Brandel Gives Tiger an F/ Tiger's Agent Hints at Legal Action Against Chamblee

[Valleygolfer]

In his continued effort at reverse fan boy to maintain a readership he posts his grades for the tour...

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/tiger-woods-gets-f-brandel-chamblees-year-end-grades

[Mr. Desmond]

I see his point.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!"

He says Tiger Cheated. F.

It's his opinion, and controversy gets people to TGC and to golf.com

Read more: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/tiger-woods-gets-f-brandel-chamblees-year-end-grades#ixzz2i1D0wtkq

[Valleygolfer]

I see his point.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!"

He says Tiger Cheated. F.

It's his opinion, and controversy gets people to TGC and to golf.com

Read more: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/tiger-woods-gets-f-brandel-chamblees-year-end-grades#ixzz2i1D0wtkq

I know that is the case however it gets a little weathered after awhile. Its bad enough when the cheap hacks do it but he is a seasoned columnist that plays the devil's advocate way to often IMHO.

[Mr. Desmond]

I know that is the case however it gets a little weathered after awhile. Its bad enough when the cheap hacks do it but he is a seasoned columnist that plays the devil's advocate way to often IMHO.

He does play it quite often... but he probably gets more work and more $$$ for doing so.

I wish he would view himself from the dear reader's perspective and diversify his tune.

F

*Tiger’s rule controversies in 2013 included taking an illegal free drop at the Abu Dhabi Championship , avoiding disqualification at the Masters despite signing an incorrect scorecard following an illegal drop , giving himself a favorable drop after hitting into a water hazard at the Players Championship , and a two-stroke penalty for causing his ball to move while removing a twig resting against it at the BMW Championship .

Read more: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/tiger-woods-gets-f-brandel-chamblees-year-end-grades#ixzz2i1FeK2gW

[Golfingdad]

Brandel is really, really good at his current job.  Maybe he leans a little too far towards the Limbaugh/O'Reilly style for a lot of people's liking - he wasn't very subtle in saying he thinks Tiger cheated** - but he creates buzz, and that's good for his employers.

** I don't care that he gave Tiger an F because of his controversies, but he flat-out called him a cheater, and I don't think that is really fair at all.

[Mr. Desmond]

Don't think Tiger will be talking with his good buddy, Brandel, for the next 50 years.

A permanent ban went into effect ... feeling the Tiger Chill from here...

[iacas]

Brandel risks ticking Tiger off so much that Tiger not only stops talking to Brandel (long since been there), but also stops talking to ANYONE at Golf Channel until or unless they fire Brandel.

I don't think Tiger has quite that much clout, but it's close, and there could be a whole bunch of ticked off golf writers and TV types who don't like that Brandel ticked off the game's #1 (and virtually only) needle mover.

[jamo]

And people wonder why Tiger is cold with the media. I'm actually kind of surprised Brandel would go this far. As a former player he should know the difference between cheating and violating the rules more than anyone, and appreciate just how big a deal it is accuse someone of outright cheating.

[MS256]

I've never had a problem with the things I've heard Brandel say (even when I totally disagreed with him) but to label Tiger as a cheater would mean he knew Tiger's mind in those situations (which he can't do).

He crossed the line on that one.

[boogielicious]

He continues to be and always will be a pompous ass.

[Fourputt]

And people wonder why Tiger is cold with the media.

I'm actually kind of surprised Brandel would go this far. As a former player he should know the difference between cheating and violating the rules more than anyone, and appreciate just how big a deal it is accuse someone of outright cheating.

He is getting very close to the area where a suit for libel could be contemplated.  You can only go so far in stating an "opinion" before it crosses that line, particular when others may mistake your "expert" opinions for fact.

[Mr. Desmond]

Opinions are generally protected by the law

[Fourputt]

Opinions are generally protected by the law

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of libel and slander statutes?  When threatened with legal action, the accused just says he was stating an opinion and case closed.  Seems rather easy to get away with saying or writing just about anything you like.

[inthehole]

Don't think Tiger will be talking with his good buddy, Brandel, for the next 50 years.

A permanent ban went into effect ... feeling the Tiger Chill from here...

or more likely, the Tiger DEATH STARE

[phan52]

Brandel risks ticking Tiger off so much that Tiger not only stops talking to Brandel (long since been there), but also stops talking to ANYONE at Golf Channel until or unless they fire Brandel.

I don't think Tiger has quite that much clout, but it's close, and there could be a whole bunch of ticked off golf writers and TV types who don't like that Brandel ticked off the game's #1 (and virtually only) needle mover.

Tiger probably had that clout pre-2008, but not anymore. Plus, Tiger actually needs the media as much as they need him these days. He is not bigger than NBC and the Golf Channel.

Brandel is a pompous, opinionated person but I think it is pretty much what the Golf Channel expects out of him. He's a studio guy and I don't se him out on the golf course or in press conferences asking questions. He's not going anywhere.

[iacas]

Tiger probably had that clout pre-2008, but not anymore. Plus, Tiger actually needs the media as much as they need him these days. He is not bigger than NBC and the Golf Channel.

I disagree. :-)

[Mr. Desmond]

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of libel and slander statutes?  When threatened with legal action, the accused just says he was stating an opinion and case closed.  Seems rather easy to get away with saying or writing just about anything you like.

Look at the way Brandell stated his case. He did not write that Tiger was a cheater. He said that Tiger Woods was cavalier with the rules. He used the example of himself cheating on a test in grade school to make a point in an amusing way, and then tied it to Tiger. He is on the line here, just as Tiger was on the line, but their lawyers probably feel he does not cross the line. You can bet a lawyer reviewed this before it was published. To me, Tiger looked like a frustrated, desperate man most of the year, especially in majors. I think Brandell has a point.

[ghalfaire]

Look at the way Brandell stated his case. He did not write that Tiger was a cheater. He said that Tiger Woods was cavalier with the rules.

He used the example of himself cheating on a test in grade school to make a point in an amusing way, and then tied it to Tiger.

He is on the line here, just as Tiger was on the line, but their lawyers probably feel he does not cross the line. You can bet a lawyer reviewed this before it was published.

To me, Tiger looked like a frustrated, desperate man most of the year, especially in majors. I think Brandell has a point.

You're likely correct that this went through some legal review because not only Brandell is at risk of libel but so would SI be.  I would also agree that there were more "rules events" in Tiger's season than one would have thought could occur with an experienced and knowledgeable player like Tiger.  But I am not saying he did cheat because I don't know and I personally would not accuse someone of this without proof.  But there were enough events (circumstantial evidence) that I can understand why the controversy.