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British Open afterthoughts: Does golf need Tiger more than Tiger needs golf?

Jul 19, 2010, 11:45 AM EDT

60 Comments

Rob Sylvester is also doing a bit of guest posting today. Yipee!
By Rob Sylvester
Does everyone miss the days of Tiger Woods dominating the tour yet? Yet another major has been claimed by a relative unknown, as South African Louis Oosthuizen has followed in the steps of Irish U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and captured a major championship without being very well known beyond the inner circles of golf. The bummer here is not that Oosthuizen won, but in how easily he did it — maintaining at least a 4-stroke lead over the entire field for the duration of today’s final round, Oosthuizen’s steady performance sapped any remaining drama out of a less than memorable tournament and ruined any chances of a Jean Van de Velde-level Sunday meltdown, which would have been the only way the Open Championship ended with any excitement.
Congratulations are certainly in order for Oosthuizen, whose dominating performance over the weekend was so anomalous from his previous golf achievements that one wonders how exactly it came to be — how this affable fellow with the goofy name and the Michael Strahan smile conquered the elements and the field so easily in route to rewriting the record books (Oosthuizen’s 7-stroke victory is the second-largest in the Championship since World War II, and comes at the notoriously difficult St. Andrews).
However, the bigger question arising from the result is this — does golf need Tiger Woods more than Tiger Woods needs golf?


While ratings information is not available yet, one would think that Oosthuizen’s Sunday lapping of the field couldn’t have drawn well, especially with no American golfer of consequence finishing higher than Tiger Woods’ tie for 23rd. Golf is a sport with a long history and a rich narrative, and quite frankly no other scenario provides near the levels of excitement or anticipation as Tiger Woods’ chase to surpass to Jack Nicklaus and his legendary haul of 19 majors.
Generally speaking, golf requires major story angles and dominant narratives to remain high in the public’s consciousness, at least in America — arguably even more so than the NBA, golf relies on individual star power to sell tickets and earn advertising revenue. While parity provides for the occasional stellar performance (such as Oosthuizen’s) and allows a wider range of professionals to share the spoils, the casual golf observer is much more likely to be reigned in by Tiger Woods on a march through history than a grab-bag of assorted golfers emerging from the pack to claim a major title before returning to relative anonymity.
Ironic that the storyline getting some of the biggest play today is Tiger’s under-his-breath, profanity-laced tirade on Sunday following a missed putt. What about that pledge to be “a better golfer and a better person,” as he stated in the event’s opening press conference? Um … the F-bombs begin at about the :15 mark of this video.
While many other top golfers (Mickelson, Els, Garcia to name a few) did not step in this tournament, their absences are not as glaring as Woods — the Luis Oosthuizens of the world aren’t supposed to win majors while the greatest golfer of his generation languishes in the field. While the public still has a wide range of opinions regarding Tiger and his recent fall from grace, his drawing power remains unquestioned — he is the most interesting figure on the Tour, and therefore, the most lucrative. If golf would like to be remembered as more than a series of “you know, that guy” winning all the major titles, someone has to step forward as the tournament’s alpha dog, a role still better suited for Tiger Woods than anyone else.
So while the question for Tiger is if he can regain his previous form and compete consistently in the major tournaments, the question for the PGA has become just how soon can that happen?
***
Oosthuizen runs away with British Open title [NBCSports]

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  1. Camussat - Jul 20, 2010 at 4:48 AM

    oh, grow up. He is an athlete, not a priest (oops…well at least he likes girls)…

  2. Lemonella - Jul 20, 2010 at 7:29 AM

    Never have seen so many people “hated” a person for being unfaithful to HIS WIFE. Not unfaithful to his job which is golf, but to his wife. Get over it people. All are entitled to their opinions, (even the heated hatred spewed here and elsewhere), but it appears many are angry because he is one hell of a golfer, extremely rich, and can live anywhere he wants. People do not see him a a GOD,but as a golfer, who boffed a whole bunch of women. Golf is a gentleman’s game (so say the people) and no one should be cussing and throwing clubs. Did you not see Casey cussing and many others hitting their clubs on the ground with all the missed putts. The very same people who hate the man and are posting that hate probably also have the mouths of a trashcan on their own jobs, and just as many people cannot stand them. HE AIN’T DONE YET. His life will come around just like every other individual who has fallen from public grace. Give it a rest people.

  3. gail - Jul 20, 2010 at 8:28 AM

    Golf doesn’t need Tiger. Golf just needs anyone to dominate, to grab the headlines with half a personality. Guys like Furyk, Zach Johnson, Stricker, etc…, great players with zero personality kill the sport for the fan who watches on TV. The game needs someone to step up and challenge the record book with a little bit of fire. Sergio would have been great if he fulfilled his early promise. Unfortunately, everyone loves a winner, and Tiger wins. Give the golf fan a new guy that can dominate, a charismatic athlete that kids can emulate, and Tiger and his aura will be history…

  4. Bill - Jul 20, 2010 at 8:37 AM

    Tiger has always been a total jerk. I have always hated watching tournaments in which he played. All Tiger, all the time. Had to go to the internet to see who was actually winning since the networks only showed Tiger playing.

  5. Nissan - Jul 20, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    The young people today don’t need ANY sports role models. They need to look up to their parents who should be the one’s setting the example of how to carry yourself. Since when is a black guy from L.A. a role model for suburban white kids? If Tiger was just a regular guy and moved into your neighborhood, you would either be putting “For Sale” signs on your front lawn or burning crosses on his.

  6. Nissan - Jul 20, 2010 at 8:43 AM

    That’s one of the most sensable posts I’ve read on this blog. You’re 100% correct. Good luck finding someone with personality who can also dominate. Unfortunately, too many guys win once every 5 years, if that. I think we will see golf viewership decline greatly in the next couple of years.

  7. Rob DiNardo - Jul 20, 2010 at 9:15 AM

    The true golf enthusiast understands the difficulty of winning a professional golf tournament, let alone a major championship. I have watched Louis Oosthuizen on the European tour in the past and noticed his compact, powerful, on-plane swing.
    To watch this man work so hard and progress is something to behold. To make a statement that a “nobody” has one this golf tournament is simple minded and disparaging to those that have achieved great success.

  8. Joseph M Willoughby - Jul 20, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    If Tiger would give up the game, Golf would be better off. His actions are disgraceful – just like Michael Vick. The guy who one the British Open was “in the groove” and deserved to win.
    Like others I am tired of always hearing “Tiger this, no one but Tiger could pull off that shot” I’m sick of it. He’s a good player – one of the top 5 in the world, but he’s a human being.
    Its not unusual for players that get older to start loosing their groove.
    So to CBS, NBC and all others – Give it a break on this guy. He’s not worth the attention.

  9. josephi - Jul 20, 2010 at 9:59 AM

    If he’s an idiot – then you’re STUPID!!! everyone can have an opinion, regardless of whether you agree or disagree, its theirs and your deragotory, name calling remarks will not change his opinion.
    In my opinion, Tiger will never dominate again – a new generation has started – Its pretty bad when his 2nd swing coach resigns – Golf needs to focus on others and I think the game would be better off without him.

  10. Smokyjr - Jul 20, 2010 at 9:59 AM

    I am very tired of hearing tiger this Tiger that, nice to seeing
    him fall on his face.
    He made his bed with many other women and now it is time he layed
    in one of them.
    Golf will go on and survive with out him, he is in no way the
    perfect little gentle man that he portrays himself along with
    his filthy mouth.
    And showing up to appologize for his actions earlier with a
    prepaired statement was absord, when you are truly sorry for
    some thing that you have done you appologize from your heart and not from a prepaired statement with a very selective group of
    newsmedia that he knew wouldn’t be little him.
    Hope when his little yacht goes down so does he and we all can move on and find other up coming pro’s to cheer over.

  11. andy - Jul 20, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    It would be nice if they covered the guys who are actually playing well week in and week out. Every dang week you have to watch Tiger’s every stinking shot and temper tantrum and he’s nowhere near the lead. Enough already!!

  12. Doocon - Jul 20, 2010 at 11:29 AM

    As Tiger slides towards also ran status, an emerging stable of talent will hopefully contend on a consistent basis not only in the majors but regular tour events. Big shoes to fill, but a possibility none the less. I look FORE-ward to it.

  13. Richard Treadwell - Jul 20, 2010 at 11:39 AM

    I love the way the headline characterizes the winners of golf’s major events — no-names. At least, Mr. Sylvester, they have one more major win than you or I will ever have. Give them their due.

  14. Mel - Jul 20, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    Didn’t like Tiger before… Like him less now.. Media made him a god and of course everyone picked him as the favorite to win the Open even though he hasn’t won lately.. I love to see the underdogs win and love it when el tigre is way back in the pack or even misses the cut.. Yes he has talent, but he is a very poor loser, and that’s where his lack of class shows.. It is easy to smile when you win.. I loved watching golf much more before the media focused only on him… When he is out of the hunt, let it go and put the cameras on the leaders or those making a charge. When in the hell are you going to figure out that we don’t want or need a steady diet of what Tiger is doing..

  15. ED - Jul 20, 2010 at 11:58 AM

    Golf existed before Tiger and it will survive Tiger. The question is will Tiger survive Tiger.

  16. nofanoftigers - Jul 20, 2010 at 12:01 PM

    I found it interesting how a “nobody” like Louis Oosthuizen carried himself during The Open. Besides playing the best golf of his career in difficult conditions he was classy and respectful and articulate in his remarks after receiving the Claret Jug. Reminded me of Justin Leonard when he won some years back. You could tell that both those players had a healthy respect for the traditions of the game and were able to win without the tantrums of the always petulant Mr. Woods.

  17. Jim "Bob" - Jul 20, 2010 at 12:52 PM

    Who cares? Tiger is a low life that needs to fade away!!!

  18. Steve - Jul 20, 2010 at 1:28 PM

    Sorry Rob, Tiger will never dominate again. It’s not that he’s so much worse, in fact, in a way he’s a victim of his own success. Other guys pay attention to conditioning, strength and exceelence and there are a bunch of guys who can outdrive, and out putt Tiger now. When he came on the scene, we oohed and aawed at his distance. He can’t intimidate anymore. He had to switch balls to get some of his distance back, and I think the ball is part of the reason his short game is suffering. You can’t expect a rock to be a good ball for feel. Yeah, it restored his distance, but I have never seen Tiger put as poorly as he did this tourney. Don’t say the wind, everyone had to play with that. Like it or not, Tiger is now a top ten player who will win a few tourneys. Pretty soon, the media will catch up to that. Time to move on. Lee, Rory, Steve Stricker, Paul Casey, maybe even the unknown Louis – this is the new face of golf and I, for one, find it pretty exciting.

  19. gail - Jul 20, 2010 at 2:06 PM

    Sorry Steve…it’s not the ball. There are so many innovations now with golf balls that they fly farther and still spin much more than they used to. Hi issue is hitting greens, which was always his forte. He’s barely in the top 100 in GIR, and same with putting average. Like Ben Hogan said…if you want to putt better, hit it closer to the hole….

  20. rs howell - Jul 20, 2010 at 2:22 PM

    I am happy to see someone play very well and win.
    I am sorry if people are bored because noone had a terrible accident, noone died, or suffered some injury. What kind of fans are we?
    I makes no difference who wins, he or she who plays best, and is most consistent should win and that is what we saw.
    Of course, we all have our favorites. I would have liked to see Tom Watson pull it off last year but, he stubbed his toe and that’s it!
    It is a tough game, those of us who love it and more especially those who are pretty ignorant of its nuances need to be taught how good some of these folks are…Jones, Nelson, Snead, Hogan, Palmer, Nicklaus, Woods, Els, Stricker, Mickleson, and on and on. I believe the youth coming forward will rejuvenate the game and it will go on and on.

  21. hedpyn - Jul 20, 2010 at 2:56 PM

    Hey Nissan,
    How dare you think you know how I would react if ‘Tiger’ moved into my neighborhood! If he was a person who did not direct all attention to himself for his own self-gratification and minded his own business I would gladly welcome him as well as anyone else. You are right that parents should be role models for their children,however,with the degree of media attention and peer pressure so prevalent in the world, children these days look up to those types of celebrities….sad to say. So before you make an unfair comment, think before you leap!

  22. Gary-01 - Jul 20, 2010 at 3:00 PM

    For me, I just wanted to see a close match…no matter who wins.

  23. hedpyn - Jul 20, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    Hey Jodeman,
    How does it feel to be like the BIGGEST LOSER in like, forever! You are so busy touting what a great person Tiger Woods is, I can guarantee you, he won’t give a s**t about you unless you can benefit him in some way(highly unlikely unless you are a ho.) Get off the drugs, STUPID!!!!!!

  24. Rocco - Jul 20, 2010 at 3:41 PM

    Rob Sylvester as a reporter, if you believe the PGA will close its doors up because of Tiger you are naive and if you don’t believe it you are irresponsible. The PGA enjoys increased revenue, viewership and attendance from Tiger, sure. But the absence of Tiger is a far cry from causing it to fail. Just like all the prior reported “irreplaceable” PGA champions there will be another. Maybe not fast enough for you to write about, but there will be another. With or without Tiger, the PGA and golf in general will do just fine.

  25. james - Jul 20, 2010 at 4:58 PM

    I’m sick of everyone talking about Tiger…it’s great to see guys that we have never seen winning tournaments like Oosthuizen. To be honest…I would rather turn off the TV if Tiger is winning than watch it. I want to see other’s step up and make a name for themselves. To be honest…I can’t wait till Tiger’s days are done!

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