Tiger Woods can win the Accenture Match Play, says Ewen Murray, but only if he quells the anger within.
Tiger's career remains at a crossroads, says Ewen
I've had better weeks I can assure you.
I would first of all like to thank you for your comments following last week's column and as I would expect, the vast majority thought the behaviour of Tiger Woods in Dubai was below the level we would expect of such a revered sportsman.
Spitting is undesirable although sometimes it is necessary during a cold or virus and when that occurs, it's done in privacy or with the use of a handkerchief or tissue.
The act of Woods releasing phlegm only follows a bad shot, hole or bounce. It is therefore petulance.
Golf is not like football or rugby where players fill and extend their lungs and sinuses. Quite simply, spitting is not necessary on a golf course.
I agree with many of you that Tiger is not the only culprit and the only good thing to come out of this is the hope that it is something that ceases to happen, but again I stress, for some it's a habit, and a poor one; his is part of an act that is harmful to youngsters who idolize him.
Behaviour
I've said many times that this column is here for you to voice your opinions and you certainly did that, although I was surprised how many thought his Dubai behaviour was "no big deal".
James Bromley thought it was blown out of all proportion and agreed with Tiger not signing autographs. Jessie Walters thought it was a mountain out of a molehill and went on to say Tiger sets the standards on and off the course. Mike Greaves said it was a witch hunt and said no one had mentioned it before. Ken Mills and Jamie Wardle agreed. Gentlemen, that is far from the truth.
James Martin said it happens because Woods has an allergy, Ian Smythe thought his behaviour was normal, while Keith Dave thought spitting was fine and it was pompous to make the comments I made.
"That's as low as it gets" was considered by James MacNamara who reckoned that condemnation should be reserved for criminals, while Peter Drakes did not think his letter would be printed. Peter, it was and you thought it was OK because Tiger wiped "it" with his putter.
Deering Roberts said I was silly to have passed comment on what he thought was nothing. Simon Rourke wanted to know where you all play so he can avoid playing there. Simon was one of many who were appalled by the antics of Woods, and not just the spitting, in Dubai.
Unacceptable
The reply that caught my attention was the one who came from the father of two young boys, six and eight, who were watching at home at 11 'o clock last Sunday morning.
Before Tiger reached the next tee, an email had landed at the headquarters of the European Tour venting his anger at his kids having to witness what they did and no doubt having to explain to them that the act was totally unacceptable.
Jeffery Klepke thought I had kicked Woods while he was down. If he hadn't behaved the way he did Jeffery, there would not have been a discussion, and anyone else doing what Tiger did would have been met with the same disgust by the majority.
Sam Lewis, Carl Connerty and Bill Leonard said Sergio did the same at Doral in 2007 and nobody said anything. Wrong. Sergio was fined and warned about his future conduct as was Tiger Woods, so we move on.
Out of every cloud comes a silver lining and hopefully that will be the case here. I think we have all had our say on what were certainly regrettable incidents in the desert.
Career
I much prefer talking about the career of Tiger and it seems he is at the crossroads of that.
Can he win the Accenture this week or the Masters next month? Of course he can, but until the anger that is inside him subsides, he will not produce his best golf.
Much is talked about his swing technique today as it was when he changed coaches from Butch Harmon to Hank Haney. Woods has an inner strength second to none as we have seen over the past 15 years. He has the ability to change and make it work and I would back him to do the same with new coach, Sean Foley.
He is still recovering from his 'transgressions' which I honestly have no interest in. But of course there is some scar tissue. His life has been turned upside down and it will take time to recover.
Harmon and Haney have helped thousands of golfers to improve and Sean will do the same in what I'm sure will be an impressive coaching career, but even with their combined considerable talents they would struggle to help him just now; only Tiger can set the ball rolling again.
Only he can repair whatever damage is done. Four fluffed pitches and two thinned ones in Dubai is not the Woods we know and they did not happen because of technique, they happened because the inner calmness is missing.
The sooner Tiger extinguishes the anger, the annoyance and anxiety, the sooner he will once again become the player that has taken our sport to the level we enjoy today.
Courteous
Mick Downes recognized the fall in standards of Woods noting that he was mannerly and courteous just a few years back. He was exactly that Mick and if he can find that person, Tiger Woods will have a good chance to once again be the golfer we all know he is. I wish him well.
Wednesday of this week sees one of the most exciting days in the golfing calendar. At Dove Mountain Golf Club just outside Tucson, the top 64 players in the world go head to head in the Accenture Match Play. It's a day where golfing reputations are cheap and the only thing we can be sure of is the fact their will be shocks.
The PGA Tour has finally relented and will play the semi-finals and Final on Sunday rather than a 36-hole final. This is a good move for everyone and I'm sure it will be a resounding success.
Not long to go now. The evenings are brighter and the grass will soon be growing. The first major is just six weeks away. My thanks again for your comments; enjoy the match play.
