Common Sense Observations

Leave Tiger Woods Alone

I don’t play golf. I don’t follow golf. I don’t watch golf on TV. Nevertheless, I do know who Tiger Woods is. I’ve seen Tiger Woods interviewed on some TV shows and also caught his name in several non-golf related articles I’ve read. One show I saw Tiger on showed a clip of him demonstrating his golf skills as a small child. It seems as though Tiger Woods was born to play the game of golf.

During the past week, Tiger Woods has had his name plastered all over the media. TV, newspapers, radio and magazines are all scrambling to make sure the name Tiger Woods is somehow their lead story. It all started with a minor one car accident that took place on Thanksgiving night. Tiger Woods was driving alone in his SUV outside of his mansion in Windermere, Florida. Apparently, he drove into a fire hydrant and a tree. Tiger Woods suffered minor injuries, and the luxury SUV had some minor damage.

From the minute his accident became public, Tiger Woods has watched as just about every news outlet in the free world misreported the initial facts of the accident, and then started to, how shall I say – embellish the facts. Within a day, the media fueled rumor mill was hard at work pumping out stories that included all manner of gossip – most of it not at all good for Tiger Woods or his sterling image. Some of the other people who were prominently mentioned in the Tiger Woods news/rumor feeding frenzy included his wife, Elin Nordegren and two alleged girlfriends Rachel Uchitel and Jaimee Grubbs.

Did Elin Nordegren actually attack her golf legend husband Tiger Woods with a golf club – or did she, as she said, use a golf club to break the window of his SUV and help him escape the vehicle? Was, or is, Tiger Woods having an intimate affair with former hostess Rachel Uchitel? Was, or is, Tiger Woods having an intimate affair with cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs? Who, except for Tiger Woods, his family and his closest friends, cares?

Remember now, all of this media hype and speculation began because Tiger Woods had a single car crash outside of his home in Florida, while driving alone. He was not caught in a sleazy motel with a woman other than his wife. There was no ‘other woman’ in his car at the time of the wreck. Nobody uncovered a cell phone photo of Tiger Woods and a mistress in a compromising situation. Tiger Woods simply had a minor accident. But that alone was just not enough for the media.

I say leave Tiger Woods alone. If he is having an extramarital affair, or affairs, that’s something very personal that he and his wife need to work out. If Tiger Woods is not involved in any extramarital escapades, then all of the speculation does him and his family irreparable harm. The media keeps screaming they want answers. I’ll bet Tiger’s wife wants some answers too. The sad thing is, if there’s nothing going on, Tiger Woods is going to have a hard time ‘proving’ it to his wife. After all, just pickup any newspaper and you can plainly see that Tiger Woods is cheating on his wife.

All of the media hype, speculation and rumors are no doubt altering the dynamic between Tiger Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren. Irrespective of whether or not Tiger Woods is having an affair, his wife must surely be angered with him for her public embarrassment. It only makes sense that she would blame him. Blaming the media offers no opportunity for venting or closure. If Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren weren’t having marital problems two weeks ago, they surely are now. If Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren were having marital problems two weeks ago, those problems have been grossly amplified by an apathetic and irresponsible press.

Despite all the media speculation about possible criminal charges against Tiger Woods and/or Elin Nordegren – the Florida Highway Patrol has issued a single citation to Tiger Woods for careless driving. The ticket will cost the golf pro $164 and four points on his driver’s license. So it’s all been much ado about nothing. Let’s hope that the ancillary damage caused by irresponsible reporting and speculation doesn’t cause him too much grief.

As I said, I am not into golf or Tiger Woods. Still, I was compelled to write something in the man’s defense. Fans of Tiger Woods might want to consider jumping online and posting something supportive for him. Perhaps an apology for his horrific plight during this maelstrom of destructive speculation, or perhaps just a ‘best of luck to you and your lovely wife’ during this crisis. If you’re a Tiger Woods fan, this is the time to stand up and cheer for your man. That’s what great fans do.