Tiger was wrong. The rules are the rules. I am sure he regrets his choice he is a class act.
#1 - Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:53 PM EDTI don't disagree with the "rules" portion, I do disagree with a competitive comment that regrets that the "duel" had to be paced. For the general overall good of the sport, would it not have been better to have it out?
Neither player disparaged the tournement or PGA, they just stated opinions that a battle underway, that late in the tournement, should, perhaps, be given some lattitude.
Pay the fines and move on! Much more to come down the road.
Tiger was "wrong"?...for stating a fact and his opinon? Give me a break. This is the last group on championship Sunday on the 16th hole with a one stroke differential. Paddy is notoriously slow but to speed him up when he finally is within spitting distance of his first win this year? Of course the clock, and compounded by Tiger's 3rd shot, rattled him. Everyone knows the "clock" would upset Paddy more than the world's number one. Just a hunch, but I venture a guess that you also feel that the PGA was right in their decision to deny Casey Martin the opportunity to play golf because of the "unfair advantage" that a cart provides? One man on the planet who is good enough to play at the PGA level and is unable to walk...and they deny him his chance. Of course, the Supreme Court saw it differently.
So what, Tiger said his piece, and whether or not he was wrong, it doesn't really matter. He spoke, he got fined. He's over it. Everyone else should be, too.
was that in regulation time? common sense/rules says let them have their time.
#2 - Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:56 PM EDTMy guess is that he knew before he spoke he would be fined but respects Harrington so much he wanted to speak up for him anyway. But that fine's gonna hurt. He'll probably take it out of Mrs Woods' housekeeping money or something. Maybe a whip-round in the clubhouse will cover it so he's not short this week.
#3 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:08 AM EDTYes, technically the fine is legitimate, but I agree with Stephen Llewellyn absolutely!! Hahahahahahahahaha!! Go Tiger........
If the article is quoting exactly what was said and how much of it was said, I didn't read anything that desparaged the referee or the rules...he sounded like he was stating fact. When the article also quoted what Tiger said to Padraig after he sunk his putt, it also sounded like a conversation between players and not to the press so if anyone was reading lips then it wasn't their fault. On a side note, are referees fined for making bad calls or interering with the game in any way? Just curious.
#4 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:14 AM EDTThe official should consider that nobody is pushing the last group of Tiger and Padraig, so why rush up. The stakes are high and perhaps the official is late for dinner date or something. He should just officiate in the Europe tournament. Although rules are rules, it can be broken with exception. Where does the fines end up? Nobody knows. So, watch out for next tournament (PGA) and Tiger will crush them all.
#5 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:32 AM EDTClass he was sticking up for Paddy last group i think t.v . put the pressure on officials
#6 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:37 AM EDTI say the rule should never apply to the last group as they cannot hold up play. The only possible delay would be for the TV coverage.
There are rules and there is common sense.
I've had the same issue on a course where we were the 2nd group of the day. The first group of the day was a twosome. The ranger hassled us all day because our foursome fell behind. He actually asked us to quit after 9 holes!!! We finished our round in under 4 hours.
I've never played golf at that course since.....
#7 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:42 AM EDTI couldn't agree more. I too have been chased by rangers when my playing partner slowed up our round. When you're dealing with 90 deg. rules and cart path only on par 3s in 90 Deg.+ weather, some players just need more time. And, like you, I have never been back to this course either.
As for Tiger's comment..... It's just petty of the PGA, especially with them being the last group and that far along on the back nine to boot!
The PGA needs to loosen their collars a bit and take a deep breath before going over the deep end on something so petty as this. Tiger didn't disparage anyone.
I think the point being made that this is the last group, and they are not holding any other players play up, is critical in this discussion. If you have earned the right to be in the last group, and you are playing for the championship, putting them on a clock doesn't make much sense to me. The PGA is making a bad situation worse by this knee-jerk reaction. Way to go guys.
Tiger is a class guy as most Tour professionals. I struggle with censorship when comments like that may bring attention to needed rule changes. Maybe it wasn't the correct forum but it wasn't malicious or unprofessional either. In any industry an employee should be allowed to voice a concern w/o consequence especially if done in an appropriate manner. I personally didnt see anything in appropriate with Tiger's comments.
#8 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:46 AM EDTI agree totally with this comment, Steven. The rules specifically state "Unreasonably attack"... and I do not believe (even spoken if it were spoken in a "Bill Murray on SNL" snarky tone of voice) that the comment (as quoted) was unreasonable. It was an observation that it was a shame Paddy felt pressure and wasn't able to play up to his full talent. I also don't believe it was any form of attack. Tiger merely stated they were being timed and that impacted their concentration.
I don't see how that can be construed as an attack on the PGA or any individual - unless they're extremely hypersensitive and already insecure about something else.
NOT that I want anything to happen to Paddy... but what about his comment that he conceded he was rushed? Does that not count either? Or because he added on that it wouldn't be fair to give them more time, that made it ok?
Tiger is my Idol @ with a lot of class; yes He should be fine. Why because he's classy. I bet no one else whould have stood up for him like he did for Harrington. And that is classy, had to show the world he don't only play golf He's also human. Pay it Tiger , you will get it back later this week.
#9 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:57 AM EDTHe didn't speak to the MEDIA, as the rules say, he spoke privately to his opponent. Ridiculous to fine him for this!
#10 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:02 AM EDTAs past-president of Bklyn, NY Chapter of VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, there is Freedom of Speech being exercised by Tiger Woods. Enough Said!
#11 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:02 AM EDTIsn't freedom of speech BEST when utilized in the context of the agreed upon contract?
Enough Said!
hey, Joeyg...I agree...except no three wood by Tiger...he's too good...let me hit it...I take a bigger divot!
#12 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:07 AM EDTYes he should be fined, but this should not have happened, the reason that they were on top is that they up to this point had made no rash decisions! This made no sense to rush them and you can see the results of it. There must be a beter way!
#13 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:15 AM EDTIf I was Tiger, I might say, "OK, go ahead and fine me...I'll skip the next six tournaments...how much will that cost you...and your TV contracts...and your advertisers...and your ticket sales?" I'm not a big Tiger fan...I know, boo...but if the PGA wants to throw their weight around, why shouldn't he? I love golf, but I think the PGA and especially the USGA are a bunch of elitist snobs. It's time someone put them in their place.
#14 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:15 AM EDTRules are rules... bah. C'mon, let's read the rule again.
"It is an obligation of membership to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage tournaments, sponsors, fellow members, players, or PGA Tour."
Two key points to ask here. Did he unresonably attack? Ummm I really fail to see any attack at all in that comment. Someone with an opposing view, please enlighten me as to how that statement was attacking.
Other key point, it also says
or disparage
. I do not see how that belittles him or was said in any disrespecting way.
Comment one more time I'm sorry that John got in the way of a great battle. So basically Tiger is sorry because he felt John's decision was what caused Padraig to make mistakes. This statement says nothing of the decision being good, bad, or indifferent. And it certainly says nothing about John's character.
PGA is starting to sound a little more snobbish to me. Go ahead, fine me.
#15 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:16 AM EDTI totally agree with you statements and unfortunately the PGA is taking this very badly. The rules of the PGA should never override the US Constitution. No membership in any organization should be allowed to prevent the voicing of an Americans right to speech. We fought too long and too many lives have been lost for the protection of these rights. Every American should stand up for there rights and in this respect I support Tiger Woods.
Isn't freedom of speech BEST when utilized in the context of the agreed upon contract?
Enough Said!
Although big business uses contracts to censor it's "people" The Constitution is the PRIMARY contract where issues of freedom of speech is concerned!! In this particular context you have no takers here rick-1120852.
Class act to speak up for Paddi. Moronic rule especially for a final pairing. You don't hear Football or Basketball games being on a clock. Everyone makes more money when the game last longer, the sport and the television station. I would bet we see some changes to that policy made by the same idiots who said that mistakingly hitting yourself with the ball is a two stroke penalty or having to sign another players scorecard.
#16 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:24 AM EDTI see nothing dispariging in Tiger's remarks. He did not say the official was wrong. PGA loses any respect they have earned. It's really petty of them.
#17 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:25 AM EDTI agree Tiger didn't say anything deserving of a fine. Paddy is the class act as he accepts that the rules apply to everyone... I say let'em play! No sports fan wants to see the outcome determined by the officials. It happens too often.
#18 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:27 AM EDTRoger Thacker - you say Tiger is not better than anyone else? Tiger is better than EVERYONE else... By a long shot, a short shot, a putt! He is Golf! He is the PGA! They should've let'em play regardless of tv time. The PGA better give that money to charity!!
#19 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:34 AM EDTLook at why other athletes have been fined : hitting officials, hitting opponents, out of control behavior, etc. Are you kidding me? The conversation seemed more between Paddy and Tiger.. was Tiger screaming vulgar statements? No. Out of control, rude behavior, No. "How bizarre - How bizarre.."
#20 - Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:39 AM EDTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
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The PGA has acted STUPIDLY! Oops, my bad!