Opinion & Analysis

2013: The Year of the Tiger?

Published

13 years ago

Sep 28, 2013

The PGA Tour has announced its latest honor for Tiger Woods: Player of the Year. Tiger’s record this year certainly looks good enough on paper, yet something seems off with this.

Tiger won five times on the PGA Tour in 2013 including esteemed wins like two World Championships as well as the unofficial “Fifth Major,” the Players Championship. Add those wins up and Tiger finished the year at No. 1, so there shouldn’t be any debate about this, right? If that’s the case, then why does it feel like he didn’t totally deserve this honor?

Earlier this week when I scoured the list of finalists for the award, I swear that I skimmed right over Tiger not even factoring him. That was strange in itself. I was more enamored with the likes of Adam Scott or Matt Kuchar with a brief glance at FedEx Cup champ Henrik Stenson. My gut told me that Scott would get it based on his wins at the Masters, the Barclays, and his overall body of work. It just felt like his year.

I also was looking closely at Kuchar as it just seemed like he was in contention in nearly every tournament he played in. His year ended with wins at the Accenture Match Play Championship and the Memorial while finishing the year at No. 3 on the Tour money list.

So, this got me thinking: Why did I gloss over Tiger figuring he was out of consideration while I thought that those other guys, whose years were not as good as Tiger’s, were more deserving of being Player of the Year? When I dug deep, two words came to mind: injuries and (gasp) cheating. Well, cheating is a strong word so let’s just say that Tiger was looser with his rules interpretations this year than a foursome of beer-swilling burglar alarm salesmen in a Security Convention scramble.

As for injuries, I have this image of Tiger where I feel like he spent the better part of the year wincing in pain at nearly every event he played. I seem to recall seeing him holding his back, squeezing his arm, holding his neck or limping around the course week after week.

This is not to downplay injuries and their role in golf. Heck, we all know how small and big injuries can wreak havoc with anyone’s game, pro or amateur. It’s just that my cynical side seemed to think that Tiger would come up lame the worse he was performing. Then, he would inevitably have a miracle cure and storm back in subsequent weeks. Now, I’m not calling the legitimacy of these injuries into question. It’s just a perception that I have when I look back at this past “year that was.”

Another thing that I look back on when I think of Tiger 2013 is rules: breaking rules, getting away with breaking rules, and and then not getting away breaking rules. The notable rules infractions that Tiger tangled with this past year, in order of oldest to most recent, reads like a police blotter:

Tiger Rule Infraction 1: Abu Dhabi Doo

Setting: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (European Tour)

What Did Tiger Do: Tiger found his ball imbedded in vines in a bunker. He apparently didn’t like the lie so he lifted his ball and placed it in a more favorable position saying it was “imbedded.”

What Happened?: You aren’t allowed to do that in golf. In golf, you cannot improve your lie in a hazard so Tiger was assessed a two-stroke penalty following his round — but before he signed his card. Tiger did not call this infraction on himself. It had to be pointed out to him.

Tiger’s Rule Infraction 2: It Happened One April Day — The Masters

Setting: The second round of the Masters at No. 15.

What Did Tiger Do?: Tiger hit his approach wedge so flush and crisp that he flushed the pin when his ball (very) unluckily caromed off the flag and straight into the lake guarding the green. Instead of taking his drop from the place where he has previously played (or anywhere in front of that location between the flag and his originally spot), Tiger decided that he preferred to hit from a distance about two or three yards farther back. Tiger played a shot, ended up taking triple bogey on the hole, finished the round, signed his card and left for the evening.

What Happened?: In golf, you can’t do that. That kind of drop is against the rules. In this case, Tiger’s illegal drop was discovered AFTER Tiger left the course. Instead of being disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard, for which many famous players have been DQ’ed, the Masters Rule Committee made an arbitrary decision where they assessed Tiger a two-stroke penalty and let him keep playing into the weekend. Many felt this was preferential treatment. Many also thought the right thing for Tiger to do was withdraw because of his rules infraction. But, Tiger decided that he was above the rules and stayed in to a fourth-place finish, which certainly helped him earn Player of the Year honors.

Tiger’s Rule Infraction 3: The Sergio Affair

Setting: The 2013 Players Championship, No. 15 — Tiger’s Tee Shot

What Did Tiger Do?: While battling both on the course and off the course with Sergio Garcia, where Tiger would ultimately prevail in both battles, Tiger snap-hooked a crucial drive on No. 15. To the television viewer, the ball never crossed land from every available angle including the MetLife blimp. Yet, Tiger determined that his ball had inexplicably hooked some 200 yards up the fairway and he took what was clearly an “iffy” drop. To further exacerbate the issue, Tiger seemed to cajole his star-struck playing partner, Casey Wittenberg, into backing him with the story. Tiger dropped the ball in a far more favorable position closer to the hole, lying two, giving him a manageable 3 wood into the green as opposed to re-teeing lying two on the tee. He went on to par the hole.

What Happened?: Tiger would go on to win the Players Championship, which was his biggest win of the year — and probably biggest reason for winning this honor of PGA Player of the Year.

Tiger’s Rule Infraction 4: Freelancer captures fumble

Setting: During the second round of the BMW Championship, a freelance videographer for the Tour caught Tiger’s ball moving slightly with Tiger not calling a penalty on himself.

What Did Tiger Do?: Tiger was grooming the ground around his ball prior to his shot, moved a twig out of the way that was a little too close for comfort, and then his ball “oscillated” ever so slightly. Tiger took his shot and never said a word about his ball moving prior to his shot.

What Happened?: In golf, you can’t do that. A golfer is not allowed to move his ball in play, whether intentionally or unintentionally, prior to taking a shot (there are some exception to this like “lift, clean, and place” but you get the idea). A freelance videographer capturing the tournament caught the ball movement, called it in to his boss who called the Tour and Tiger was penalized two-strokes after the round — but before he signed his card. In this case, Tiger blamed the “Digital Age” saying that he gets undue attention compared to other golfers. What?! In other words, it’s OK to cheat as long as you don’t caught?! That’s how I read his reaction.

Each of these incidents taken individually is significant in a game built upon honor and integrity. These four incidents all happened before our eyes, involving the No. 1 golfer in the world, and probably the world’s most recognizable athlete. Tiger is in a position where he needs to be better than all of the other players on Tour not just in skill but in integrity, as well. By standing up and taking responsibility for his transgressions, Tiger can join all of the other greats players in PGA history. But, he seems to subscribe to more of a “win-at-all-costs” mentality.

Tiger’s mentality is the same one which has fueled all-time sporting greats like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, which is great for a game like basketball. But golf is different. Golf is a gut check. It’s a game against yourself and the course; not necessarily your competitors. It’s a game built on rules, some fair and many unfair. But, those rules are the same for all who play.

In my heart, I am convinced that the historical greats of the game including the very person for whom this award is named, Jack Nicklaus, would have willingly called those penalties on themselves. I have no evidence of this. It’s just a sense I have. And, no matter how painful it would have been, I believe they would have withdrawn from the Masters had they unwittingly signed an incorrect scorecard because that’s the rules. But, Tiger took a different path to victory.

Did he cheat for sure on his way to winning this award? I wouldn’t go that far. But, he did take a decided turn into a grey area where doubt has been cast regarding both his honesty and integrity. It may have just been four separate incidents; a huge set of coincidences all centered around one individual. No one knows for sure.

In the end, my hat’s off to Tiger for winning the award. But, I would have liked to see him earn this award with that rare combination of unbelievable skill and unquestioned integrity. My biggest problem with his win is that I leave this year with questions.

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Chris Hibler

Chris Hibler is an avid golfer, writer and golf gear junkie. If he's not practicing his game with his kids, he's scouring the GolfWRX classifieds looking for a score.

32 Comments

Hunt

Oct 3, 2013 at 12:43 am

I think the article was a nice summation of some of the controversy in Tiger’s year. It was an Opinion piece and brought up another look at the Player of the Year’s year. No where did the writer ever state anything about infidelity or even anything in Tiger’s past. I don’t even see how this was brought up? Tiger didn’t have to pressure Wittenberg to say anything. It’s just like what you would do with your playing partner, you would say, “Yeah, around there is good”. I can’t see too many playing partners telling Tiger to march back 200 yards when they didn’t have that good of an idea where it went in either.
I thought it was an entertaining article and not just a WRX fluff piece where every pro is great and every piece of equipment is the next coming. Nice to see the something without the FanBoy slant.

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- Hans
  
  Oct 3, 2013 at 11:28 pm
  
  I find it hard to believe that you say you area Tiger fan and the write a piece with so many innuendos that Tiger is a liar and a cheat. Your use of quotes around the words oscillated, imbedded, etc indicate that you don’t believe him. In Abu dhabi he called his playing partner over before he did anything. Looking at the phot in the article, I’d be hard pressed to call that area a bunker. At the Players he again was assisted by a planning partner to determine the area to drop. At the Masters the committee was as much to blame as anyone. They has a chance to talk to Tiger before he signed his card. They could have determined his intent with the drop and assessed a penalty before his card was signed. In regard to the video of the ball movement, the video was taken from a side view. Tiger was above the ball while moving the stick and any movement could have been viewed as the ball oscillating. There are numerous instances of players being assessed penalties from TV call ins. Tiger is not alone in this matter. He’s just scrutinized more closely than any other golfer in history.
  Your piece is more of a character assassination than anything else. His peers voted him player of year, that’s all that should matter.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Oct 4, 2013 at 3:01 pm
    
    I would say that about sums it up. Well put, Hans.
    
    Reply Report comment
JP

Oct 2, 2013 at 7:03 pm

It amazes me that if it was any other golfer nothing would have been said about any of the supposed violations. BTW, what Tiger does in his private life is private. You don’t see any other professional athlete getting slammed for his private life. It takes two to break up a marriage. She wasn’t peaches and cream either. Don’t you have anything better to write about than this.

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TWshoot67

Oct 2, 2013 at 4:52 pm

The problem is when you stick up for the worlds #1 golfer, you automatically become a Tiger lover or fan boy. The haters come out of the woodwork just as much or more so than the Tiger backers when a story is written pertaining to Tigers accomplishments or lack there of. Seems no one story can just be about the facts of this golf seasons play by all players on PGA tour. Because if a story was truly written that way there would be no discussion and no story about this years POY winner. Case in point if it were any other player with 5 wins and any other player with 2 wins no one would have said a word about the player with 5 wins winning POY. So for those who jump in trying to make a point about someone else actually having a better season then Tiger Woods, It’s purely driven by hatred for the man. Especially obvious when their following sentence says how their opinion of Tiger Woods is unbiased no hatred here! That they are purely making these statements based on facts, and the play of each and every player. These stories written that try and make a case for any other player than Tiger winning POY this year lets your true colors shine through quite clearly. It’s just like todays GC bull crap headline story about bringing up Tiger/Phil pairing for President Cup. It’s all about ratings and no real sustenance! If you wanted to write about Tigers rule infractions then write a story about the rules and how they’re handled. That’s a good story and even the people who really like Tiger and are objective they would have to concede to the fact that some these drops by Tiger were rule breakers. But to write a story about Tiger not deserving POY this year is not even a real story, it’s just gossip. Seriously, just take Tiger out of the equation. Ask yourself Mr. OP, would you have written this same story about any other player with 5 wins and the next best player having 2 for the year? if your being honest, there would be NO POY story, there would have been just a congratulatory story for this years winner, that’s it! Let’s be real.

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Fred

Oct 2, 2013 at 4:12 pm

It’s interesting – Tiger was accessed a two-shot penalty based on a judgment by PGA officials that his ball moved, which the rules say gave him an “advantage,” toward his next shot. Meanwhile, the USGA has ruled that players who use a belly putter have, in part, an “advantage” over those who use a standard-sized putter, which is why it will become illegal to use in the next four years. So, this means that for the next four years, Adam Scott will be allowed to use a putter the USGA says gives him an advantage over other players, and do so without penalty. Maybe I’m stretching it a bit, here, but, somehow, it seems like a contradiction in defining the term “advantage.” Just a thought.

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FredJ

Sep 30, 2013 at 11:13 pm

The drop @ the PLAYERS was not a bully move by Tiger as you insinuated. Johnny Miller is the one who a said it was a bad drop. Tiger asked his playing partner where he(the playing partner) thought the ball went out. The playing partner told Tiger where it looked like it went out to him, and that’s where he dropped from. Didn’t know that the folders could stop the tournament to while they were playing and take a look @ what the MetLife blimp showed?

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Chris Hibler

Sep 30, 2013 at 10:03 pm

As the writer of this opinion piece, I feel compelled to make a few mentions: despite many of the assumptions by the article’s readers, I am huge fan of Tiger’s, do not “hate” him, and also a huge fan of all aspects of golf. With that said, no one can say that the four instances I cited in the piece are anything other than questionable at the very least and all are examples of rules infractions that had to be called on Tiger instead of him calling those infractions on himself.

Tiger is a huge part of golf and arguably the greatest golfer in the history of the sport. I suppose that is why, fairly or unfairly, I expect so much from him.

Two corrections that were pointed out by readers:: Tiger did take a double-bogey on the 14th hole at the Player’s Championship (the “iffy drop” hole) and not a par. Also, tiger’s “oscillating ball” was caught by a video editor and not a viewer. However, that incident is raising the level of awareness regarding viewers calling in rules infractions from home.

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- Paul
  
  Oct 2, 2013 at 4:09 pm
  
  Another thing you are missing about Tiger’s so called pressure to Casey Wittenburg in the Players is laughable. There are many accounts from the people who were actually there that said Tiger was looking much further back and it was Casey and his caddie who said they believed it to be further up. This article is a practice in loose memories of what actually happened.
  
  Also, the Masters drop would have been legitimate if it had flown into the water. The only reason it was determined that he could not is because it actually hit the green and rolled back into the water. Also, to state that he thought he was above the rules is rather attacking. The rules through the committee and the ruling body were that he should continue play. Tell me why he should then disobey their ruling and DQ himself, who else would have? I doubt any player.
  
  The problem with this article isn’t that people think you are a hater. If you weren’t so overly quick to place words and thoughts into the head of someone you do not know and somewhat re-write history in your own mind, then you would have any problems here. That was the problem I had, not that you didn’t think Tiger was deserving, that you were over-dramatising the things that took place. Also, to say that he was looser than beer drinking salesman is lowly.
  
  Poorly written, even for an opinion piece. (I’m not used to this on GolfWRX, dissappointing)
  
  Reply Report comment
Yamaha Freak

Sep 30, 2013 at 10:00 pm

+1mil to all comments above :)))

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David

Sep 30, 2013 at 8:37 pm

You know Chris, the problem you face when you write anything about Tiger that isn’t an out-an-out exercise in adoration, that the Tiger-ettes will coming running to his rescue, with or without any knowledge.

I don’t dislike Tiger, but I’m not fan either. There are several players on tour that I like better, both as people and players, but I’ll concede that when Tiger is/was healthy, on his game and pretty much had the rest of the tour mesmorized, he was the best player and made some of the greatest golf shots I’ve ever seen.

Personally, I hope he doesn’t break Jack’s record of majors won. As a matter of fact, I also hope that Rory or Phil or anybody else doesn’t break it either. I look at those 18 wins like Ruth’s 60 homers. Great numbers!

As to the rules issues, I was at Augusta. Tiger hit one of those great shots and got absolutely screwed, but that’s the rub of the green. His playing of the next shot was wrong, totally wrong, but not a wrong as Augusta National not disqualifying him. Personally, I’m glad they didn’t because it may (absolutely would) have clouded a beautiful finish, playoff and win by Adam Scott and Australia.

I don’t think that Tiger cheats or cheated, but he needs to hold himself to the very highest standards and always ASK FIRST. He knew enough about the rules to enlist the gallery to move a boulder (about the size of one of the Buicks he was driving), so he would have a clear shot at the Phoenix Open, so he has a copy of the rule book!

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TWshoot67

Sep 30, 2013 at 7:14 pm

I would just like to know why don’t all these writers that obviously hate Tiger Woods write about someone they like, maybe then their articles would have some validity?

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Winston Urwiller

Sep 30, 2013 at 2:10 pm

This is the dumbest article ever. Also, tiger made bogey on that hole at the players, not a par.

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- Chris Hibler
  
  Sep 30, 2013 at 9:48 pm
  
  He actually made double-bogey on the 14th following his “iffy” drop. I stand corrected. Thanks for catching it and posting your opinion.
  
  -Chris
  
  Reply Report comment
DPavs

Sep 30, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Actually you are wrong. Tiger missed one cut this year at the Abu Dhabi. He missed 2 cuts in 2012. So while he has only missed the cut 10 times in his career 3 of those have come in the last 2 years.

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- Will
  
  Sep 30, 2013 at 1:37 pm
  
  The article is about PGA Tour player of the year…so if we look at his stats from this season on the PGA Tour he missed NO cuts…Abu Dhabi last time I check wasn’t on the PGA Tour rotation.
  
  Here is the link for reference:
  
  http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.08793.tiger-woods.html
  
  Reply Report comment
Will

Sep 30, 2013 at 11:16 am

Tiger’s 5 wins this year speak for themselves…Have you ever looked at this guy’s winning percentage…it’s off the charts and far and away the best in golf history over his career…So while you continue to nitpick and criticizes a golfer that in a single season won as much as Tom Lehman won in a career just realize that Tiger got to where he is because he just wins…Oh, did you happen to see how many cuts Tiger missed this season…NONE!! So you probably need to check yourself.

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DPavs

Sep 30, 2013 at 8:16 am

Have to love the resounding love Tiger gets from his fans no matter what he does.
To be real though let’s sum it up though. It is hard to dispute that he has engaged in conduct that brings his ethics into question both on and off the course. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s probably not a swan.

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- chowchow
  
  Oct 2, 2013 at 3:40 pm
  
  He learned it all from Tow Watson. Watson wrote the book for PGA players on how to cheat on your wife. Anyone want to dispute Watson’s adulteress sins with another Champions Tour Players wife? Why no outrage for the moralist?
  
  Reply Report comment
C

Sep 30, 2013 at 1:46 am

Tiger was hands down the best player this season, not sure how anyone can say otherwise. The writer of this article is obviously not a fan of tiger, focusing on the negatives instead of the positive. It’s sad that so many people have turned against tiger because of his issues off the course. We all have made mistakes, but luckily our every move isnt followed by the media. Yes, i know it comes with the territory and he screwed up very bad. It doesnt change the fact that he made golf what it is today. Out of curiosity, would all of you still bash on tiger if he never cheated on his wife? My guess is no.

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Matt

Sep 29, 2013 at 7:59 pm

I don’t even see why this is a debate. The people who vote are the one’s who know best the players, period!

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Cris

Sep 29, 2013 at 1:50 am

You should not say “why does it feels like he doesn’t deserve…” YOU feel like he doesn’t deserve it. This is your personal opinion and a very bitter one at that.

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Brendan

Sep 29, 2013 at 1:13 am

Charlie Rymer said something along the lines of “If you don’t think Tiger should be player of the year, then you either have a personal dislike for him, or you are comparing him to his earlier years, and not the other players this year”, and I think that there is on better way to say it.

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- TWshoot67
  
  Sep 30, 2013 at 7:05 pm
  
  SPOT ON! The only people who keep arguing about Tiger getting POY are haters and Jack lovers. They try and twist everything against a guy who’s won 5 times and try to figure a way of giving it to anyone but Tiger. Laughable! Tigers 5 win season is better the 90% of PGA golfers whole careers.
  
  Reply Report comment
shannon

Sep 29, 2013 at 12:44 am

How many times did Jack’s ball oscillate or Arnies? We dont know because there was not near the coverage off your coveted greats as their it’s of Tiger. You seem to have a problem with Tiger and if it’s because of cheating on his wife then shame on you. I know guys like Arnie Watson and numerous other greats of yesteryear are happy that didn’t play in this era because you know they were sewing their oats and yes im sure they had their share off infidelities, they just hid it more easily. He throws clubs and swears well what about stenson snapping his driver and destroying a locker room? I. guess he’s just a fiery swede his temper is overlooked. the guy won 5 times and was voted player of the year by his peers. As a writer you should only hope to be as good at your profession as Tiger is at his. To be honest sir you have alot more work to do on your craft to be half the writer that Tiger is a golfer.

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Michael

Sep 28, 2013 at 3:19 pm

I wonder how many times other players ball’s “oscillated” but since no one was watching them, they have never been caught. But you’re entitled to your own opinion. Granted I think it’s a horrible one.

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- Forsbrand
  
  Sep 28, 2013 at 3:38 pm
  
  Player of the year? You’re kidding me! Stenson? Especially if he goes on and wins The Race to Dubai! The way woods is swinging, Jack’s record is safe.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Steve
    
    Sep 28, 2013 at 10:50 pm
    
    How many times did he win this year?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Forsbrand
      
      Sep 29, 2013 at 4:50 pm
      
      jack has retired mate, he hasn’t won anything this year:)
      
      Reply Report comment
Steve

Sep 28, 2013 at 1:05 pm

Didn’t a free lance camera man catch the ball “moving”? Not a viewer? Either way, Tiger was far and away the best player in golf this year. And why would it matter if he was healthy all year? That’s ridiculous. 5 wins is 5 wins.

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Ethan

Sep 28, 2013 at 12:12 pm

Despite all that. I guarantee others sometimes have iffy judgement. The difference being that they’re not tiger. Every swing he takes is taped and announced, which is why in that situation I’d rather be a no name pro that nobody knows. Really, so many others do little stuff like that and never get caught because the camera doesn’t care about them. And I can’t honestly say that I think Tiger was trying to cheat. He knows better because he also knows that a million eyes are on him ALWAYS and knows he won’t get away with it. It’s happened to me where in the middle of a tournament and you’re in position to win the adrenaline is pumping and i totally forget two things: 1) you can ask someone for help on a rule, and 2) that there are people out there that live just to call you on every little infraction in the rules to get a leg up on you or drag you down because they don’t like you.Tiger earned player of the year. Though I tip my hat to phil, scott, and kuchar.

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Kyle

Sep 28, 2013 at 11:56 am

Cheating is a strong word and the fact you used it along with loose rules like beer drinking foursomes made me skip the rest of the article. He was player of the year, hands down. 5 wins is 5 wins. No one was even close to taking player of the year from him. 2 wins isn’t even close, obviously.

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