Golfer Tiger Woods is one of the best-known sports figures in the world. He has won a billion dollars in prizes and endorsements.
But life is more than fame and fortune. In an embarrassing public appearance, he admitted that his life has been in the rough. It will take more than a penalty point for him to get back into life’s fairway.
Many admire celebrities. Some, unfortunately, like to see them fall. We shouldn’t. We should hope for redemption and forgiveness.
There was a peculiar traffic accident Nov. 27 in the driveway of Tiger’s home. It triggered unanswered questions, now followed by shame and shocking admissions.
In a tightly controlled appearance at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Friday, Tiger said he had failed many who admired him: “I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable.”
He said he is dropping out of the professional golf tour indefinitely, but “I do plan to return to golf one day. I just don’t know when that day will be. I don’t rule out it will be this year.”
He simultaneously was pathetic and angry.
He amazingly has won 71 Professional Golf Association tournaments, 14 majors. He has won untold dollars in advertising endorsements. But he recently spent 45 days in “therapy.” He said he will return to treatment for his personal problems.
His fame and wealth are not very important to him today. Who would really want to change places with him?
Americans like winners. Tiger won at golf. Now many will be pulling for Tiger to become a winner in something more important — his life.