Woods gets a scolding from Augusta head ahead of Masters
Source: Agencies |
April 9, 2010, Friday
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Tiger Woods was scolded by the head of Augusta National and heard the words of his late father in a television ad, lecturing on the virtues of responsibility, as he remained at the center of attention on Wednesday in the lead-up to the Masters.
Woods will play his first competitive round since that car crash changed everything, exposing a series of extramarital affairs. He couldn't have picked a bigger stage to start rebuilding his life - at least the part of it that involves a ball and club.
He'll be returning from one of the longest layoffs of his career when he plays at the Masters. It will be possibly the most scrutinized opening round in golf history. It will be a chance for Woods to show he's still an intimidating presence on the course, if not the same man off it.
"The fact that I haven't really played at all, that's a little bit concerning," Woods said early in the week. "I'm hoping I get my feel back quickly, my feel for the game, my feel for shots, feel more how my body is reacting and what my distances are going to be. Hopefully the first hole. But if not, please hope it's the second hole."
Woods had to endure another critical assessment of the double life he was leading, this time from one of golf's leading officials: Augusta National chairman Billy Payne.
"It is simply not the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here," Payne said on Wednesday in a surprisingly frank dressing-down of Woods at the annual state of the Masters news conference. "It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children."
Payne was among those watching Woods on Monday when he played before a gallery since being caught cheating on his wife.
"Is there a way forward? I hope yes." Payne said. "But certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change."
A few hours after Payne spoke, Nike released a stark, black-and-white TV ad that showed a solemn Woods, looking directly into the camera while the voice of his father is heard, speaking about taking responsibility.
"Did you learn anything?" says Earl Woods, who died in 2006.
"I hope," Payne said, "he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile."
Woods, the four-time Masters champion and No. 1 player in the world, won the Australian Masters on November 15 before his precipitous fall from grace. "He should do pretty good - he's coming off a win," Australian Robert Allenby cracked.
This tournament is all about Woods, and the chance to start anew. Payne certainly hopes he takes it.
"We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner, but this time, with a significant difference from the past," he said. "This year, it will not be just for him, but for all of us who believe in second chances."
(AP)
Woods will play his first competitive round since that car crash changed everything, exposing a series of extramarital affairs. He couldn't have picked a bigger stage to start rebuilding his life - at least the part of it that involves a ball and club.
He'll be returning from one of the longest layoffs of his career when he plays at the Masters. It will be possibly the most scrutinized opening round in golf history. It will be a chance for Woods to show he's still an intimidating presence on the course, if not the same man off it.
"The fact that I haven't really played at all, that's a little bit concerning," Woods said early in the week. "I'm hoping I get my feel back quickly, my feel for the game, my feel for shots, feel more how my body is reacting and what my distances are going to be. Hopefully the first hole. But if not, please hope it's the second hole."
Woods had to endure another critical assessment of the double life he was leading, this time from one of golf's leading officials: Augusta National chairman Billy Payne.
"It is simply not the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here," Payne said on Wednesday in a surprisingly frank dressing-down of Woods at the annual state of the Masters news conference. "It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children."
Payne was among those watching Woods on Monday when he played before a gallery since being caught cheating on his wife.
"Is there a way forward? I hope yes." Payne said. "But certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change."
A few hours after Payne spoke, Nike released a stark, black-and-white TV ad that showed a solemn Woods, looking directly into the camera while the voice of his father is heard, speaking about taking responsibility.
"Did you learn anything?" says Earl Woods, who died in 2006.
"I hope," Payne said, "he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile."
Woods, the four-time Masters champion and No. 1 player in the world, won the Australian Masters on November 15 before his precipitous fall from grace. "He should do pretty good - he's coming off a win," Australian Robert Allenby cracked.
This tournament is all about Woods, and the chance to start anew. Payne certainly hopes he takes it.
"We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner, but this time, with a significant difference from the past," he said. "This year, it will not be just for him, but for all of us who believe in second chances."
(AP)
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