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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- william sadler - Jul 8, 2010 at 3:42 PM
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I wonder how many of the male reporters asking tiger about his infidelity are presently or in the past had their own affairs, and have cheated on their wives or husbands..I notice nobody mentions all of tigers women have been white, as is his wife,, but then tiger would not confirm he is black, claims he is mixed..If tiger wants to cheat on his wife, and he did, that is his business and his wifes, he got caught, she kicked his ass, and will now take half of his and her earnings..She deserves it, so does he, but I find it hillarious that reporters, men and women, are so judgemental when I am sure they are or have cheated on their significant others,,remember bill clinton, all the democrat women coming out saying if we got rid of all the politicians who were cheating on wives and husbands, we would not have anyone left,, now that would be a good idea…People in glass houses should not throw stones, if a man or woman dont mind cheating on their wives, husbands and families, if people dont mind if their son in law is cheating on his wife,, who are we to judge,,, maybe she is just another stupid gold digger, who would have been a great waitress like Nicole Brown Simpson, but got lucky and married a super star, that is most womens fantasy,,
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- Stephen - Jul 8, 2010 at 4:30 PM
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Your kidding me, right? When you make a Billion dollars as a role model and a spokesperson for some of the biggest brands in the land, everything about you as open to public scrutiny. It is the price you pay to charge the price you are paid. If Tiger just wanted to be a golfer and have his personal life left personal, then he should have stuck with playing golf and living off the winnings only. Then his personal life has nothing to do with you, me or anyone else. But as soon as you begin to use your public image to earn you 10x of your winnings, that your image is much more than just your golf swing. It is you, both private and public. One can not pick ad choose which part of their private life they want public once they have decided to use the public to make their life.
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- Donna - Jul 8, 2010 at 4:58 PM
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My my, for someone who has “met Tiger” numerous times, have personal insight to where his mind is at do we? Well well,
***EVERUYONE LISTEN INTENTLY WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO KNOWS TIGER PERSONALLY AND CAN ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS ON TIGER’S FUTURE INTENTIONS AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT NEXT*****
To Rick Chandler: No reason to speculate any more Florida727 has all the insight into Tigers motives and actually based on what this wealth of information tells me in a post Tiger is not motivated by money and therefore ready to give Elin every dime and play for free in the future just for the sake of the record books!!! Be sure to consult Florida727 in the future with questions!
I’ll gladly own up to my own opinion of things, just as you are glad to force your knowledge of the situation on everyone else.
“one of the stupidest rebuttals I’ve seen in years”. I’m glad I could contribute to your many experiences in your life!!!!
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- Alan - Jul 8, 2010 at 5:00 PM
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I could care less what Tiger does on his own time, but yiu have to admit he is not a bright guy and a poor husband and father to boot.
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- JD - Jul 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM
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The problem is that Tiger made it the public’s business. When? After his rehearsed half hearted and phony staged apology. I agree ones life is personal. But for heavens sake don’t come out with a “public” attempt at an apology, especially a weak attempt as that was. Tiger brought this on himself. I still wish him well.
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- Tito - Jul 8, 2010 at 6:53 PM
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Right on Carol !!! It is nobody’s business and it is getting old already. Leave him alone !!!
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- stevefromsacto - Jul 8, 2010 at 8:35 PM
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I knew the right-wing a-holes would use this story to bash JFK.
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- paul shields - Jul 8, 2010 at 8:55 PM
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JFK got away with it because we were not plagued by the bottom feeding remoras that now swim from story to story and sensationalize what they can. They have the nerve to call themselves reorters . Put on a flak vest and a helmet you losers and tell us whats giong on in Afghanastan and iraq.
Bunch of parasites.
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- golfer59 - Jul 8, 2010 at 9:56 PM
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i hope tiger wins 30years from now i will be gone
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- fran - Jul 8, 2010 at 10:54 PM
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Tiger’s personal life and his game is one and the same. His personal life is affecting his game no question about it.
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- Benok - Jul 9, 2010 at 1:10 AM
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“This sullen, angry, get-out-of-my-personal-life persona that Woods has perfected isn’t getting him much of anywhere.”
Really Rick? I could imagine how he fared with your life with your millions?@## That is why I have the least respect to people like you who judge people just because they stumbled once in their life. Obviously you are a big fan of JFK,…where is he now???
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- RoyalComm - Jul 9, 2010 at 1:21 AM
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You go Donna, a very good reply. Your first comment regarding John Edwards really hit the nail on the head and made the most sense.
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- HULA FRANK - Jul 9, 2010 at 2:13 AM
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O’MY GOODNESS! LET HIM ALONE SO HE NOW CAN GET HIS BALLS IN THE RIGHT HOLES!! ENOUGH ALREADY!! LETS ALL MOVE ON!
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- Scott - Jul 9, 2010 at 8:17 AM
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Um…So, leave Tiger alone? Funny, he is a Celeb. That won’t happen. The Press is here to stay until the Government turns Communist. If doing your job means asking the same question over and over then just do it. All the respondent has to say is “NO Comment” Jezz, this is not rocket science.
Leave Tiger alone, that’s a joke. He is the number one. Save your breath. Tiger will get a break when the press finds something else that is front page news.
Why are good things not on the front page? No one would read it.
This is called Capitalism. You know that freedom some folks would like to blow the heck and gone away.
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- Berfman - Jul 9, 2010 at 8:48 AM
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Carol:
The reason his personal life is important is that Tiger tried to set an image that he was above reproach. His endorsements, his life, and his persona was based upon him be squeaky clean as a golfer and as an individual. He LIED. He has led a despicable life all the while paying hush money to his caddie and his mistresses.
Are we to believe him when he says buy this club or ball or piece of clothing? What makes it great, is he telling the truth or is he lying again just to get endorsement money.
Public figures are public. He wants to be a role model for young kids. Are we to allow our kids to look up to a man who lies? Yes he is a very good golfer but a despicable human being. He is no role model. He should be shunned and not revered.
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- Angelo Greco Sr. - Jul 9, 2010 at 8:54 AM
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Let the press turn a blind eye for Tiger, let the guy be, he paid dearly for his mistakes his wife and his kids and his career. The press should start looking at what the White house is doing to the United States………………
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- frank - Jul 9, 2010 at 8:55 AM
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couldn’t agree more with you. one of these days americans will see “camelot” for the hoax it was. for the most part the kennedy’s were a bunch of booze loving , womanizers who never worked a real job in their lives and lived off the public dole. i can understand why jfk is in arlington . and no disrespect to robert kennedy who probably would have been president (thanks for nothing sirhan)but ted in arlington is a joke to all that are buried there
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 9:32 AM
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Itsnoneofyourbusinesssw, I don’t understand how you could have missed that Tiger Woods DID miss SEVERAL months of competitive golf to TRY to salvage his marriage. He went to marriage counseling with Elin. He kept saying he was sorry. She was justifiably so upset she yelled. Tiger missing all those months of practice did not keep Elin from filing for divorce and may have cost him a Masters victory. I’m glad he took the time to be with his family. And I’m glad he’s going to see his children now. Btw, quite a few wise people have said that Tiger did TOO much talking to the press and that he should have kept his “confession” between Elin and himself. But now that all of this has come out, maybe Tiger will be a better person for having to work on his “issues.” I do hope Tiger Woods wins the British Open golf tourney this summer! And I think it’s horrible that “officials” have banned equipment that players have been using for several YEARS just to evilly TRY to keep Tiger from winning. I hope Tiger wins EVERYTHING he plays in for the rest of the year and beyond. Come on, Tiger!
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- Kunle - Jul 9, 2010 at 9:37 AM
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Phillip: I bet you’ve got no sin at all. Lots of hypocrites in this world.
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 9:38 AM
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JEG, your saying that “when the season starts” we’ll START to see all the negative press aimed at Rothlisberger that has been aimed at Tiger, clearly makes little sense when looking at REALITY. Remember, TIGER was not playing, EITHER, when the press feeding frenzy surrounded him! I’m afraid the posters who acknowledge that the double-standard is driven by race are telling the truth. Sad.
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 9:43 AM
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Doocon, you cannot be serious! “Details?” Tiger has ALREADY said too much, if anything. THAT’S one of the reasons for the insane race-driven frenzy. Tiger didn’t marry the public or the press. He married ELIN, and SHE is the ONLY person he should have ever said anything to about this! And he certainly shouldn’t have gone into “detail” about it even with HER. The people who want to hear sordidness are not worthy of respect.
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- k williams - Jul 9, 2010 at 9:49 AM
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RICK CHANDLER SPORTS WRITER AND HIS ARTICLE “TIGER WOODS COULD LEARN A LOT FROM JFK”. Rick you could learn a lot if you studied a little history. Tiger played around with the women but nothing like JFK. It was not just Marlyn Monroe, but the Presidential Limo was parked all over Washington DC on many a nite. The situation was so brazen that Kennedy was constantly seeing the girl friend of a Mafia figure that a full blown affair as with Clinton was about to takeplace, when he was assinated. Sure, Rick, Tiger has a lot to learn. The man has admitted his guilt and let things heal. Stick to your Sports info and leave the smut in your brain out of it. Plus what does an Irish accent have to do with anything. Rick, please read, “Writing for Dummies”.
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- James - Jul 9, 2010 at 9:55 AM
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Double Standard Again. There’s a great big difference between the way the press/media treat powerful politicians and athletes/entertainers(and especially Black athletes). The press didn’t hold JFK’s feet to the fire at press conferences over his mistresses and adultery. The press didn’t make a big deal over this at press conferences. Nope. But with Tiger they do. Just look at how the press handled the Michael Jackson Story(every day, day in and day out) and they still can’t let it go. With The Priests and there abuse and molestation of thousands of innocent victims the press/media can’t seem to get to excited (ala MJ). Big difference.
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 9:55 AM
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JEG, what are you talking about? Tiger Woods has hundreds of millions of dollars. He did NOT sell family pictures “for money,” for goodness SAKE. Tiger Woods has been amazingly charitable. He started a highly-respected Charitable Foundation for children YEARS ago when he was still in his early 20′s! How many other golfers did that before he did? O! After 911, Tiger cast about wondering what ELSE he could do. He decided to build a school – a big, shining place for children to get afterschool enrichment. Tiger first asked the children in the surrounding schools what they wanted to learn more about. When they said, “outer space,computers, geology,etc.” Tiger made sure to get the latest, most effective equipment and materials and let them have at it. And that’s just what he’s done in California. In New York, one teacher said that Tiger Woods at one point, was sending a MILLION dollars a WEEK to schools there for the children.
Tiger Woods, despite his addiction, is not the monster some people have been trying to portray him as. Btw, what Tiger did in charming women into affairs with him was WRONG, but what Ben Rothlisberger did in RAPING two women (that we know about) was EVIL!
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- michelle lilting - Jul 9, 2010 at 10:02 AM
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StakeX, what are you talking about? I have watched Tiger since he was an amateur, and at NO point did he ever “pretend to be perfect!” In fact he sometimes struggled with refraining from using an expletive at himself if he hit a particularly poor shot! So where does all the fake anger from the press and some people come from? Tiger got endorsements from Gilette and Nike and on and on because he is an ATHLETE. Heck, Derek Geter is SINGLE and gets endorsements. Tiger did not “use” his family or family image to enrich himself. He was getting rich anyway.
Btw, respected psychologists have long studied and described sex addiction. And given Tiger’s proclivities, it seems pretty clear he had one. I can only hope that he can recover emotionally, somehow get his wife and children back in his life for good, and is never unfaithful again. Oh, and win SEVERAL more majors!
