Tiger Woods usually shows a deep appreciation for golf history. He’s much closer to being the modern gentleman ambassador to the game than a lot of people give him credit for (the swearing fuss is way overblown).
But this week of all weeks, when the unquestioned great gentleman of golf Byron Nelson died at 94, Tiger forgot his manners.
When asked about his winning streak - which Tiger claims is still alive at five because he lost European events and it’s a PGA Tour streak (this is a gripe for another day) - Nelson’s name of course came up. Nelson holds one of the most unbreakable records in sports of course, his Joe DiMaggio-like 11 straight tournament wins in 1945.
“The competition is so much deeper now,” Tiger said. “Back in (Nelson’s) day — I actually talked to him about this — he said he had to beat four or five guys every week. And when you’re hot, that’s not hard to do. That’s not the case anymore. It’s 40 or 50 now, so it’s a lot different.”
It doesn’t matter if this is true. And it’s at least partially true. It’s not something that needed to be said. Especially this week. It comes across as downgrading what Nelson accomplished as his life is being honored. Frankly, it almost sounds like the kind of whine Jack Nicklaus often breaks into about Tiger when he gets frustrated about his majors record being on the chopping block.
It’s the type of statement you would have never heard Byron Nelson make.
This is the guy who wouldn’t break the course record at a track he played if it was held by the local head pro. “We’re just passing through,” Nelson often offered in explanation. “(The pro) lives here.”
Tiger Woods could still learn something from that grace. Unfortunately, his words this week showed how much.
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Brandon Tucker:
Jason Scott Deegan:
The Accidental Golfer:
Ron Mon:
As for good old Lord Byron streak, total bullshit, his competitors where Q-school rejects. Even Phil the way he is playing would have won 11.
Tiger has also said Byron is the "greatest ambassador to golf the game's ever known".
I'll let this (which is nothing in the first place) slide.
To only select one (very accurate) comment that you found to be somewhat ungracious, without any balance for the many positive things he said, appears to be rather poor form on your part and perhaps is a reflection more about you than anything negative you offered about Mr. Woods or Mr. Nicklaus for that matter.
that is defining america today. Can't someone just be able to speak the truth even if it will piss someone else.
Thanks TW. Say what you mean. I respect that about a man!
This is the cruel way of our world-We look for winners so we can turn them into losers,The Dum-Dum who wanted to take a swipe at "Liberals" in his rant should save it for the KKK meetings he goes to.
"THIS is why you love Sergio so much,
the two of you love to whine about Tiger."
Dont bother for that day. It's not even that complicated.
Tiger Woods on his streak:
"It ended two weeks ago," Woods said.
"I'm going for six in a row on our tour, But not six in a row tournament-wise, because I've played two since then and lost both."
How did Nelson score during his run? Can
any Tiger Woods apologist recall offhand?
How about 19 straight rounds under 70 on
courses that were about as rough as today's
typical muni. A stroke average of nearly 68
without today's forgiving equipment?
Does that move you bozos in any way?
In stroke play, you play the course, idiots.
You are playing against everyone else. You can beat the course and still lose in stroke play.
Nelson's achievement was brilliant, no denying that. But, remember; a 30 handicapper could win a golf tournament with no one else playing it, so obviously it's not just "playing the course".