Saturday, March 22, 2008
Have you been watching Tiger?
If you haven't been, you should be. Tiger is the preeminent athlete of this generation. He is the Michael Jordan, the Muhammad Ali. That is not to say he is the cultural force Ali was, but as a truly magnificent athlete, practicing his craft, Tiger Woods is on a Ruthian pantheon.
He is doing things that are all but unprecedented in his sport. He has won five PGA tournaments in a row for the third time in his career. (He has also won the last two other tournaments that he has entered worldwide, for seven in a row all told.) Only two other golfers have ever had streaks of five or more PGA tour wins in the history of the game. Let us repeat, Tiger has three such streaks including one active now.
Last weekend he tied the legendary Ben Hogan in the record books for the third most PGA tours wins of all time, having already passed living legend Arnold Palmer, all this at the ripe old age of 32. The way he is doing it is equally remarkable. Last weekend it was a masterful charge from off the lead, culminating with superb style as Tiger drained a sharp breaking twenty five footer on the 72nd hole of play, to win the tournament with Arnie, now age 78, looking on green side. Word has it, Arnie called Tiger shot, whispering in the ear of a compatriot, "He's gonna make it." It was breathtaking. One of those moment people refer to when they describe the Durkhemian ritual of sport, its transcendent power to raise spirits and lift hopes. Look at this human, he is incredible and we are all witness.
This weekend, in between NCAA tournament games, do yourself a favor and flick over to Tiger at Doral, a tournament he has won three years running. For sure, don't miss the Masters, April 10-13th, as Tiger begins his quest for the Grand Slam, a feat never accomplished in modern golf. Remember for all the wingeing and wheezing about tennis great Roger Federer being an all timer, the Grand Slam something he was never able to accomplish in his much ballyhooed and over-hyped career, let alone a single season.
This year Tiger could do it. It will be historic. You will tell your grandchildren about Tiger. If he could do it in the year of Obama, all the better.
One final thought, on what separates Tiger, why he is this great, there is talent, but the real difference is drive, work desire and effort. He is the epitome of 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. Check this quote...
"Asked last week about the source of his hunger, Tiger seemed almost offended by the question. “I don’t see how you can live with yourself not trying, and not giving your best,” he replied. “People do that. I don’t know how they do. That, to me, is unacceptable.”
He is doing things that are all but unprecedented in his sport. He has won five PGA tournaments in a row for the third time in his career. (He has also won the last two other tournaments that he has entered worldwide, for seven in a row all told.) Only two other golfers have ever had streaks of five or more PGA tour wins in the history of the game. Let us repeat, Tiger has three such streaks including one active now.
Last weekend he tied the legendary Ben Hogan in the record books for the third most PGA tours wins of all time, having already passed living legend Arnold Palmer, all this at the ripe old age of 32. The way he is doing it is equally remarkable. Last weekend it was a masterful charge from off the lead, culminating with superb style as Tiger drained a sharp breaking twenty five footer on the 72nd hole of play, to win the tournament with Arnie, now age 78, looking on green side. Word has it, Arnie called Tiger shot, whispering in the ear of a compatriot, "He's gonna make it." It was breathtaking. One of those moment people refer to when they describe the Durkhemian ritual of sport, its transcendent power to raise spirits and lift hopes. Look at this human, he is incredible and we are all witness.
This weekend, in between NCAA tournament games, do yourself a favor and flick over to Tiger at Doral, a tournament he has won three years running. For sure, don't miss the Masters, April 10-13th, as Tiger begins his quest for the Grand Slam, a feat never accomplished in modern golf. Remember for all the wingeing and wheezing about tennis great Roger Federer being an all timer, the Grand Slam something he was never able to accomplish in his much ballyhooed and over-hyped career, let alone a single season.
This year Tiger could do it. It will be historic. You will tell your grandchildren about Tiger. If he could do it in the year of Obama, all the better.
One final thought, on what separates Tiger, why he is this great, there is talent, but the real difference is drive, work desire and effort. He is the epitome of 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. Check this quote...
"Asked last week about the source of his hunger, Tiger seemed almost offended by the question. “I don’t see how you can live with yourself not trying, and not giving your best,” he replied. “People do that. I don’t know how they do. That, to me, is unacceptable.”
Labels: golf, Pop Culture, Predictions, sports
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