be revealed in a book for all to read and that he'd have to answer questions to the press about them.  You're not being fair to Tiger or putting yourself in his position.

Actually, youre wrong.  If I said it, I would own up to it.  I would simply explain that at the time, I had interest in serving my country if my golf career hadnt panned out.  Its really not that hard and it would put the discussion to rest.  There would be no need to glare at a reporter or make a snarky comment.

[Old1964]

If Tiger responded with a tone and a few snarky words because he was irritated, upset, or frustrated, so what!  Who hasn't?

If Tiger had hours to think about the question, who knows, he might have said exactly the same thing or modified his response.

In any case, individuals who are not familar with the experience of sitting in front of a hundred people and answering questions can't possibly fathom what it is like to sit in the hot seat.

[newtogolf]

It might put that discussion to rest but then you're on the hook to answer for every other tidbit that's revealed as part of the book or you'll be considered snarky.  Why would you lend any credibility to an unauthorized published work about yourself written by someone that betrayed your trust.

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

Actually, youre wrong.  If I said it, I would own up to it.  I would simply explain that at the time, I had interest in serving my country if my golf career hadnt panned out.  Its really not that hard and it would put the discussion to rest.  There would be no need to glare at a reporter or make a snarky comment.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by Sandwedge74

Just to be clear...I am NOT commenting on the golf writer asking the questions. Lord knows those guys run the gamut between well informed thoughtful journalists and total douchebags. I am ONLY commenting on the way Tiger handled it.  Should Tiger be held to a high(er) standard with these situations...hell yes. Golf like any other sports is full of it's fair share of amazing athletes going through slumps and off years. Was the interviewer veering off into territory he had no place going?? ...maybe. Does Tiger reserve the right to select what he wants to answer? ABSOLUTELY.

Folks, It's the way he went about it I take issue with.

%$#@ him. He doesn't deserve the to be regarded as one of the best players of all time - his re-actions are despicable. Class is worth a lot in my book.

remember - opionions are like *******s... everyone has one. There's mine.

He handled the press conference with way more class than you handled your own response to what he said in the press conference.  He's personally involved yet didn't cuss but you, a third party, can't even write about it without cussing. Class may mean a lot in your book, but you don't show any.  So what does that say about YOU???

Originally Posted by mtsalmela80

A book is going to be coming out in a couple weeks about the chronicles of his life and an interviewer is not supposed to talk about it? Lets face it, Tiger woods is not a household name for his golfing anymore, its his controversy why every soccer mom knows his name. Think the average Jane Doe can recall the last hole of the 2008 US Open, or even know who won for that matter?

And the average Jane Doe Soccer Mom listens to pre-tourney press conferences?  Prurient interest of soccer moms does not justify the classless naggings of Micelli.  And it does not justify intrusion into Tiger's personal life.  Let them be satisfied with the Desperate Housewives shows and People magazine.  Who cares what soccer mom thinks about golf?

Originally Posted by Canuck

I think Tiger is one of the greatest golfers ever. However, IMO he needs some serious help when it comes to PR. Look at guys like Phil, Keegan, Donald and even Rory.... when they are up on the stand being ripped or answering a million questions they more times then not will answer and try and keep a good public imagine about them. After Keegan's recent spitting criticism came out, he stood up and owned it and promised to improve himself. Thats a pro and he is a good man for speaking openly about it. He could have pulled a tiger and refused to answer and or pulled out the googley eyes but he owned it. IMO, with they way the media is now a days (and it isn't going to get any easier) I think Tiger would be a lot better off if he would try and answer the tough questions a little better. I know he is under such a microscope but he would seriously make it easier on himself if he would cut down on that I'm better than you attitude. Again this is just my opinion and how I see Tiger coming across. I like Tiger and he is a great golfer.

Guys like "Phil, Keegan, Donald and even Rory" have never been subjected to anything like the scrutiny, questioning, and badgering Tiger has.  Not even close.

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

If he handled it fine, we would not have this controversy, would we?

Once Micelli decided to be a horse's patootie and press the issue over and over there was no other possibility than controversy.  Which is why MIcelli did it.  Tiger should never answer another question Micelli ever asks.

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

Actually, youre wrong.  If I said it, I would own up to it.  I would simply explain that at the time, I had interest in serving my country if my golf career hadnt panned out.  Its really not that hard and it would put the discussion to rest.  There would be no need to glare at a reporter or make a snarky comment.

Sure.  I'm sure that you, who no one ever heard of or cared to know about can put yourself in the position of the most scrutinized athlete in history.  Sure.  When was the last time you have to face a roomful of reporters?  Or had your personal life splashed across the newspapers.  Or were followed and photographed by papparazzi's.  But you know how he should feel and react.  Sure.

[bilinguru]

Tiger is a flawed person.  But, who isn't?  If he hadn't won so many darn golf tournaments, no one would care about him.  But, he has and he has made many millions off the boy-next-door image he and his handlers have peddled for the past decade.  I agree with whoever mentioned it that this whole thing was brought on by Tiger letting his agent do his dirty work for him.  "Armchair Psychology" "Ridiculous" "Blatant Self-Promotion" are the terms used to characterize Haney's book.  When it was announced that Haney was publishing a book, Tiger actually initially did the right thing by saying that he felt it was an unprofessional breach of trust and that he had no intention of reading it.  That was all he, or anyone in his camp, should have said about it.  But, when the first exerpts were released, Steinberg was allowed to say what he said.  And, there can be no doubt that Tiger gave the nod to these comments.  To pretend that he didn't, is  disingenuous.  That's the problem with Woods, he continually pretends to be someone he is not.

I recently played a round with a teaching pro while I was on vacation in Florida last month.  This guy had the opportunity to spend more than 3 weeks with Tiger and Annika Sorenstam in the off season back when Annika was still playing.  He said that he had never met anyone in his life that sweared as much as Woods.  "The foulest mouth on the planet" is I think how he put it.  The squeaky clean Erkel image is a complete fabrication created to garner endorsements.  And it worked like magic until the veil was lifted a couple of years ago and people realized how sleezy he really is.  And yet, here is now, with the same air of superiority and without an ounce of humility for what he has done to his family, friends and fans glaring down Micelli, who, while being an obvious muckraker, is just doing his job.  He could have asked the question better; "Did your agent consult you before he made his most recent comments on Haney's book, and if not do you agree with him?"  He also could have given up when he was stonewalled the first time.  But, again, what does Tiger expect?  He's been in the limelight for so long now that it boggles the mind that he is not better prepared for these situations.  I think his pride and vanity prevent him from admitting that he needs to prepare or change in any way.  I don't believe his sex-addiction therapy had any effect on him whatsoever.  And it makes me laugh when people say he ought to go back to his Buddhist roots.  Tiger has about as many Buddhist roots as Micelli, who like him or not, never pretends to be anything other than what he is.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by bilinguru

And it makes me laugh when people say he ought to go back to his Buddhist roots.  Tiger has about as many Buddhist roots as Micelli...

Tiger said he would go back to his Buddhist roots ...

"Tiger's Buddhist inclinations have been well known for years, though the golfer's recent sex scandal appears to have brought his philosophical leanings to be intensely scrutinized in the public eye. Tiger's mother Kultida is Thai and a devout Buddhist. Over the years, she did her utmost to pass her own Buddhist ideals to her son. She took him to temple, for example, to learn meditation practice. Every year on his birthday, Tiger and his mother would make gifts of rice, sugar and salt to monks who had foresworn a material life." ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nikolas-kozloff/brit-humes-buddhist-smack_b_412539.html )

"In fact, one of the first layers of protection that formed around Tiger at the time was the myth that Earl and Kultida were still together, when it was obvious that they were living separate lives and — what the hell? Good for them. It was Earl who was thereafter the dominant figure in his son's life . However, what was clear, always, was that it was his mother who was so much of what made her son human, so much of what brought him peace, and so much of that part of him that was so clearly lost over the past fifteen years."

Read more: http://www.esquire.com/the-side/opinion/tiger-woods-buddhist-statement-021910#ixzz1nwYFLrsT

I guess the "Earl" part of Tiger got out of hand, and Tiger, while paying lip service to his mother, is his daddy's boy ...

[bilinguru]

Quote:

I guess the "Earl" part of Tiger got out of hand, and Tiger, while paying lip service to his mother, is his daddy's boy ...

Exactly.  I live in Japan, which is officially a Buddhist country, but a more atheist culture you would be hard pressed to find.  People rely on Buddhism for funeral ceremonies, but in every other aspect most, and I'm talking 80% of Japanese people, do not practice the tenets of Buddhism.  They visit temples pretty much as tourists do.  The core of Buddhism is to unchain oneself from physical attachments, like lust, greed for material possessions, etc.  The thriving Japanese porno industry and the consumer driven culture couldn't be less Buddhist.  Obviously, Tiger did not buy into that at all either, no matter how many times his mother dragged him to the monks to make offerings of rice and salt.  The author of the esquire article seemed to be part of the "Resurrect Tiger's Image" campaign that kicked into high gear after his outing as a serial philanderer.  Sorry if I sound cynical, but what else is one to think after a 10 year lie has been exposed for what it really was.  I should also say that it took a lot of guts for Tiger to hold that mea culpa press conference after everything came out in the media.  Yes, it was contrived and obviously scripted to hit all the right notes, but it must have gone against every cell in his body to stand in front of everyone and say the things he did. The thing that bugs me though is that no sooner was that behind him, he reverted right back to looking down his nose at people.  I doubt many people really know Tiger Woods, least of all himself.

[brocks]

Exactly.  I live in Japan, which is officially a Buddhist country, but a more atheist culture you would be hard pressed to find.  People rely on Buddhism for funeral ceremonies, but in every other aspect most, and I'm talking 80% of Japanese people, do not practice the tenets of Buddhism.  They visit temples pretty much as tourists do.  The core of Buddhism is to unchain oneself from physical attachments, like lust, greed for material possessions, etc.  The thriving Japanese porno industry and the consumer driven culture couldn't be less Buddhist.  ... The thing that bugs me though is that no sooner was that behind him, he reverted right back to looking down his nose at people.  I doubt many people really know Tiger Woods, least of all himself.

Wow, what a strange post. First you take off on the Japanese as if they are especially hypocritical, or as if there is no porn or crime in the US, where the politicians are all competing for "Most Sanctimonious," even serial adulterer Newt. Japan has about 130 million people, packed together a lot more tightly than in the US, and yet the whole country has about 1100 murders a year. Compare that to just one US city --- NYC alone has over 500 murders per year. Japanese porn doesn't even show genitals without censoring, um, at least that's what I hear. As for Buddhists, nobody said they're not allowed to watch porn. How do you think they got so good at clapping with one hand? And just by the way, Japan is not officially anything, let alone Buddhist, but in the past, Shinto was closer to being the official religion than Buddhism. And Shinto has no rigid puritanical doctrine, so you are even further off base. But that's not enough for you, you're also a mind reader. You know exactly when Tiger started screwing around, and you know that he looks down on people based on what, 15 minutes a month talking with hostile reporters trying to make a name for themselves? Total fail.

[MbolicGolf]

Hey guys, Tiger's Jock called, he says you're heavy.

[Jagged edge]

Tiger Woods has every right not to answer questions that are not relevant to golf. The press try their hardest to annoy Tiger to elicit some kind of negative response. They have been doing that for a while. And now that they have their darling Rory, they have taken their idiotic questions to another level.

Tiger should quit golf, then the tour would be in lots of trouble. Oh, miceli (*******) would be out of a job.

Go Tiger. Too many sensitive golf fans.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by bilinguru

Exactly.  I live in Japan, which is officially a Buddhist country, but a more atheist culture you would be hard pressed to find.  People rely on Buddhism for funeral ceremonies, but in every other aspect most, and I'm talking 80% of Japanese people, do not practice the tenets of Buddhism.  They visit temples pretty much as tourists do.  The core of Buddhism is to unchain oneself from physical attachments, like lust, greed for material possessions, etc.  The thriving Japanese porno industry and the consumer driven culture couldn't be less Buddhist.  Obviously, Tiger did not buy into that at all either, no matter how many times his mother dragged him to the monks to make offerings of rice and salt.  The author of the esquire article seemed to be part of the "Resurrect Tiger's Image" campaign that kicked into high gear after his outing as a serial philanderer.  Sorry if I sound cynical, but what else is one to think after a 10 year lie has been exposed for what it really was.  I should also say that it took a lot of guts for Tiger to hold that mea culpa press conference after everything came out in the media.  Yes, it was contrived and obviously scripted to hit all the right notes, but it must have gone against every cell in his body to stand in front of everyone and say the things he did. The thing that bugs me though is that no sooner was that behind him, he reverted right back to looking down his nose at people.  I doubt many people really know Tiger Woods, least of all himself.

As somene who is Buddhist let me correct some of your misconceptions. There are numerous schools of Buddhism from Therevada to Mahayana. And within these schools are dozens of interpretations of the Buddha's teachings. Within Japan there are numerous schools of Buddhism and these may differ from those in Tibet, Nepal, India, etc. The point is that we have no knowledge of Tiger's Buddhist leanings and shouldn't judge him based on his Buddhist background which none of us know anything about and which is private to him.

[zeg]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

"Alex, no one has read the book. I know Steinberg made a statement earlier, and I wish he hadn't said anything. What Hank says in his book are his opinions and observations - ask him, not me (and then laugh). Hank is trying to promote his book by releasing excerpts and using all of you to drum up sales and ask me questions. I won't be used. As I've said, I did not expect him to write a book and I wish he had asked me. But he did not. I want no part of it. I mean, it's his book and opinions. So go to him. I won't comment or read the book. If I read it, then I'd have to answer your questions (laughs again).  No Thanks." (smiles).

So your suggestion to make his response more "genuine" is to say a load of crap that he doesn't actually mean?