"Not even Retief Goosen wants to watch 18 holes of Retief Goosen."

The amateur shrinks are chiming in with their evaluations of Tiger and some are better than others. Thanks to reader William for Jason Gay's WSJ column, "The Unsettling Sight of a Tiger Tamed," where he takes on the people who said he just had to get back to the golf course.

Just let him play golf, his defenders said. That's when you'll see the real Tiger. That's when the healing and absolution will begin. An opportunistic brigade of armchair therapists were quick to prescribe 18 holes—or perhaps, a 15th major—as a remedy for acute off-the-course trouble.

It was foolish medicine, more hair of the dog for a hangover. Who knew what Tiger Woods needed? Surely Mr. Woods didn't, not as he watched his pristine, sponsor-burnished reputation circle a very expensive drain.

We shouldn't have masked our selfishness. Mr. Woods's tabloid saga was tawdry and tedious; everyone longed to see him swing a club again. It was really fun to watch Mr. Woods play golf, and his stand-ins were likable but unglamorous. Not even Retief Goosen wants to watch 18 holes of Retief Goosen.

Then there's Jemele Hill, who joins the growing chorus advising Tiger to take the rest of the year off, apparently oblivious to the news that he's already committed to two (appearance fee paying) post Ryder Cup events.

And since Tiger can't fire himself, he is left with just one option: abandon the rest of the golf schedule before he loses whatever confidence remains. Tiger has been a consummate winner throughout his career, but sometimes losing -- especially if you aren't accustomed to it -- doesn't make people like Tiger toughen up. Sometimes it just makes them more aware of their own inadequacies.