By now, you probably heard about the subject of my previous post. The Wounded Tiger and his exciting W at the Open this last weekend has become even more impressive with new light on his "injury". I'll admit, i was a bit skeptical as to exactly how much of that was show...boy was i wrong! In case you live under a rock concerning the wide world of sports...let me prop up the stone a bit.
Again, we who dwell here in The Kingdom are Tiger fans...although i was ardently entrenched in Rocco's corner this past weekend, i was the only one. I just wanted to see someone stare down the Tiger for once, especially a guy like Rocco, a guy we can all identify with, a good guy, slightly overweight, a nonsuperstar. Certainly not saying that Tiger is "the bad guy" in any sense, but, well you know...he wins...ALOT. But now...just...wow! I mean Eldrick gets an "UNFREAKINGBELIEVABLE!!!" from me for that gritty performance.
Not only did he play five complete rounds + 1 extra sudden death hole in 5 days, against a field of not just good, but great players, he did it all with a torn ACL....AND...a DOUBLE stress FRACTURE on his left tibia!!!! So that #2 hole where he started to walk off the tee box on Saturday and bent over in pain...yeah, that wasn't just a "oh-i-shanked-that-one-cuz-i'm-hurt-please-feel-sorry-for-me" wince, that was more of a "#&^$#%(@&^$#*&^% THAT FREAKING HURT, should i really be doing this?" for real grimace.
With that kind of injury in mind, and being somewhat of a golfer myself. With the knowlege of how much the force is exerted on the knees and tibia during every swing, Tiger's status elevated in my eyes in relative proportion to what happened the day the Grinch heard the Who's singing without any presents that fateful day.
I knew the dude was great, i knew the dude could play, but never, ever did i imagine that the brother could gut it out and still lay the Wood to the rest of the field of players like he did this past weekend.
I can honestly say by that single performance, he has gained a lifetime fan. I'm not saying i'm setting up a shrine or anything, but to me...in this age of prima donna pro athletes in every facet of sports, its so good to see a guy worth billions doing what he loves to do when others pack it in, because of a headache. Seriously, i'm putting him up there with guys like Lou Gherig, Cal Ripken Jr., Walter Peyton, Brett Favre...need i go on?
I've never said this, because until now i've never been completely convinced of it, but i'll say it now without hesitation...
Eldrick Tiger Woods is the best golfer ever to play the game...and may be the best i will ever see in my lifetime...beyond Jack, beyond Arnie, Hogan, and Sneed. I think it will be a sad day indeed when the Reign of the Tiger ends, but now in its zenith it sure is fun to watch...and i will every chance i get.
2 comments:
Wow...you almost make me want to watch some golf.
I can't relate to your enjoyment of the game...but I like your Grinch comparison.
...in this age of prima donna pro athletes in every facet of sports... when others pack it in, because of a headache. Seriously, i'm putting him up there with guys like Lou Gherig, Cal Ripken Jr., Walter Peyton, Brett Favre...need i go on?
Yep, you DO need to go on: Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, and just about any six players you care to name in this year's Stanley Cup Final. Case in point: Ryan Malone. The guy takes a slap shot to the face in the second period, goes into the locker room for repairs (six stitches and God knows what else), and is back on the ice for the third period.
"It happened before when I broke my jaw during the lockout. I was thankful that it hit me in the nose (this time). I already had my nose broken from the (Niklas) Kronwall hit (in Game 1).
"It wasn't too bad. It just kind of split me open a little bit, chipped some teeth. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I can breathe. I'll be all right."
Happens all the time. I'm not taking anything away from Tiger, but NO ONE in sports has bigger ones than hockey players. Period.
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