Tiger Woods had just made a hell of a recovery during his final round to get within shouting distance of eventual winner Phil Mickelson at the Masters, but after his round CBS’s Peter Kostis’ interview questions were nothing about that. Here’s the four questions Kostis asked Tiger after his final round:
1) The best I can sum it up you battled all week long, you clearly didn’t have your game under control like you usually do, but after a long difficult week can you put this into perspective for us?
2) So you are not going to use a different measuring stick to measure your performance this week, you are going to use your normal measuring stick of I didn’t win therefore I’m not happy?
3) There is a fine line, anyone of us that have played golf know, between controlling your emotions and eliminating them on the golf course. To me through the first five or six holes today you looked un-Tiger like and then once you made the two at seven your passion and your fire came back. Is it going to take a while for you to control your emotions and not eliminate them on the golf course and the change you committed to?
4) Any idea after this performance when we might see you again?
Tiger thanks the crowd for a supportive week at Augusta National.
Why didn’t he ask something like this: Hey Tiger, how did that eagle on seven feel? How about that eagle on fifteen? What were you thinking when you started so poorly and how were you able to overcome that and still shoot 69? How about that reaction on 18, when a birdie putt from a medium range finally fell in?
Kostis’ four questions made up one of the worst interviews I’ve ever seen. Kostis’ first question indirectly said: Tiger instead of asking you how you played today, I’m going to tell you myself that I know you didn’t have your game under control.
I don’t mind Kostis asking how he puts the week into perspective and when Tiger might play golf again, but I think those questions could have been asked after a start-up question about his round.
Kostis’ second question was the dumbest of all. Indirectly it meant: Tiger, we know you are a fierce competitor, but your entire life has been flippedupside down. Now, don’t you have to be happy just finishing fourth? You never expected to win, right?
If anyone in The Masters under the age of 45 came into the tournament without expecting to win, I recommend they never be allowed to play in the championship again. This is Tiger Woods, not some random player. Woods is No. 1 in the world, clearly chose The Masters strategically for his return, and isn’t your every day competitor. This is a guy that probably couldn’t stand it if his kids beat him up the stairs into his house. To be clear, that is not a criticism or critique, it’s just an example to show just how competitive Woods is.
And the third question, about his emotions, is extremely old. This one paraphrases as: Tiger you threw your club and said some bad things after a poor shot early in your round. When are you going to begin controlling your emotions?
Personally, I thought Woods’ response was hilarious. He pretty much asked why he would be happy after a poor shot. Nobody would. Maybe CBS should move their cameras back to avoid any cursing from reaching people watching on television. Wait, if they were worried about it they would already have done that or used a delay to make sure the words didn’t air. Why aren’t we mad at CBS for allowing stuff like that to be aired when it’s obvious they use a delay? Why be on Tiger for saying them and not on CBS for choosing to air them–where more people hear it that way than people on the golf course with Woods?
Maybe Tiger should become a robot on the course with no emotions. No fist pumps, smiles, thrown clubs, or anything. Maybe America would be happy then.
The other interesting thing about CBS’ broadcast was Jim Nantz mentioned Woods cursing on Saturday about five times. Every chance he got he brought it up. Every time Woods hit a poor shot, Nantz made sure to say something like (and I’m paraphrasing) “this was what we heard the state of his game was coming in.”
Reporters are suppose to give news, not judge the emotions of the entire American population like Nantz seemed to do all week. It was evident by most of the cheers this week at Augusta that many were able to separate personal life Tiger (a guy we don’t know) from golf Tiger (the champion).
I thought ESPN did a good job this week of staying away from being critical of Woods on anything but golf. Nantz went too far at times on CBS’ weekend coverage and so did Kostis in his interview. Ask questions about the round Kostis, not about random things that could have been asked any time this week.
It’s time for the media to stop hating on Tiger. What he did was terrible, but that was never the Tiger we knew anyways. Woods never asked to be famous for his personal life, only for his golf. He’s lost more than most of us can ever dream of having. He may even lose more before this is all said and done.
A lot of people would run from his life and hide out forever. Again, how many people have the money Woods does? He could retire, hide out, and never be heard from again. Instead, he has decided to jump back into the public eye. I know he took months to appear after everything came out, but he has appeared now. He’s faced the media and apologized publicly to his fans.
What else do people want? Let the guy live. Let him play golf. Stop asking him about measuring sticks and emotions. Ask him about birdies and bogeys.
All week The Masters centered around the return of Tiger Woods, but Phil Mickelson was the real story.
With his wife and mother battling breast cancer, Mickelson seized control of the tournament Sunday afternoon and ran away for a three shot victory. His third green jacket may not have been possible without a magical three hole stretch Saturday that took him from five shots back to into the lead.
Woods made his own run, but it came after three birdies de-railed his chances early. Fred Couples was in contention until his tee shot on the par 3, 12th went swimming. Anthony Kim shot 65 and vaulted into contention, but began the day too far back to win his first green jacket.
For Mickelson, it was his third green jacket. After everything he has battled off the course, it was a much needed major triumph. For the first time since last season’s PGA Championship, his wife Amy traveled with him to the golf course.
A frustrated Woods showed everyone that his expectations hadn’t changed after the round. He also said he’s not sure when the next time we will see him will be.
The third round of the Masters was one of the best Saturday’s in the recent history at Augusta, as eagles and birdies electrified crowds and laid out the framework for what could be a magical Sunday. Here’s what each contender needs to do to win The Masters:
Lee Westwood (-12): Westwood needs to make sure not to bring the field back into the event by playing steady golf and not making any huge errors. Bogeys are okay because he does not need to go out and shoot 67 to win. A 70 might win this thing, depending on what kind of charge the players behind him make. If Westwood can make 12 to 14 pars, make birdies on the majority of the par 5s, and keep everything in context then he might be wearing green by Sunday night.
Is this Phil Mickelson's tournament to lose?
Phil Mickelson (-11): He needs to thank the heavens for that three hole stretch from 13 to 15 on Saturday where he shot five under par to charge to the top of the leaderboard. If he can avoid the huge mistake, like he made when he hit the ball in the water on 12 in last year’s final round, this might be his tournament to lose. He needs to put the pressure on Westwood early and see how he handles it.
Tiger Woods (-8): If Tiger can stop making bogeys, he’s got a great shot to win. He made seven birdies on Saturday, but made five bogeys to wipe out what could have been a great score. His putter is letting him down on a lot of greens. If he is going to win, he’s got to be right at the lead by the time he reaches the back nine on Sunday. That would likely mean an eagle on one of the par 5s, like he had in last year’s final round on number eight.
K. J. Choi (-8): Choi has been extremely steady but has only birdied number two once this week and has yet to birdie number eight (both par 5s). He is going to have to take advantage of the two front nine par fives tomorrow in order to get near the lead before making the turn.
Fred Couples (-7): Depending on what Westwood and Mickelson shoot, Couples may have to shoot the same 66 he did on Thursday to have any chance. That 66 marked his best career round at Augusta, but if Westwood and Mickelson go even a shot or two lower than they are now, he’s probably out of it without a miracle round. Couples needs to shoot 67 or so and hope the final pairing makes some mistakes down the stretch to bring him back into it.
The Field (-6 and back): Ricky Barnes, Ian Poulter, and Hunter Mahan are three of the streakiest golfers on the planet. If they get it going they could make waves on the leaderboard and get right back in this thing. Another shot back is Y. E. Yang and Anthony Kim, two more guys capable of shooting 65 tomorrow. Everyone in this group needs to shoot a very low number (like a 65 or 66) and hope Westwood and Mickelson come back to the field.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both in contention after two rounds at the Masters and were a Lefty putt lipping out on 18 from playing together on Saturday.
Both players sit at six under par, tied for third, and two strokes behind co-leader Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. It’s going to be a great weekend with all the big names on the leaderboard.
Here’s what the leaders are likely thinking after two rounds:
Lee Westwoood: Should’ve had the lead by myself but at least Ian (Poutler) is sharing in some of the pressure now. It may not be easy to sleep tonight, but at least it’s better than thinking about missing out on a playoff at Torrey Pines and Turnberry. How do you bogey three of your last four holes!? Ah, it doesn’t matter now. Let’s go get that green jacket.
Ian Poulter: I’m glad Twitter is so entertaining. Too many messages about leading the Masters though. I wish everyone would stop reminding me. At least I’m playing with Lee tomorrow, a guy I’m comfortable with. I’m starting to wonder whether we all really wished Tiger was back because he’s only two back.
Tiger Woods: Man, it feels good to be back on the golf course. I’m glad the media is finally asking me questions about golf instead of about my personal life–except for those damn planes. Who is flying those things anyways?
K. J. Choi: Another day with Tiger? Come on. Two days is enough of that circus. Oh well, at least I get to watch the guy that is more than likely going to the front. I can’t lose site of him that way.
Ricky Barnes: If only I hadn’t blown that huge lead at Bethpage, I might be the center of attention this week. Maybe tomorrow I won’t completely forget how to play golf with the pressure on.
Anthony Kim: I think I can go out and shoot 54 tomorrow. If I birdie every hole the rest of the way nobody is going to beat me. I must go at every flag.
Phil Mickelson: Can’t believe that putt on 18 didn’t go in! Everyone keeps talking about Tiger, but I’m right here and in contention. That’s fine. I’d prefer to fly under the radar–at least for another day.
Y. E. Yang: First I took down Tiger, now it is Phil’s turn. Maybe I’m a jinx. After I beat Tiger at the PGA, his life fell apart. I hope that doesn’t happen to Phil after I stare him down.
Tom Watson: This isn’t Turnberry! How am I doing this? At my age I should be starting the tournament with Jack and Arnie, not contenting for the green jacket. Who knows, maybe I can go win this thing. I remember back in’82….
Fred Couples: Man, if my back didn’t kill me all the time I’d be in great shape. At least I’m not the only old guy probably hurting a little bit. Time to go ask Tom Watson what he does inbetween rounds for his aching back.
Tiger Woods has had some great memories at Augusta National, including winning four green jackets, but he’s never played better statistically in the first round of The Masters than he did on Thursday.
Pos.
Player
Score
1
Fred Couples
-6
2
Tom Watson
-5
2
Phil Mickelson
-5
2
Lee Westwood
-5
2
Y. E. Yang
-5
2
K. J. Choi
-5
7
Tiger Woods
-4
7
Anthony Kim
-4
7
Ian Poulter
-4
7
Ricky Barnes
-4
7
Nick Watney
-4
With questions circling about his personal life and his career needing more rebuilding than his reconstructed knee, Woods pulled out his first sub-70 opening round at the Masters. He did it by making two eagles, at eight and fifteen, and overcoming many missed par attempts from inside ten feet. Despite a very hard-to-believe birdie try miss on 18, Woods has to be happy with his opening round.
The scary thing about Woods’ game is that he hasn’t played in five months. Imagine how good he might be on the weekend after he gets 36 holes of competition in his back pocket. By then, it might be too late for the rest of the field.
Fred Couples, 50, and Tom Watson, 60, turned back the clock by taking the top two spots on the leaderboard. Watson showed us at last year’s British Open that his stay at the top may not be shortlived, because at Turnberry he was an unlucky bounce on 18 from winning a major championship at age 59. Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood, two of the favorites coming in, are tied for second with Watson after shooting 67. PGA Champion Y. E. Yang, who could be Tiger Woods kryptonite if there is such a thing, is also in a tie for second.
So far, this is all about Woods, who sits just two back.
I wrote last night that it was very unlikely that Woods could win, because he hasn’t played any events this year. It’s hard to imagine him opening up his season anywhere expecting to win after everything he’s been through personally, but at Augusta National it would be an unimaginable feat if he could somehow win.
Although I never count against Tiger, this was the first time I ever doubted him in a tournament. I’m now convinced that more than ever he is still the man to beat this weekend at Augusta.
His emotions were held in check most of the day. There were two fist pumps for the eagles, but not much more. Woods smiled quite a bit, even following bogeys. It was very clear that the issues in his personal life have not affected his desire to win, his hunger, or his focus.
Usually when he starts out a major hot, it’s bad for the rest of the field. At Augusta, we’ve never seen him this far up the leaderboard after round one. Is everything that happened over the last five months being used as motivation to turn Woods into an even more dominant player? His game showed no weaknesses on Thursday.
If Woods wins, this could be one of the greatest sports stories we’ve ever seen. If he plays the way he did on Thursday for the rest of the weekend, I don’t see anyone else beating him.
Padraig Harrington: Harrington has three majors to his credit and has the game to win at Augusta. He hasn’t handled pressure well recently in big events (like last year’s PGA Championship) but overall he is very good under pressure.
Ernie Els: Now that Els has won this year, everyone is jumping on the Big Easy bandwagon. Didn’t we all just jump off? He’s got the game to win at Augusta, but he’s never quite been able to grab the green jacket despite two runner up finishes.
Phil Mickelson: Lefy finishes in the top ten every year and is probably the surest best to do well. He might win with all the attention on Tiger.
Tiger Woods: I know, I know. After everything that has happened how could Tiger Woods win the Masters? Who knows, but if anyone can do it Woods can.
Lee Westwood: Westwood keeps missing putts to get into major championship playoffs, but at least he’s in contention in most majors. He has the game to win a major, he just hasn’t put it all together yet.
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Darkhorses:
Tim Clark: I know only long-hitters usually play well at Augusta National, but Clark hits it straight and has the putter to shoot a low round.
Alvaro Quiros: He can bomb it off the tee and should use that to completely destroy the par 5s.
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Birdie Busters:
Anthony Kim: He’s already shown that he can light it up at Augusta National, but may not be able to avoid the bogey long enough to stay in serious contention.
Hunter Mahan: When this guy is playing well, not many on the tour are better than him at making birdies.
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My Pick: Steve Stricker I’m taking the “forgotten” number two man in the world to win this week because he drives the ball accurately and has the putting prowess of a Masters champion. It’s his turn to be in the spotlight for once.
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My Projected Top 10:
1. Steve Stricker
2. Anthony Kim
3. Phil Mickelson
4. Padraig Harrington
5. Alvaro Quiros
6. Tiger Woods
7. Tim Clark
8. Jim Furyk
9. Lee Westwood
10. Hunter Mahan
Tiger Woods probably won’t win The Masters this weekend. It’s almost impossible to win a major championship in golf as it, without factoring in a blown up marriage, a huge layoff, and a rebuilt outlook on life.
But what if he does?
ESPN’s Rick Reilly has already written an article on this question, but I have my own thoughts. Reilly focused more on how it would affect Tiger’s personal life than how it would affect the game of golf. A win might be all Tiger needs to fall back into the self-centered life style he was living before, or it might be what he needs to realize the game of golf does need him and that his new life can still mix with a part of his old one to create a successful medium.
How would it affect the game of golf if Tiger wins? Things wouldn’t be back to normal like most believe. This is different than when Woods won the U. S. Open on one leg, just because he was on top of the world when he toppled Rocco Mediate in a 19 hole playoff that Monday. Right now, Tiger’s celebrity life is on life support and his golf career’s future is shaky at best.
He’s not just in the middle of a long layoff because of a knee surgery this time around. Woods has practically been on the sideline, watching as his entire life spiraled out of control because of bad decisions he made. He’s fallen from the top as far and as fast as a billionaire can.
A year ago at this time if Tiger Woods had run for president I think a lot of America would have voted for him without thinking twice. That’s the best way to describe how much we all trusted him and how much we believed that Tiger was different than other celebrities. We thought he was actually a good role model for children and seemed to never do anything wrong publicly.
Thanksgiving night we know that all changed. His wife has done everything but leave him while Tiger has stayed hidden behind closed doors. Now he’s emerging from the shadows and expecting to win his fifth green jacket at Augusta National. If anyone can do it, Tiger Woods can do it. At least the old Tiger could. Will he still be as dominant? Will he still be the same guy he was? We’ve asked those questions so many times about Woods, especially after all his knee surgeries and he’s always showed us quickly that he is as good as ever.
This time might be different. I believe Woods will be a dominant player again in the near future, but asking him to win at Augusta National without any warmup events is a tall task. If he does win, competitive golf might be canceled. If the rest of the world can’t defeat Tiger after everything he’s been through lately, I don’t know how other golfers can beat him on a consistent basis.
Maybe this controversy will make him even more dominant than he was before. A determined Tiger is always the scariest athlete in the world because when his mind is set to win he’s holding the trophy on Sunday afternoon most of the time. This week he says he plans to try to win, but for the first time ever I don’t think winning is his measure of success this weekend.
Last year’s final round with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson dueling behind the leaders was the best I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen either one of them play better golf than they did that day, although neither won the tournament. If Woods is in contention on the back nine this year and makes a charge, last year’s Masters won’t even be able to compare.
If he does pull out the miracle win, Butler’s NCAA Tournament Cinderella story will be quickly pushed aside by the story of a man that worked himself to the top, lied his way to the bottom, and somehow overcame all of that controversy to win The Masters right in the middle of it.
It’s almost too good of a story.
It’s almost too perfect.
Can a man that has lost so much green because of his mistakes really end his first weekend back in the public spotlight wearing green?
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