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Tom Watson tees off on Tiger Woods: 'He needs to show some humility to the public'

Jan 29, 2010, 10:00 AM EDT

259 Comments

Opinions on Tiger Woods come cheaply these days; who doesn’t have a take on this mess? His peers on the PGA Tour have been less chatty, however; and those who have ventured a few syllables have shown general solidarity. But no one figured on the venerable Tom Watson, unlikely second-place finisher at the 2009 British Open despite being 59; which is older than many trees. When asked when he thought Tiger would return to golf, Watson could have taken a mulligan. Instead, he took a couple of swipes at the world’s favorite tabloid sensation, admonishing Woods for a variety of misbehaviors. And suddenly a coma-inducing interview turned interesting.
Video following the jump.


Watson talked with NBC affiliate KSHB-TV from his home in Kansas City, and toward the end of the interview was asked when he thought Tiger would return to the links.

“He will be back at some point this year. But it’s really up to Tiger to get his personal life in order, and his golf is really secondary. It’s bad for our game. It’s something he needs to get control of and a handle on and make some amends and show some humility to the public when he comes back.

“His swearing and his club throwing, that should end. That’s not part of what we want to project as far as the professional golf tour is concerned.”

Here’s a link to the rather lengthy video interview with Watson. Scroll to the 18:50 mark for the Tiger comments.

Here’s a shorter version.
Of course its debatable that Tiger’s actions — both on and off the course — have been “bad for golf.” I have a feeling that, if and when he comes back, attendance and television ratings will go through the roof. Watson should have said “bad for golf’s image,” I suppose. Hey, when you’re nearly 60, self censorship isn’t that important. Agree with him or not, it’s refreshing to hear someone say what he’s really thinking.
***
Tom Watson Chides Tiger For Scandal, Swearing [SportsbyBrooks]
Tom Watson expects better from Tiger [The Golf Channel]

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259 Comments (Feed for Comments)
  1. James Bryant - Jan 31, 2010 at 11:08 PM

    Tiger,Tiger, burning bright
    Hits a golf ball out of sight
    Has a lovely wife at home
    Goes and leaves her all alone
    Now he’s in a major fight
    Cos of what he does at night
    Like the ladies so they say,
    Loves to look around and play
    Have no pity for the Brat
    Arrogance is where he’s at
    I just hope he’s done with golf
    To me he’s just a surly oaf.

  2. Give me a break...Bad for Golf? - Jan 31, 2010 at 11:26 PM

    Bad for Golf? WTF is this idiot talking about? He has been out in the sun too long?
    If Tiger stays out of golf for the whole year and the prize money drops by 50% and television rating fall through the floor then we’ll see how much they are going to be begging for Tiger to come back.
    Tiger is the PGA tour and he is golf. Like it our not. Besides golf is so boring when no one displays any emotion.

  3. la - Jan 31, 2010 at 11:46 PM

    you or in left field Waston, you or nobody esle have anything to do with what this man do off the course , he is not the first and will not be the last , be careful how you keep saying waston or anyone else has erand the right to speak about what Tiger did. I think if Mr. waston took 50% of his time take care of his businees and 50% staying out of other folks , he will be a lot better off. Ask mr. Waston about his conduct when he played Lee Tervio at the Canandian Open.

  4. Jay - Feb 1, 2010 at 3:10 AM

    Please I cant believe that nobody here has said it yet…… Put yourself in his shoes, married or not if you had all that money and beautiful women were throwing themselves at you are you telling me you would honestly walk away? All of you? As for me, I would try and hit every ass that came in my path…… And he never asked to be a role model, this is like people killing themsleves because the listened to a Judist Priest album or some shit….. Gimme a break, hes a rich dude with a dick…….

  5. Phillip Smith - Feb 1, 2010 at 11:38 AM

    Agree with FlashHarry.
    White guys have been internally fuming about Tiger taking over golf since the late 90′s. (Same issue happened with Hank Aaron)It is racial in part and jealousy the other part. Most of the current crowd would be earning minimum wage without Tiger and they know it and many others are just crossing their fingers hoping nobody finds out about their women issues. Allot of them are shutting up cause they have known this has been going on with Tiger and have gotten into the action themselves….probably set Tiger up on some of these dates…wink wink nod nod. I don’t think anyone should cheat on a spouse, they should just leave them if really unhappy, but that’s everyone’s personal buisness.
    With respect to the heritage and manners in the golf game, I prefer a few swears to what happened in the “golden age” of golf’s history. Yeah, the old timers had allot of manners. They wouldn’t speak up when blacks and Jews were kept out of the game because they were so “well mannered”. Hell, they wouldn’t have hollered fire, even if their own black caddy’s were on fire.

  6. Flash Harry comment to Wayne - Feb 1, 2010 at 11:40 AM

    Hey Wayne if it was my sister it would be none of my business and dont try to be flippant and try to dismiss racism as something borne out of being small minded. You may not be a racist but don’t try to fool yourself that alot of this isn’t about race. Get real racism does exist in America. We dont have to be nasty about that fact. Just accept it for what it is and stop trying to be coy by disguising your true feelings by way of silly comments regarding throwing of clubs etc. Not all golfers get fired up about their game. But dont you sit there and try to tell me that Tiger is the only golfer on tour who uses the “F BOMB” during the course of a round or tosses his or her clubs every now and then. NO ONE IS PERFECT INCLUDING ME!!!!

  7. Joe - Feb 1, 2010 at 11:56 AM

    i do truly understand what you mean when you speak of Tiger’s personal and his professional life but it’s unreasonable to think that one won’t effect the other.he’s in public eye and no matter how we try we can’t think that one won’t invade the other

  8. Richard Ralph - Feb 1, 2010 at 12:28 PM

    The swearing and club-throwing HAS been an issue; it’s not new. Tiger himself has made comments about being the most fined golfer. But he doesn’t care. The PGA doesn’t publish info on punishments or fines, probably because it would “tarnish” the image of golf, which is what the fines, etc are supposed to prevent. It does show a lack of class, though, on Tiger’s part. He;s not the only one, but he apparently is one of the worst.

  9. givemeabreak - Feb 1, 2010 at 1:11 PM

    Black?? Back of what bus? Tiger is bi-racial and is just as much Philipino and he is black. When is this country going to STOP playing the race card when it is convenient to their issue. Oh and by the way, our President is BI-RACIAL as well in case anyone has forgotten.
    Tiger Woods has a lot of issues that he needs to deal with. He’s been the fair haired and mit’s off golden boy of golf and he treated it badly. He needs to grow up and realize he has a responsibility to the sport that has affored him so much. The PGA tour just like others major league sports has it’s bad boys, and it is a discrace to the fans who supports and pay the overinflated salaries for bad behavior.

  10. Flash Harry - Feb 1, 2010 at 1:34 PM

    I notice that my earlier blog regarding Tiger’s wife being white with blonde hair and blue eyes have been removed. I wonder why? My comment was void of expletives, whether disguised or otherwise, and mereley stated some facts. Michael Jordan was not castigated by white nor by African Americans when he cheated on his non-white wife and he was and still is a popular celebrity. I did not hear this public scream about his filandering ways and his negative impact on youngsters as a role model. Something is wrong with this picture and the whole thing smells. I hope freedom of speech is not going the same route. I still maintain that if Tiger’s wife and the women he supposedly had affairs with were African American, the furore that we are now seeing and hearing everywhere about this GREAT GOLFER, largely from the white community, would never exist. This is not about swearing or tossing golf clubs, this is about trying to bring down and dimish the accomplishments of a GREAT ALL AMERICAN AND PROFESSIONAL GOLFER. SHAME ON YOU.

  11. andre - Feb 1, 2010 at 1:42 PM

    i’m so sorry that i’ve offened u with my post. but let me just ask u one question, do u think that “all things are equal” in america? meaning, does evrybody(black, white, asian, hispanic, etc…)all have “equal” oppurtunity in this coyntry? if your answer is yes, when did that happen, ie….what year? if your answer is no, then there is the answer to the question in your post! looking foward to your response! ;O)

  12. JOHNNYKIDD01 - Feb 1, 2010 at 2:28 PM

    I CAN’T BELIVE YOU EVEN BROUGHT THE RACE CARD INTO THIS….YOU ARE AN IDIOT…….TIME TO PUT THAT CARD AWAY…

  13. Flash Harry - Feb 1, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    You refer to racism by using the phrase “using the race card” as if racism is not real as if it is some far fetched inanimate thing that is incomprehensible and doesn’t exist. You need to go read about the history of America visa vie racism and get in touch with reality. Ignorance is truly bliss. It seems as if you are the
    ill- informed IDIOT!!!!! Sticking your head in the sand and pretending that things are not what they are is the behaviour of dumb ostriches if you know what I mean.

  14. andre - Feb 1, 2010 at 3:09 PM

    WOW, another “you’re an idiot comment”. didn’t u read Rick Chandlers’s post telling everyone that “Andre’, IS NOT AN IDIOT” now, i hope that clears everything up. have a nice day! :O)

  15. lee - Feb 1, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    Yes, I do have HIGH “morales” [sic]. I hope you could also spell correctly, i.e., if you are educated.
    INFEDILITY IS INFIDELITY (whether you have 1 or 100 women). I do not condone Tiger’s infidelity; I CONDEMN IT!
    Wouldn’t it be nice if Watson would admit, on record and in public, that he has committed INFEDLITY.
    Another thing. Why is Watson just coming out now to call out Tiger about his swearing, etc. I guess Watson has FADED in the background and wants to be noticed and have the spotlight on him. I would take criticisms of Tiger, anytime, from Jack and Arnie, NOT Watson who is just a name in golf. NOT IN THE TOP TEN OF THE BEST GOLFERS!!!

  16. wj.traveler - Feb 1, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    IT IS NOT B.S. It is the result of a lawsuit. The PGA, the USGA and the R & A all
    state the clubs Phil is using are perfectly LEGAL! Anyone can use them. There are plenty of
    them around.
    wj

  17. Phillip Smith - Feb 1, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    Lets face it, many of the Tiger haters haven’t watched any golf since Tiger last played and probably won’t watch another tournement until he returns. When he does return, they will all line up to watch him, extoling him to get on his kness and beg their forgiveness, but in reality, they will be watching because the best golfer in the history of the game by far, will be teeing up. I bet Jack and Tom and Arnie will be hoping he gets weak knees and shivers in embarrassment and pass out on the first tee and never return to golf, so that they can maintain their spot in history. However, that was over a decade ago no matter what hapens from this point on.
    I hope Tiger deals with whatever he needs to deal with in total privacy, never talks to anyone pubicly and then returns to kicking butt as always.
    With respect to racism, its still all over the place. Most of the negative reaction to Obama this past year is clear evidence of that, but we don’t need to look far to know how people get treated in real life. Their are many who would like to pretend that it isn’t an issue and everyone is treated the same in the good ol USA, but they have their heads in the sand.

  18. Rick Chandler - Feb 2, 2010 at 4:13 AM

    I was totally with you on this, until you tried to rhyme “golf” and “oaf.” Like Icarus, James flew too close to the sun. So sad.

  19. Laral Cima - Feb 3, 2010 at 3:54 PM

    Respectfully speaking, Tom Watson should be mature enough to know how and when to shut up and mind his own business.
    It’s the reporters’ job to ask these questions – I get it, but people need to use some discretion and judgement when blathering out their opinions on matters that really don’t concern them. Tom should take a lesson from Phil’s diplomatic response to the question.
    Simply put, Tiger is so popular not only because he’s so good, but also because he actually shows emotion when he plays. If that comes out as a curse now and then, well, join the club. Nobody’s perfect, not even you, Tom.

  20. 13thdisciple - Feb 3, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    News Flash Mr. Watson… Tiger Woods is un like any other player that you’ve seen. I don’t know how true your own infidelity is and I do respect what you have done for the game(just dont remember any of it) but give it a rest. We are talking about a player whose name is synonymous with the game.. Like Michael Jordan is with basketball. Why does Tiger need to apologize to the public for his private life? He needs to do just what he is doing… working it out with his wife. Why does he have to crawl back into the game on his belly.. begging and pleading because of his PERSONAL indiscretions that havent hurt the sport to people such as yourself? Jack Nicholas can ask for such… Arnold Palmer can ask as well …but not you! I tell you what when your name creates such a frenzy that every other player benefits from, then speak your piece…until then enjoy your retirement(or should be retired) and shut up!

  21. lee - Feb 10, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    Watson is not in the TOP 10 Great Golfers (and will never be). So stop placing him in Jack, Arnie and Tiger’s category. Watson will only be mentioned as one of the best players, NOT one of the GREATEST!
    The only reason Watson is in the news is because he tries to take a stab at Tiger. Otherwise, his name will not be mentioned and nobody cares about Watson. If it was Jack or Arnie talking (and they are not), may be I will give them my time and attention. Watson – not worth it.

  22. lee - Feb 10, 2010 at 2:59 PM

    Well, let’s start with you going back home to your Mom and learn about minding your own personal business!

  23. Lee - Feb 10, 2010 at 3:01 PM

    RIGHT BACK AT YOU!!!!

  24. Debbie - Feb 10, 2010 at 3:14 PM

    It really surprises me reading when people refer to his 6th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th mistresses as if what they hear and read is true. Are there any intelligent or educated people on this website?

  25. debbie - Feb 10, 2010 at 3:19 PM

    Did anyone “read” Rick Chandler’s box at the top before getting on here? This is what he says:
    This blog is updated multiple times daily with sports news for the infirm and the socially inept. Please remove shoes before entering blog. Not for centaurs.

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