Tiger's Been Spotted Clippings, Vol. 5
/Tim Dahlberg of AP tackles the question of what sex rehab means for Tiger, talking to Maureen Canning of The Meadows in Arizona.
''Most sex addicts are extremely lonely emotionally,'' Canning said. ''They look really good. They're intelligent, bright and personable. But emotionally, they're lonely because they don't know how to feel feelings or allow anyone close. They confuse the intensity of sex with that of intimacy.''
Canning says the best part of her job is helping a patient sift through his or her life to find the underlying reasons behind the addiction. For almost all, she says, there was a traumatic incident in childhood, anything from being spanked to more extreme things.
Often, it has something to do with the parent of the opposite sex.
Oh right, it's all Tida's fault!
Linda Shrieves in the Orlando Sentinel (thanks reader Tom) asks various experts whether they believe sex addiction is a real thing.
Grieco says that athletes are surrounded by — and tempted by — women, just the way doctors are surrounded by and tempted by prescription drugs. "These opportunities challenge our human frailties," he said. "We're all weak; some of us have stronger boundaries. But for younger males, who have high levels of success and opportunity, it's a gauntlet out there."
Making matters worse: Research shows that testosterone is linked to success and failure. Men who are told they're great have higher testosterone levels than men who've been chewed out by the boss.
That's not to say that a man can't say no. "Testosterone doesn't make anybody do anything," Grieco said. "But it primes the pump. It's a heady mixture of hormones and success."
Garry Smits sat through a Jim Furyk clinic and while Furyk thinks Tiger will be back by the Masters, he also believes the "reaction of fellow players is going to involve 'mixed feelings.'"
“There will be people who probably won’t be as friendly and people who are,” Furyk said. “Tiger probably understands that and realizes that the people who he considers his friends will pat him on the back and encourage him. It’s been a real life-changing experience. I’m sure you’ve seen it with friends and I’ve seen it with friends. Some people take sides. He probably expects some people to be pretty cold about it and some will support him and give him encouragement.”
Good news for Tiger, Kenny Perry won't be one of the less friendly ones. Bad news for Tiger? Kenny Perry won't be one of the less friendly ones.
“I am going to give him a hug and shake his hand,” Perry said Wednesday as he prepared for the start of the Qatar Masters, the American’s first appearance in a European Tour event.
Woods has been away from the game since his Nov. 27 car crash in Florida and subsequent revelations of marital infidelity. He has still not said when he will return to the PGA Tour.
“I am going to tell him that if he needs to talk to me in any way I will,” Perry said. “That’s the way I think we all should be. I am sure he’s had a lot of phone calls and a lot of people trying to get near him, but when he decides to come back I am going to approach him.”
Maybe Hattiesburg isn't looking so bad after all?
Michael Buteau and Doris Bloodsworth report from the PGA Show that Nike is distancing itself from Tiger, whose image printed on a piece of paper is actually treated the same as the living, breathing Tiger.
Nike Inc.’s outdoor booth at the event’s annual Demo Day features only one photo of Woods, located near an apparel display inside the company’s tent. The area is only accessible to media and those with invitations.
Outside of the booth at the Orange County National Golf Center’s 42-acre driving range, in an area open to the public, are photos of Nike-sponsored golfers Justin Leonard and Suzann Pettersen alongside versions of the company’s newest clubs.
“Tiger has said he’s going to be out of golf indefinitely so obviously we’re not going to ask him to be part of any marketing right now,” Cindy Davis, chief executive officer of Nike’s golf division, said in a telephone interview. “He’s not playing, so it makes sense to not feature him.”
Adam Fusfeld reports that Bloomberg and BusinessWeek have put Tiger atop their list of most powerful athletes. Guess we know when they closed on that issue.
Punters like the odds of Tiger returning for the Masters, so William Hill has cut the odds to 1-4 from 4-6. I love what they are using to gauge the change according to spokesman Rupert Adams:
"Within the British press there's a suggestion that Elin has been to see him for a week. Apparently they are getting along quite well, or rather better," Adams said. "Therefore, obviously if on the private side things start perking up, then what better rehabilitation to him than getting on the golf course."
Tod Leonard shared many interesting comments from golf media members Mick Elliott, Steve DiMeglio and Steve Elling about Tiger coverage and the future of Tiger's media relations.
One of the primary curiosities for reporters is what Woods’ demeanor will be when he returns.
“I’m afraid his guard is going to be up more than ever,” Elliott said. “I think he’s going to go to the lowest common denominator and lump us all in the same media bucket as the celebrity Web sites and tabloids. We’ll never see anything but the plastic Tiger.
“There were times on occasion when you’d see the real human being. I think it will now be, ‘Just talk to the hand.’ I hope not.
Phil Mickelson wisely gave a non-answer when asked about the media coverage, as Billy Witz reports for the New York Times.
Mickelson’s gift of charm and his ability to finesse his way around a question have clearly not been dulled. Asked if he had called or sent text messages to Woods, Mickelson said he had limited communication with the Woods family. Pressed if he had contact with Tiger, Mickelson said, “With the family, not necessarily saying with who in the family.”
Asked for his reaction to the news media coverage of Woods, Mickelson turned the tables on the questioner.
“That’s what you guys do for a living,” he said. “How do you feel it was covered? I don’t know.”
Stephanie Wei looks at the catfight over Tiger breaking out between...Joy Behar and Kirstie Alley.
And finally, Tom Watson talks to Kansas City's KSHB about Hawaii last weekend, grooves and eventually, Tiger Woods. If you want to see the condensed version and his pointed remarks aimed at Tiger's on-course swearing and club throwing, there's a shorter version of the clip here. If you want a good giggle, the 24 minute version is here. At about minute 19 he talks Tiger, but before that he shares how he's always wanted to visit Dubai to see what it is they are doing to prepare for the post-oil boom economy.
