Tiger has a big-time profanity problem. That is a big turnoff for me and many others.
America has a profanity problem. It doesn't belong to Tiger alone. And if you aren't used to the "F" word by now...
Tiger has a gutter mouth. I remember watching him with my daughter, who was about 7 at the time, and he hooked one into the ocean at Pebble Beach.
He said in a very loud and angry voice "God d****d F***ing Pr**k!" The TV guys blew it, and didn't cut his expletive. Afterwards he accused the TV network of being racist because they didn't cut the sound.
So at the time I remember thinking that if I can't watch a golf tournament with my 7 year old daughter, what can I watch? It took me years to forgive Tiger for that. And it's going to take me longer to respect him for not taking responsibility for his actions, and instead blaming someone else for persecuting him.
Golf is a gentleman's game. I'd watch a taped replay of a meaningless friendly round between Arnie and Jack long before I'd watch Tiger or nearly anyone else playing today, regardless of how much money was on the line. It's not about money for me. It's about tradition and gentlemanly conduct.
Tiger is a human being.
I've followed him several times at the US Open. I saw two of his very few boggies at Bethpage. I saw him do not so well this year at Winged Foot, though by the time I saw he he must have known that his chances to finish high up were slim. I've never seen/heard him do/say anything inappropriate. He brings honor to the game.
Plus I don't think he is very fond of the Slickster. Norman is quite different from what I've seen and read.
ML/NJ