Nowsounder

Tiger Woods revealed recently he has been playing for at least 10 months with a torn ligament in his left knee, and that he suffered a double stress fracture in his left leg two weeks before the U.S. Open. PGA Professional Paul Casey provided the most graphic description of the injury, based on a conversation he had had with the caddie of Robert Karlsson, the Swede who played alongside Woods in the third round. “He [Gareth Lord] said there were actually noises coming from Tiger's knee,” Casey said. “Clearly he was suffering. There was a moment where Tiger, I think at the 18th, stepped up to hit his tee-shot and backed off because of weird noises. They all chuckled and he said, 'I shouldn't hit this one too hard.' He got it in play and made eagle. It is interesting to consider Tiger's performance in the context of the Now. In my book, "Peace and Par - Enjoying Golf in the Now," I maintain there is no one who stays in the present, in the zone, better than Tiger. Many of us have played athletics with pain. I remember basketball games with a sprained ankle, and baseball games with a sore arm. I never had the illusion that these injuries did not effect my performance. I remember consciously favoring the injury as I naturally anticipated the pain. Tiger on the other hand goes to his own Being, the energy within him and stays in the moment. Tiger addressed the ball, took his normal, full backswing, transferred his weight, tourqued his knee and created club speed that would tear your socks off if you stood too close, and finished with his classic follow through all in the Now. Even though somewhere in his long and short term memory bank there existed the knowledge: "the pain is coming", Tiger did not hold the thought of this future pain. Tiger stayed in the Now shot after shot for five days. When the pain came at the end of the shot, Tiger endured it knowing all pain is going out. He then stood straight, handed his club to Steve and walked down the fairway completely focused on the task at hand, winning the US Open. The ego and its partner, the pain body loves to anticipate the future and the potential for pain: the upcoming dentist appointment, visiting a critically ill friend or relative, or the golf match or lunch with the person who never shuts up. We miss so many breaths, so much of life in this moment because we embrace that future pain. Take a lesson in life from Tiger. The pain, like the future is an illusion. We only live in a series of "right nows".

Is "hate" the emotion you are (or was) experiencing with Tiger? How can you hate Tiger? I reserve that emotion for coming home and finding your best friend in bed with your wife, or political leaders who through deception put their countries into needless wars. Through the years I witnessed racist who hate Tiger because he ended the myth that only white guys can play golf. (all due respect to Charlie Sifford, Pete Brown, and even Lee Trevino). Racism aside, isn't Tiger the quintessential human being to not only represent professional golf but to be argubly the best that ever teed it up? Tiger has taken the sport to another level not unlike what Arnie did in the '60s. While there were many "Jack-fans" who hoped Jack would kick Arnie's butt and vice-versa, few hated either. I believe every emotion is tied to a thought. If you truly hate Tiger, you may want to inquire why by finding the thought. Every sport has examples of steroid-this, drug/drinking problems that. Tiger hasn't gotten a traffic ticket. What is there to hate? I predicted Tiger would win the PGA on this blog last week. I continue to believe he stays in the Now more than anyone on the tour. In the last few holes yesterday when Tiger knew when he cranked a drive the pain would hit his knee, he stayed in the present through the set-up, back swing and follow through. Obviously, there are great golfers in the hunt today and anyone within 6 shots or so can win. I will stay with my prediction. Tiger wins another major.

I am picking Tiger to win. First, if his knee wasn't ready, he wouldn't be playing. More importantly, the club that failed him in the Masters was the flat stick. I will bet you a dollar against a doughnut, he has worked hard on his short game and putting during his recent rehab. Second, Tiger may drop a club or two off the tee box, not only because he doesn't want to test the knee but to fulfill the goal of hitting fairways. 250 yard 2 iron stingers down the middle will drive the field (and Phil) crazy. Finally, Tiger loves it when he is discounted. His focus and ability to stay in the Now will be enhanced. Phil? Hmmmm. With Phil and Tiger paired together for the first two rounds, it maybe over for Phil on the back nine on Friday. It is all about keeping the mind out of the past and the future. Tiger gives Phil too many unintentional thoughts to deal with.

Hmmmm. Slammin' Sammy was way past his prime when Arnie and Jack hit the scene. I actually believe Sam in his prime would have ate Jack's lunch. I saw him in 1996 play the par 3 tournament at the Masters with Tiger Woods. Sweeeeeet swing.

Dear BB: Watson was terrific. His 39 tour wins says volumes. However, to put him in the same breath as Tiger or Jack is a stretch. I see you are a David Duval watcher. Do you know how to get in touch with him? I believe my book "Peace and Par - Enjoying Golf in the Now" could help David get back on track. Thanks for being you. Michael

I am 59, so I watched Jack, Arnie, Chi-Chi, Gary Player, Julius Boros, Gay Brewer, George Archer, Billy Casper, Tommy Aaron, Ray Floyd, Tom Watson, Craig Statler, Ben Crenshaw, Bernard Langer, Larry Mize, Ken Venturi, Tony Jacklin, Hale Irwin, Andy North and yes, good 'ole Johnny Miller. Although Jack at times dominated these great players, the field does not compare to the competition that exists today. There are just so many more venues: colleges, multiple tours, and more quality instruction available worldwide to produce thousands of great golfers. The players who rise to the top from the size of the universe are by simple math argubly better than those with whom Jack competed. Tiger is also much more dominating than Jack ever was and Tiger hasn't reached his prime.

My home course has 6 inches of snow on it and a 25 degree wind chill. No problem though getting on the course... www.portsmouthcc.net

I am a stress management consultant. I offer an ancient technique to corporations, small groups and individuals that brings you into the present or what I call the "Now".