Lesson On Golf -Message To Tiger Haters
By: Jeff Lesson
Just relax. Forget how you feel about whether or not Tiger Woods should have been disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.
What we witnessed at Augusta on Saturday was perhaps the gutsiest round in Masters history. Never before had so much scrutiny been placed on one player since the same player returned from "adultery" at The Masters in 2010.
Tiger's round of a two under par 70 on Saturday-just after he learned of "bad drop gate"- was nothing short of spectacular. It is doubtful that anyone else could have performed so well under such difficult circumstances. Most others would have folded under the pressure.
Forget the fact that Mr. Woods still needs to learn the rules-since it was the SECOND time this year he incurred a two shot penalty for an illegal drop (see Dubai). Maybe next time in a Major Championship he might consider asking a rules official BEFORE he takes the drop?
Even though Tiger-for the eighth consecutive Masters-folded up like a tent when he had a chance to win on Sunday-he still must be congratulated for not allowing that rules violation to be a distraction.
What WAS a distraction is the way he came out on Sunday just four shots back-with a chance to win perhaps with a fast start.
Instead, he played the first eight holes in two over. He hit trees, pine straw and seemingly everything except fairways and greens for the first eight holes. By the time he finally recovered with four birdies in his last 10 holes, it was far too late.
In other words, when Tiger had a chance to win he pressed and could not deliver. Once he realized he was pretty much out of it, he was able to relax and play some great golf.
This is exactly the reason why he has been stuck on 14 majors since 2008. Unless and until that changes, he will be stuck on that number.
Tiger is the one who always has defined himself by how he does in the Majors. As such, we should forever do the same.
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