Retief Goosen thought Tiger was faking his pain and trying to create drama at the Open. I've been a fan of Retief's, but this is the most preposterous thing I've ever heard. Tiger doesn't need to fake anything to create drama. His playing in a Major is enough drama as it is. This will be clear to everyone, including Retief, when the next two Majors are played sans Tiger.
In Retief's defense, he was playing and finished T14 at 5 over. He may not have seen Tiger's grimaces, his limping off the tee box, using his clubs as canes, rather than his weapons.
I've had pain caused by a herniated disc in my neck that made me understand why people commit suicide because of their constant high pain levels. At my worst, if anyone touched any part of my body, I felt excruciating pain. I don't know what pain level Tiger suffered when swinging 130 mph on his leg with two stress fractures in his left tibia and a torn ACL, but I have a feeling it's more than Retief has ever felt, except maybe when he was struck by lightning when he was a kid and has since forgotten the pain.
Retief, a little compassion and an apology to Tiger are appropriate right now.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tiger Out for the Season
Tiger announced today that he's going to have additional knee surgery and is out for the season. Besides suffering from soreness of the knee surgery that he had in April, he also suffered two stress fractures in his left tibia, which was causing him pain during the Open.
Tiger hinted something else was going on when a reporter asked him if the pain was caused by soreness from his surgery or something else. Tiger responded with a big smile, and said, "I know what it is." That told me something else was going on and it wasn't good.
I can't imagine Tiger not playing in the two remaining Majors -- the Open and the PGA Championship. Television networks, the PGA, and millions of golf fans must all be disappointed. Worse yet is for the winners of both Majors. They may always wonder after their victories, what if Tiger was playing? Would I still have won? It's going to be inevitable for them and others to wonder, but to the eventual victors, "Congrats! You won a Major and still beat the field!"
Tiger, thanks for the most memorable US Open, and hope your recovery goes well!
Tiger hinted something else was going on when a reporter asked him if the pain was caused by soreness from his surgery or something else. Tiger responded with a big smile, and said, "I know what it is." That told me something else was going on and it wasn't good.
I can't imagine Tiger not playing in the two remaining Majors -- the Open and the PGA Championship. Television networks, the PGA, and millions of golf fans must all be disappointed. Worse yet is for the winners of both Majors. They may always wonder after their victories, what if Tiger was playing? Would I still have won? It's going to be inevitable for them and others to wonder, but to the eventual victors, "Congrats! You won a Major and still beat the field!"
Tiger, thanks for the most memorable US Open, and hope your recovery goes well!
Do you play like Rocco?
Below is my latest BizGolf E-Tip. If you'd like to receive my BizGolf E-Tips, you can subscribe at www.bizgolfetips.com.
Did you watch Rocco Mediate play in the U.S. Open? Rocco gave a lesson on how to build relationships on the golf course.
I always emphasize with my clients that you're not out there to shoot your personal best score when playing in a business golf round. You should be out there building or deepening your business relationships. You're out there to be the gracious host and making sure your clients or prospects are enjoying their time with you on the links.
Rocco was obviously trying to shoot his personal best as he was trying to be the victor of the US Open. But he put on his "happy face" as NBC commentator Roger Maltbie described throughout most of his rounds on Sunday and Monday. By doing so he was almost successful in defeating the best golfer in the world, but he also developed a relationship with the thousands of fan in attendance as well as t.v. viewers. His personality and happy-go-lucky attitude made him a fan favorite over Tiger.
So when you're playing your business golf rounds, remember Rocco and you'll likely play your best round of business golf!
Did you watch Rocco Mediate play in the U.S. Open? Rocco gave a lesson on how to build relationships on the golf course.
I always emphasize with my clients that you're not out there to shoot your personal best score when playing in a business golf round. You should be out there building or deepening your business relationships. You're out there to be the gracious host and making sure your clients or prospects are enjoying their time with you on the links.
Rocco was obviously trying to shoot his personal best as he was trying to be the victor of the US Open. But he put on his "happy face" as NBC commentator Roger Maltbie described throughout most of his rounds on Sunday and Monday. By doing so he was almost successful in defeating the best golfer in the world, but he also developed a relationship with the thousands of fan in attendance as well as t.v. viewers. His personality and happy-go-lucky attitude made him a fan favorite over Tiger.
So when you're playing your business golf rounds, remember Rocco and you'll likely play your best round of business golf!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Amazing Victory!
I know people don't like Tiger. I've never understood why, but after today, I don't know how anyone could still not like him. He showed grit and beyond-human determination in playing 91 holes after surgery on his left knee, which was obviously causing him pain every day. Until Thursday, he hadn't even played or walked 18 holes, since his last round at the Majors. Yet he was able to go out and win his 14th Major.
If Rocco had won, I would have been just as pleased. I like his humble demeanor and his happy-go-lucky attitude. He demanded Tiger's respect and certainly made Tiger earn his 14th. Most of the higher-ranked golfers seldom give Tiger the fight that Rocco did today.
One friend complains that Tiger gets all of the lucky breaks. I think you "earn" luck. As a golfer with three holes in one, I would say they were lucky shots, but it took some skill to get the ball near the hole. After the ball lands, though, I concede it's luck if it goes in the hole. The same with Tiger. He's lucky when his chip on 17 goes into the hole, but at least he aimed well to hit the pin and got the bounce into the hole.
Another person says he's a show off and gets too excited when he does well. Get real is what I say. I think his expressions of glee or disbelief equal his focus and determination. He gets to celebrate all he wants when he makes great shots that go in the hole or fall to his knees when he's disappointed in his effort or the outcome. I agree though that cursing on national t.v. is unacceptable.
Perhaps the people who dislike Tiger so vehemently should take a look in the mirror about who they are. To not give Tiger credit for this victory and be sour about him shows more about their bitterness and inability to celebrate someone else's phenomenal efforts.
Congratulations to both Tiger and Rocco for making this the most memorable US Open I've ever watched!
If Rocco had won, I would have been just as pleased. I like his humble demeanor and his happy-go-lucky attitude. He demanded Tiger's respect and certainly made Tiger earn his 14th. Most of the higher-ranked golfers seldom give Tiger the fight that Rocco did today.
One friend complains that Tiger gets all of the lucky breaks. I think you "earn" luck. As a golfer with three holes in one, I would say they were lucky shots, but it took some skill to get the ball near the hole. After the ball lands, though, I concede it's luck if it goes in the hole. The same with Tiger. He's lucky when his chip on 17 goes into the hole, but at least he aimed well to hit the pin and got the bounce into the hole.
Another person says he's a show off and gets too excited when he does well. Get real is what I say. I think his expressions of glee or disbelief equal his focus and determination. He gets to celebrate all he wants when he makes great shots that go in the hole or fall to his knees when he's disappointed in his effort or the outcome. I agree though that cursing on national t.v. is unacceptable.
Perhaps the people who dislike Tiger so vehemently should take a look in the mirror about who they are. To not give Tiger credit for this victory and be sour about him shows more about their bitterness and inability to celebrate someone else's phenomenal efforts.
Congratulations to both Tiger and Rocco for making this the most memorable US Open I've ever watched!
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