After three days, the U.S. Open’s biggest story was about who didn’t make the cut.
Did anyone else find it perplexing that so many commentators spent the week leading up to golf’s biggest stage preparing for a heartwarming story?
The final day of the U.S. Open is played on Father’s Day. Ever since Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, died in May, golf commentators and others wrote and talked about what a “great story” it would be if Tiger won one of the game’s biggest tournaments.
Around the Horn’s Jay Mariotti used those exact words.
Somehow, I think there’s something missing here. Woods lost his dad and hadn’t played in nine weeks. His father taught him the game, and was there for a number of his big moments. All of Tiger’s wins are due, in part, to his father.
I’m troubled by terms like “great story” because it underscores what matters. Winning a golf tournament will not bring Earl Woods back. So what is so great about this story? Why is it important, especially in light of the tragedy Tiger’s been through? I’m sure Tiger wanted to win, but I doubt it would take away from his grief.
Some analysts, such as NBC’s Roger Maltbie predicted Woods would use his father’s death for motivation to win.
“He didn't quit being the best golfer in the world just because his father passed away,'' Maltbie said in a Mercury News article by Mark Purdy before the tournament started. “I think the way Tiger is made up mentally, he'll use his father's passing as a motivational tool.”
I doubt Mariotti, Maltbie, and others meant to come across as insensitive. It’s just sometimes sports analysts look for storybook endings, and in doing so, put too much weight on the value of sports.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
I'm watching it right now and they just showed a Nike ad that was all home video and photos of Earl Woods and Tiger. Some will say this was being exploitive.
What's up with the pink golf bag of Ian Poulter?
2 - Jared
After he missed the cut, it's easy to look at the story in this sort of way. Had Tiger won this tournament though, it would have been an amazingly uplifting piece of news.
3 - Joey
The media missed. The PR blitz, the "machine" is all about payday. Can you fault the mode?
Somewhat.
Given the nature of the biz... exploitation for the buck is the norm, the rule, and hardly the exception.
4 - Ddavis
at the risk of being cold hearted in light of Tigers pain.I know in my profession after nine weeks I can no longer use a death as a crutch.We all have lost someone dear in our lives but we all move on.Look at Appleby and others who have lost the loved ones we didn't heard much about them.I'm sorry for his loss . I am a big Tiger fan so lets move on T and win.