The Masters: Tiger returns impressive! He played pretty well too

Corporate sponsors and media executives alike must be salivating with anticipation over the boon this scandal will deliver in television ratings once he returns. And trust me, there’ll be no shortage of corporations not only eager to replace any that dumps Tiger but also willing to pay even more for the privilege of having him as their spokesman.

[Tiger escapes to “safe haven,” TIJ, December 14, 2009]

Of course … no group will be happier to see him back on the links than his fellow players. Because, even though he routinely kicks their butts, they all have Tiger to thank for the millions in their bank accounts.

So here’s to Tiger not only playing but actually winning The Masters … in expiating fashion.

[Tiger’s back on the prowl, um, er, for golf titles that is, TIJ, March 12, 2010]

[Author’s Note:  The above was published on Saturday at 6:17 am – midway through The Masters.  Below is today’s update.]

Well, he didn’t win. 

It is noteworthy, however, that Tiger has raised expectations about his winning ways to such a degree that many people are dismissing his fourth-place finish as a failure. Whereas, the fact that he was able to rise from his fall from grace to play that well, especially after a five-month layoff, I think was nothing short of remarkable.

It’s just too bad that he made a mockery of his vow to not throw profane temper tantrums – along with his golf club – in disgust after hitting a bad shot.  Because he did just that on many occasions, and the media dutifully recorded and replayed, ad nauseam, such outbursts as, “Tiger you suck…goddamn it!”

This, of course, left him open to the ironic, though inevitable, charge that he showed as much regard for this professional vow of good behavior as he did for his marital vow of fidelity….

Even worse for Tiger’s now defiled image, however, was the appealing contrast presented by the classy and thrilling way Phil Mickelson won this championship. Not to mention the way he then celebrated by quietly embracing his cancer-stricken wife with tears streaming down his cheeks. 

I just wish the image of the notoriously unfaithful John Edwards embracing his cancer-stricken wife did not intrude on my appreciation of this heart-warming moment.

Related commentaries:
Tiger escapes…
Tiger’s back on the prowl…