You know...I thought the Golf Channel Post-game show asked an interesting question. A question that's not new by any stretch, in fact it was thrown around when Tiger first showed his other-worldly game. The question was (roughly): Is Tiger's mauling of the field really good for golf or more precisely, golf TV ratings? Now I know this runs counter to Dave's position of: no Tiger - no Golf, but I for one tuned-out as it was apparent there would be no theater on this Sunday. It's sports competition that draws viewers, theater, the underdog's chance to win, the head to head, blow for blow battle of two great competitors, etc... And geesh, all these metaphors: Tiger is devouring his prey, the Tiger is king of the Jungle, Tiger is on the prowl....Ahhhhh! So, I think to some degree, no competition, leads to no interest ‘cause there ain’t no theater = fewer viewers. I know this doesn't fit for diehard Tiger fans, but sometimes watching the final round where Tiger, or anyone else for that matter, is playing in some other dimension there's little suspense or questioning the outcome. It's kind of like watching the Yankees play the local Little League team; who do ya think will win?

Although I agree with your analogy about it being like watching a pro team versus a little league team, the fact is that Tiger is beating professional golfers and not amateurs.

I love a dominant performance. It should inspire the rest of the field to become better golfers. Who is going to rise to the challenge and give Woods some consistent competition?

TIger WOods brings more people to golf than the regular golf enthusiast will ever truly understand. People who never felt like the golf world had anything to DO with them. who didnt look like anyone out there playing golf & knew they probably wouldnt be admitted in Augusta a decade ago.

Please, Tiger woods has been VERY good for golf. I think the people upset that he's winning so much without stiffer comptetition should understand they are witnessing history. It's not often you KNOW when you're in the midst of history. we are now.

I just

I just love to see a great golf shot!
Therefore, the better the golfer (inspiring others to be better) the more often we get to see great shots. It's the same with every sport for me.

Are you crazy? Just look at the numbers on Television...up 11 points over last year. Watching Tiger is like watching an artist. Sure, it would be nice to see some drama from the rest of the boyz...but until they "believe" as Luke Donald said, how they gonna beat him? Right now, the only two players who even "try" are Furyk and Chris Dimarco. The rest all just don't have the stomach for it.

JRC clearly didn't bother to look at the CBS ratings this Sunday. The whole freaking world was watching. In fact, even more of the world was watching when Tiger was lifting the cup. I'm not even a golf player and it is because of Tiger that I watch cause I know I'm watching live history that will never be repeated in a million years. The guy is Michelangelo.

OK, OK. OK...its history in the making NOW! Tiger is the man to beat and a joy to watch. I get it and no, I didn't check out the TV ratings for Sunday, wasn't even worried about that. I am surprised that a non-golfer would watch the championship though…Aaaaa, what do I know. I can see that my comments came off as nearly blaming the guy for being the maestro of the game that he is. How dare he beat up on the field, but look, I’m a PENN STATE grad and JoPa always throttled back when we were shellacking a less capable opponent, so I guess I just naturally figure you should show some mercy. I just wanted to offer an opinion, a thought that came to me from a comment on The Golf Channel.

Clearly, I'm in the minority of viewers who tuned-out, and the greater majority stayed glued to the tube to the final moment of the telecast. I like Tiger just fine, as do I Furyk, Mickelson, Dimarco, Couples, Lumpy...there all great, but obviously TW is the pack leader, and deservedly so.

I guess I was hoping for greater rivalry to develop over the season, like DiMarco vs. Tiger, or as much of the golfing media was hinting at, Mickelson vs. Tiger. I figure if the guys in the broadcast business were all excited at the prospect of a Nicklaus/Palmer type fit-a-cuffs, well that must equal greater ratings = bigger $$$$, yada yada.

For me, a major should be closely contended, give and take, the balance shifting back and forth between two or more guys going for the greatest round of their careers under crushing pressure to control the nerves, keep the focus, and avoid throwing up all over themselves…you know…DRAMA, or for me it’s channel surfing time.

What I’m looking forward to now is the Ryder Cup. This year has to be ours. With Tiger leading the way, it should be a lock.

JRC,
You seem like a rational and sound man but you are definitely not only in the minority on this one but I get the feeling that you jus dont get it on this one... I was in Medinah on Sunday and was trying to follow Tiger..... I was lucky enough to be right behind him when he hit the bunker shot on 13th on Sunday..... No exaggeration, it was like watching genius unfold right in front of my eyes... Most of us watch Tiger and cant take our eyes off precisely for that... to watch genius living and breathing in front of our eyes.... I dont want to generelazie but Non-fans of golf ONLY watch golf when Tiger is doing well.... Its about a sense of history in the making and the excitement that goes along with that they are looking for....
Vic

Geez, guys, y'all missed the whole point: Mel Gibson's career is on the way down. It had nothing to do with TV ratings or Nike commercials. It had nothing to do with the fact that Finchem and Bivens are doing all within their power to screw up pro golf.

Vic_G. Thanks. I think the best thing for me to do is actually see Tiger in person. When and where I'll do that I'm not sure, but seeing is believing, so I better go see.

I'm beginning to think, believe it or not, I'm not fully appreciating the craftsmanship that Tiger possess as both a golfer and competitor. Yeah, I stand corrected. Thanks again.

Dave - I really missed teh Mel Gibson, Finchem , Bivens thingee...sorry.

Analogies to team sports and to boxing are useless: A golfer competes with the course, not so much other golfing competitors...if the golfer gets a W, then he was better at beating a course than the other golfers...

As to ratings, let me enlighten you, all of his competitors love it when Tiger plays and say so loud and proud...the viewers he brings in allows the most mundane of them to become millionaires...he helped to put a lot of their kids through college...as to turning off the tv set, you cannot be a true golf enthusiast and do that...or else you simply do not like him for whatever (nefarious?) reason...it's telling that no one turned off the tv or asked the "good for golf" query when Jack was dominating...

Nefarious?.....geesh.

By the way, the innuendo was not lost on me spitfire...nefarious, honestly - you presume I harbor wicked intent against Tiger Woods (eeegahds! A MINORITY PERSON), just because I decided not to watch the rest of the PGA? OK, I better stop...man why do any of us get into casting accusations anyway? Well thanks for exposing my nefarious scheme. I guess I'll cancel my USGA membership now.

Hey Spitty...

Arnold and IMG made the game what it is today dollar wise, Tiger personally said that...

And there is something called Match Play where you indeed do play against your fellow competitor... Players on tour play the course, correct, but anyone worth their salt do watch the leader board, which affects the way they play the remainder of the tournay, unless you are chip Beck at the Masters playing for second place money...

Affectionately...

Well, JRC, you sure took some punishment on this one...but what is up with Spitfire and his racist crap?
Anyway, to the point, you make regarding seeing Tiger in person...I highly recommend it. I had the privilege of covering the Pebble US Open in 2000 as a radio correspondent, and got inside the ropes and believe me when I say, you can "feel" Tiger's presence as he comes on the grounds. When he walks the fairways you can touch the energy...it is palpable to everyone. His focus is beyond intense...he absolutely does not allow eye contact with anyone other than his caddie. His security detail is no less than six armed men...2 of his own...2 from the tournament, and 2 local sheriffs added to the detail. And that is for any tournament he plays. As has been noted by others, we are watching a master at work. His talent, his imagination, his focus, his desire exceed any on Tour. Bobby ,Jones quit before 30. Jack, while great doesn't share the winning percentage of Tiger. And it is unlikely when it is all said and done, that anyone will surpass him. Much like Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak. Won't be done. Tiger's dominance is demonstrated not just in wins, but his margins of victory defy the tradition of hard fought one shot victories of the past. 15 at Pebble, 12 at the Masters, 8 at the Open. That is the equivalent of the rest of the guys have to play 3 more par 5's, 4 par 4's, or almost 3 par three's respectively. Absolutely unprecedented!

Yeah CB...I'm licking my wounds man. I don't mind good argument though, (less spitfire), the comments did give me pause to reconsider my criticism, and that's the great thing about reasonable discussion and rational argument.

I'm now looking forward to experience what you’ve described. You know, when that player arrives on the scene, capable of equaling all the attributes of Tiger's game, then lookout...we are all in for great sports drama. I would even say Tiger would like nothing better than an honored enemy on the course...his competitive nature would welcome it wholeheartedly and his we can only imagine what new heights his game will reach.