Posted on 04/13/2013 11:55:14 AM PDT by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
I’m a huge Tiger Woods fan. That’s why it pains me that he continues to do damage to his once-nearly-pristine image.
Having recently reclaimed his sport’s ranking as World No. 1 – as the Euros put it – Tiger flew this week to Augusta, Georgia as the favorite to win the Masters.
He acquitted himself rather well the tourney’s first two days, save for a mishap yesterday on the 15th hole. He hit an approach shot to the green that, as bad luck would have it, ricocheted off the flag pole and careened into the creek.
After taking a “drop” – which entailed a one stroke penalty – Tiger hit his next shot on the green, sank the putt and rocked on to the next hole. As it turns out, the world’s most famous golfer made an improper drop, for which he should have been penalized another two strokes.
Tiger signed his scorecard without including the two penalty strokes and left the golf course. This morning he learned of his error, which meant he signed his Friday scorecard incorrectly.
In every case I’ve ever heard, a golfer who signs an incorrect scorecard in tournament play is disqualified. Yet, the green jacketed powers-that-be at Augusta National somehow found a way not to disqualify Tiger.
And even though I had looked forward this weekend to seeing whether my favorite golfer could win the fifth Master’s championship of his career, I think Augusta’s green jackets made the absolute wrong decision.
Nevertheless, the Bible advises “that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
I believe the Almighty, in His infinite grace, gave Tiger an opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of many of those who have not gotten past his serial adultery with who knows how many harlots, which defiled his marriage and left a lasting scar upon his faithful wife, the mother of his two beautiful children.
Oh, how I hoped that Tiger would say that, even though Augusta’s powers-that-be had not disqualified him for his rule-breaking – had tempted him with preferential treatment – he had decided to disqualify himself. Even though doing so would cost him the Masters.
But Tiger did not enter today through the narrow gate, of which the Word of God speaks. He chose the wide gate, the broad way that leads to destruction.
In 2010, Tiger delivered a mea culpa in which he told a national television audience, “I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior.” He promised “to be a better man.” And he confided he was returning to the Buddhist faith of his youth, which his Thai mother instilled in him.
Well, the events of today suggest that Tiger is not the better man he promised to be. And I am persuaded he will remain a lost soul until, hopefully, he comes to Jesus.
For when a man is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things are passed away. All things become new.
Are they mutually exclusive? Why can’t it be both?
You make some great points, and they should be heeded by the Pharisees among us....and let’s not forget - all of this was the result of a totally bizarre and unlucky bounce as a result of a shot so perfect that it deserved rich reward, and not a four shot problem. Again, I am luke warm on Tiger either way, but truth is truth.
“play a game of skill within the spirit of the rules”
Cheating is within the spirit of the rules? Dropping farther back than need to gain an advantage is cheating. You play a different game than I do... The incorrect scorecard penalty is there to allow for the DQ. Otherwise they never would DQ. The committee decided to penalize him for cheating. But let him play on? OMG! Bobby Jones is rolling over in his grave.
Imagine what will be said if Tiger goes on to win?
You are on an arrogant high horse to accuse him of cheating, not to mention you are being intellectually absurd. Cheating? Really? Do you think he’s dumb enough to intentionally cheat in front of 20 million people? Get a grip.
You obviously don’t know golf. A ball drop is ALWAYS done to your advantage, within your interpretation of the rules. He was trying to gain an advantage, but not trying to gain one by cheating. And you don’t know the history of the card rule either - else they would not have mitigated it the way they did two years ago.
by the way, dropping the ball FURTHER AWAY from the hole is allowed in most drop situations. In fact, had he taken the drop area releif, or the line of crossing spot, he could have dropped as far back as he needed to. But then again, I guess you’re perfect so you have a different standard.
Tiger combined two rules and I think it was an honest mistake. BUT, if he weren’t the name he is and the top PR man for the Masters he would’ve been booted.
Lame. He didn't "learn of his error" because it wasn't until today that the "powers that be" ruled there was even an error in the first place. And what's with the, "I’m a huge Tiger Woods fan. That’s why it pains me..."? You're full of horse manure.
Oh come on, as a Nation we’ve lowered every standard that I can think of to accommodate our precious negros...once one more?
It’s like reparations in kind.
No, the rule dated to a time when gentlemen played the game, and held themselves to strict standards. In a society where cheating is endemic, I can understand why the rule would be considered to be outdated, as are most traditional standards of morality.
Finally, something in this post that I can give an "amen!" to.
I think the word you are looking for is ‘then’ not ‘they’.
To answer your question, so he wouldn’t starve. Tiger’s suck-ups had already run off most of Fuzzy’s sponsors.
And since I have a couple of cans of collards in the pantry, I guess you’d consider me a Negro. No telling what you’d think about me if you saw the cans of refried beans next to them.
For some of us honor isn’t a quaint anachronism. Woods is an uber narcissist, so his failure to be a gentleman and withdraw is not a surprise.
Here is what Greg Norman thinks...
@SharkGregNorman: It is all about the player and the integrity of the game. Woods violated the rules as he played #1 carries a greater burden. WD for the game
Incorrect. Listen to the Fred Ridley interview on CBS. This is exactly why Rule 33-7 is now in place.
This morning, the golf talking heads could talk of nothing else. Most said that he should be DQ’d, or should DQ himself, but none knew the facts. They did see the videotape and they did hear Woods’ comments post round, but that wasn’t the whole story and as more bits and pieces dribbled out, some of them dug themselves in deeper, much as you are doing.
Then came the press conference by the Competition Committee who explained that they had investigated Woods’ play on 15 based on a viewer call in while Woods was still on the course, determined that his drop was proper and ruled that no violation had occurred. Therefore, they did not inform him of the inquiry or question his actions and let him sign his as it stood. If they thought an infraction had occurred, they would have assessed the penalty before he signed his card.
His later interview called their decision into question, so they interviewed him, determined that he had violated the rule, and assessed a penalty. He did not cheat, he violated a rule and was assessed a two stroke penalty for his mistake.
The scorecard issue was covered by a new rule designed to specifically deal with reports from viewers. Since the committee had already made a ruling during play, they determined before they interviewed Woods that the DQ rule would not apply no matter the outcome of the interview. They also informed the governing bodies of their decision who concurred with the decision. Once the commentators became acquainted with the facts, several, including Nick Faldo changed their view and came to agree with the Competition Committee’s actions.
If it’s OK with the USGA and the R&A, then I’d say it’s within the rules of golf. Woods won’t win, I don’t think, but if he does he will have done so with the letter and spirit of the rules. Ask the USGA and the R&A.
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