There’s something about questions being asked in an Irish accent that takes the edge off of a tense press conference; it’s like being interrogated by hobbits. Who could get mad at the Irish press? They’re such fun-loving, wee little fellows. Tiger Woods almost opened up during his presser at the McManus Invitational Pro-Am in Adare, Ireland today, as he was pelted with several questions about his personal life. But after briefly answering a couple of the questions, he turned sullen and silent. Well, you have to give my people credit for trying. Oh, and also for the time they made this.
When asked why he was flying home to Florida rather than heading to Scotland to prepare for next week’s British Open, Woods said: “I need to get home.” When asked why, he said: “See my kids.”
A question asking if he could concentrate solely on golf drew silence from Woods.
Once again, Woods’ ham-handed way of dealing with the press makes him look bad. Unfortunately he never read John F. Kennedy’s Dealing With the Press For Dummies.
More from the Los Angeles Times:
Throughout the 15-minute press conference media members attempted various angles to coax a comment from Woods on how his off-course troubles were affecting his game.
“There are times in one’s life when things get put in perspective, one being when my father passed, and obviously what I’ve been going through lately,” Woods said in his most expansive reply.
But when asked again, Woods had clearly had enough. “Everything’s working itself out,” was all he would say.
When asked again from yet another angle, Woods descended into silence, offering only an expression somewhere between a grimace and a frown.
This sullen, angry, get-out-of-my-personal-life persona that Woods has perfected isn’t getting him much of anywhere. To fill the void created by his silence, the press just goes wild, and even makes stuff up. Woods makes a habit of studying video to make himself better, so here’s a few he should add to his collection: Get some featuring a famous Irish descendant, JFK, at his White House press conferences. Here was a man who knew how to work the press, twist them around his finger, defuse the negative questions, and make friends and influence people during the toughest of times … all through humor and an upbeat personality.
And, it’s been said, he had a lady or two stashed on the side as well; and didn’t get caught in his lifetime. Tiger could learn a lot from him.
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Press conference gets personal for Tiger Woods [Los Angeles Times]
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 10:16 AM
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Frank, John F. Kennedy graduated from Harvard. He also, at I believe, at a very young age, wrote the bestselling book, PROFILES IN COURAGE! He was no slouch. Bobby Kennedy was very hard-working, too. There was no evidence they were alcoholic. In STARK contrast, George W. Bush was arrested for drunk driving and his bad example may have turned his own daughters into lushes, too!
In pressing a fair agenda for all people in the face of racist evil, JFK and RFK gave their very LIVES for this country. And Teddy, for all his faults, worked like a dog for health care. He had plenty of money and a great health plan. So why did he fight so hard and so long for people that don’t have either. Because he was not SELFISH like some people “on the other side of the aisle” are! Btw, many of the posters are right. The press KNEW about JFK’s “liasons” and KEPT THEM QUIET!
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 10:32 AM
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Berfman, what are you talking about?! Again – Tiger never pretended to be “squeaky” clean! In fact, Tiger publicly struggled with trying to keep from yelling expletives at himself when he hit a rare poor shot. Do you think Ben Rothlisberger, Andre Agassi, Charles Barkley, and John McEnroe were promoting themselves as “squeaky clean” when they got endorsements?
Advertisers first pick athletes for being athletes. The winningest athletes get the most endorsements. That’s just a FACT. Tiger was making more than any other athlete in HISTORY before he even married Elin. So to pretend he “used” her to get endorsements is dishonest.
If Tiger has a sex-addiction problem, which has been studied and described by highly-respected psychologists long before Tiger came along, then he needs help not over-the-top condemnation and a media feeding-frenzy. And Tiger Woods is relatively YOUNG. Who were HIS role models? Arnold Palmer had a reputation for womanizing. Fred Couple’s ex-wife tried to commit suicide before their divorce. John Daly’s been married 4 or 5 times. Greg Norman couldn’t stay married to tennis great Chris Evert for more than just ONE YEAR! Those people and scores of others like them are OLDER than Tiger! What of THEM?
And sadly Tiger Woods’ own father was not the best role model in that regard, either. Tiger’s high school girlfriend has said that Tiger used to call her crying about his father cheating on his mother. Clearly Tiger did not become what he is in a vaccum. The circumstances of his life and his associations have impacted him. It really is time to show the man some compassion.
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 10:36 AM
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Stephen, I don’t believe this. You’re actually saying that because Tiger went before the camera and shaved with a Gilette razor blade, he “owes” people an explanation about things in his private life?!? That makes no sense. You cannot be serious here!
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- Vonda - Jul 14, 2010 at 11:04 PM
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I do not condone in any way Tiger’s behavior with extra marital affairs, however, it is time to let it go. We have all kinds of professional athletes who have been arrested for everything from dogfighting to rape, some of them have served prison time and are right back out there making the big bucks and being cheered on by the American public. At least what Tiger did was not a criminal offense and should be left personal and private for he and his wife to deal with. Wake up America, he is human! Leave him alone!
