Tiger Woods missed his first PGA Tour cut in what, five years? He missed the cut at the Open Championship in England last July, and I already commented that I think it was his "female problems" that were responsible. I told my brother at the time that something was bothering Tiger. It was just four months before the rest of the world learned about Tiger's dozen or so extra women!This week at Quail Hollow I think Tiger was thinking too much about how to win back the crowd by not throwing clubs or cussing too much, and not thinking enough about picturing each shot in his mind before swinging.
After he had missed the cut, the commentators were mentioning the fact that Tiger had "behaved himself" this week despite missing the cut, cussing very little and not throwing a single club. I have a feeling that his concern about his behavior and what the crowd thought/thinks of him is what was foremost on his mind, instead of concentrating on his swing.
I saw Tiger hit several poor shots on Thursday and Friday this week, and his facial expression looked like he was steaming on he inside as he smiled outwardly.
Tiger has two things he must overcome before he will appear in the winner's circle again. First and foremost is controlling his temper. I don't care how many women are on his mind, there is no room on the golf course for a temper tantrum. It is childish, and it will not allow any golfer to relax and hit a smooth shot. I would like to see the Tour impose penalty strokes to any tour player who cusses or throws or slams down a club during play.
I remember watching last Summer's Big Break on the Golf channel. I wish Pat Perez's brother had not won, because his childish behavior of slamming and throwing clubs is not something we need to see on television. It is a poor example for our children.
The second thing Tiger has to accomplish is concentration. You can't play good golf when you are worried about outside influences, such as the crowd. When he conquers the first, temper, he won't have to worry about the second, what the crowd thinks of him.
Tiger won't win again until he learns to laugh off a bad shot, and concentrate on the next shot, and not about what the guy outside the ropes is thinking.
Do you agree?
Good article Peter. Of course we will not know for sure about Quail Hollow missed cut. But your thoughts about his mental adjustment are very good - and apply to all golfers.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely. A clear, uncluttered mind is a prerequisite. And one needs patience.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteI have always felt that one cannot play golf to his potential unless his life is in order and under control.
At this time, there is just too much going on in Tiger's life off and "on" the course for Tiger to play to his potential.
I agree with you all. Peter and Mark are right. Tiger needs to straighten out his personal life, maybe see a serious shrink. I personally hope he gets his game back. It's sad to see him perform so mediocrely lately.
ReplyDeleteInteresting news from Doctor HGH steroid man from Canada that treated many athletes including Tiger Woods with enriched calf's blood and supposedly other remedies to make him heal faster from his knee and broken peg. I wonder since the tour does not require players to test for these enablers, will this Doctor when he gets down to his last hundred dollars sell and exclusive story to the press about his treatments of Woods and how long these treatments have been ongoing?
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying now how at one time Tiger could control his entire world, but now all that is catching up with him.