Seldom do we come across people who capture the imagination of a sporting nation. The legend of Tiger Woods is old news. He has survived the humiliation of adultery, and multiple legal transgressions. He has survived four — yes four — back surgeries, and roared back as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
This is not about Mr. Woods the man. He has failed miserably in that category, on more than one occasion. What sets him apart, is his ability on the golf course. For those of us who live the frustration of golf, the magic of Tiger on the course is just that — simply magical.
This week, he galvanized a community, by his sheer presence. The energy has been electric. An ordinary tournament in Tampa, created sporting news headlines, and rang true at the cash register. Such is his presence. Such is the legend.
We must certainly not condone his behavior, off the course. On the course, however, we must admire the tenacious consistency that has made him a legend. We have a tendency to forgive our hero’s, their transgressions. We are all human. And we all live in glass houses.
The world was built on second chances. Tiger probably has nine lives. That’s the truth about big cats in the wild. Go get ‘em Tiger.
About Hemant Rustogi