Tiger Woods Statement Transcript
February 19th, 2010
Good morning, and thank you for joining me. Many of you in this room are my friends. Many of you in this room know me. Many of you have cheered for me or you’ve worked with me or you’ve supported me.
Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.
I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say.
Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.
I am also aware of the pain my behavior has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally. My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners.
To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever. Thirteen years ago, my dad and I envisioned helping young people achieve their dreams through education. This work remains unchanged and will continue to grow. From the Learning Center students in Southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington, D.C., millions of kids have changed their lives, and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.
But still, I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position.
For all that I have done, I am so sorry.
I have a lot to atone for, but there is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame.
The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame.
I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn’t have to go far to find them.
I was wrong. I was foolish. I don’t get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife’s family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me.
I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’ve done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It’s now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I’ve made. It’s up to me to start living a life of integrity.
I once heard, and I believe it’s true, it’s not what you achieve in life that matters; it’s what you overcome. Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.
Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry.
It’s hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I’m facing. I have a long way to go. But I’ve taken my first steps in the right direction.
As I proceed, I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants to ask me for the details and the times I was unfaithful. I understand people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together. Please know that as far as I’m concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me. These are issues between a husband and a wife.
Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false. Some have written things about my family. Despite the damage I have done, I still believe it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight. They did not do these things; I did.
I have always tried to maintain a private space for my wife and children. They have been kept separate from my sponsors, my commercial endorsements. When my children were born, we only released photographs so that the paparazzi could not chase them. However, my behavior doesn’t make it right for the media to follow my two and a half year old daughter to school and report the school’s location. They staked out my wife and they pursued my mom. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.
I recognize I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That’s where my focus will be.
I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught.
As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I’ve learned that’s how people really do change. Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy. I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I’m making these remarks today.
In therapy I’ve learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things that are most important to me, my marriage and my children.
That also means relying on others for help. I’ve learned to seek support from my peers in therapy, and I hope someday to return that support to others who are seeking help. I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don’t know when that day will be.
I don’t rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game. In recent weeks I have received many thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from people expressing good wishes. To everyone who has reached out to me and my family, thank you. Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me.
I want to thank the PGA TOUR, Commissioner Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course.
Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again.
Thank you.
Tags: eastern golf tv, PGA TOUR, Tiger Woods
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2010 Twitter Open Goes To Speed Raser
February 7th, 2010
Social media meets competitive golf in Orlando, Florida. LPGA star and US Solhiem Cup team member Christina Kim took on Egolf Tour golfer John Raser in a match where the loser would loop for the winner out on tour this year.
What started as a challenge by John Raser to Christina two weeks ago at the PGA Merchandise show quickly took on a life of its own. They broadcast the event live via U-Stream and twitter updates throughout the round from their I-Phones. It was a relaxed, up close look at two new friends trying to beat each other in front of their virtual followers.
I tuned in to check it out and soon became enthralled and couldn’t walk away. They had poll questions for viewers to vote on during the round and interacted constantly with their followers. From the following it received I would not be surprised to see a rematch broadcast live over the internet.
John Raser, who is an accomplished player in his own right, played for both TCU and The University of Alabama, took an early 4 up lead. By the time they finished the front side Christina Kim drew upon her Solhiem Cup experience and squared the match. The golf was great but the interaction with fans was truly a refreshing thing to be a part of.
All square coming into 18, they both banged drives into the sugar and decided to poll the followers to see if they should re-tee. With an overwhelming response they teed it up again and by the time the last putt fell the upstart John Raser claimed victory in the inaugural Twitter Open.
What a boost, for the up and coming mini tour player, John Raser. John will be chronicling his chase for a PGA Tour card this year on his website and blog www.gospeedraser.com. The fact that he is a 26 year old player with many accolades is testament to how hard it is to make the PGA Tour. The life of a mini tour player on the Egolf Tour is not Ritz Carlton’s and courtesy cars but long drives in the car from tournament to tournament and hopping over to a Monday qualifier for a chance to get into a Nationwide or PGA Tour event.
To the spoils go the victor, they say and John will have a seasoned veteran of the LPGA on his bag for one tournament this year out on the Egolf Tour. How refreshing it will be for Christina Kim to see how the other half lives with a spattering of fans in the gallery and IHOP for breakfast when they depart the Motel 6.
I hope a trend has started for true champions of the game to share their passion with others who are trying to make their way up the rungs of the Professional golf ladder.
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf courses, PGA TOUR, Twitter
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Pavin Announces 2010 US Ryder Cup Assistants
February 3rd, 2010
U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin announced his Co-Captains who will be leaned upon to mold the US team as they prepare for the 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales at Celtic Manor. Captain Pavin was as relaxed as one could be with his 2 yr. old daughter, Alexis, on his lap with her USA teddy bear named “Ryder” as he read off the names.
First, he credited the true assistant of any Ryder Cup Captain, his wife Lisa, dubbed the Captainess. She has been by his side since the announcement if his captaincy and carries the Twitter handle @RC_Captainess and tweets often of their work together.
Pavin chose to go with a 4 man team of Co-Captains in an effort to have full coverage of the Friday & Saturday matches so each match will be accompanied by a Co-Captain.
Tom Lehman- 2006 US Ryder Cup Captain, member of 3 Ryder Cup teams and a major championship winner.
Jeff Sluman- 3 time Assistant Captain to Jack Nicklaus in the Presidents Cup and a PGA Championship winner.
Davis Love- 6 time Ryder Cup team member, PGA Championship winner and a sure to be future Ryder Cup Captain.
Paul Goydos- Multiple PGA Tour winner and PGA Tour journeyman who will be relied upon to give clear and unfiltered opinion.
A diverse group of guys each with their own strengths and talents. It is early in the process to identify a team but Pavin has assembled a quality group of assistants that will no doubt lend experience, intellect, a keen eye to what is going on weekly on tour and above all each respected by the players at large.
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf courses, PGA TOUR, ryder cup
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The Glorious West Coast Swing
January 26th, 2010
The PGA Tour west coast swing is a walk down memory lane for golf fans. The venues the PGA Tour visits are some of the most nostalgic on tour for either their history and their deep roots to all things California.
From the deeps ties to Hollywood of yesteryear with images of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and the hallowed stars that banged it around at Riviera CC it is rich in history. The old black and white images I recall of Bing Crosby’s Clam Bake and Bob Hope teeing it up with the likes of Jackie Gleason, Frank Sinatra, Gerald Ford and more recently Alice Cooper, Bill Clinton and George Bush #41. It is iconic in nature and so right in so many ways to be part of the fabric of the PGA Tour.
Riviera CC is in a class of its own, with a membership of the who’s who of Hollywood. Located just a block off of Sunset Blvd, nestled beneath the Santa Monica mountains, it’s a classic gem. Opened in 1926 and designed by George C. Thompson, Jr., with the helpful eyes of Allister MacKenzie, who both gave us so many priceless gems that have stood the test of time! Riviera CC has hosted major championships, gave us the first glimpse of the skinny kid from Los Angeles, Tiger Woods, who would come to take the world of golf to heights never imagined and was dubbed “Hogan’s Alley” in the 1940’s when Ben won three times and carded another second.
Riviera has the ghost’s of past like Yankee Stadium has Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig and a guy named Yogi. Its list of notable members of years gone reads like an old Variety with Humphrey Bogart, Glen Campbell, Vic Damone, Peter Falk, Jack Ging, Dean Martin, Gregory Peck, Walt Disney, Hal Roach, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford.
Torrey Pines, which hosts this weeks PGA Tour stop, is the “new” kid on the block among the swings legends but is the polar opposite of a Riviera or Pebble Beach for it is a public track that is the play ground for San Diego residents on a Saturday morning. Not to be thought of as an after though after all it has hosted a US Open, which will go down ROCKY 7 where a man named Rocco took on a Tiger. Kids by the name of Phil and Tiger and long toothed Walrus, who protected his checkered pants with a towel to tackle the beast, later to find out its just better to get dirty.
Then there is a majestic place called Pebble Beach. A place so beautiful that if Jack Nicklaus were left with only one round left to play in life he would choose to put his last peg in the ground here on the Monterrey Peninsula. Pebble has its views, the pounding Pacific Ocean and a Tap Room that if it could speak would keep us enthralled with its stories of Bing Crosby and his friends slamming back a few high balls.
These fairways have produced enough golf history that I would need to write a book to get it all in but let me mention a few in passing. Tom Watson’s chip in on 17 to win the US Open, Tiger Woods incredible -20 in the 2000 US Open, the relentless pursuit of making a Pro-Am by Jack Lemmon (too bad it never came to pass), Mark O’Meara’s 5 Pro-Am wins, the site of Johnny Miller’s last PGA Tour victory was only fitting for the Northern California native and Slamming Sammy Snead’s back to back wins to start the whole process back in 1937 & 1938.
All of these hallowed grounds can be yours for a price and maybe a huge favor cashed in for Riviera but its doable. Save up some coin, get the perfect foursome and have at it! They are there for the taking so put them on our bucket list as I know they are on mine.
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Tags: Ben Hogan, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Pebble Beach, PGA TOUR, Riviera CC, Sam Snead, Torrey Pines
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Happy 70th Birthday Golden Bear
January 19th, 2010
January 21, 1940 was probably just like any other day in Columbus, OH with another routine baby delivery for the small town doctor. Little did that doctor know at the time, he was handing over the future Golden Bear to new parents Helen & Charlie Nicklaus.
Jackie William Nicklaus grew up into a great athlete that played football, baseball, basketball and golf as a youngster. By the time he was 8 years old, he followed his dad’s lead and took up the game of golf. I am certain that the first day he gripped a club and struck a ball both heaven and earth smiled.
Jack Nicklaus, as we all know, is and will always be the greatest golfer in the game since a young Bobby Jones put golf on the map in America. He did it by winning on every stage from 5 Ohio State Junior Championships, 2 US Amateur Championships, winning 74 PGA Tour events, 4 US Open Championships, 5 PGA Championships, 3 British Open Titles and 6 Masters Titles. He then took all the Senior accolades by winning its major championships and continues to do so as recently as this very weekend winning the 2010 Champions Tour Skins game with partner Tom Watson.
For me Jack Nicklaus represents class and a relentless persuit for winning. He has not only owned the title of the greatest on the course but also one of the greatest golf course architects of modern day. From his first design collarboration with Pete Dye on Harbor Town in Hilton Head, SC to his solo design career he has again taken the lead as one of the best at what wraps his hands around.
Jack is cut from a mold that isn’t often seen today. Every time I have seen him in person on the golf course he makes eye contact with you as if he remebers you from the last time you saw him and we know deep down he doesn’t but you walk away feeling like he does. He has a gift to make you feel apart of his legacy and like Arnold Palmer gives back to the game in a special way by connecting with you as a fan.
Every year when I go to Augusta for the Masters I seek him out and follow him as I would a friend who comes to town. His legendary record is one that nobody has surpassed and I know, if and when it happens he will be humble in his admiration for the man that does.
When he slipped on his last green jacket in 1986 it was again another amazing feat for a 46 year old that most thought was beyond his prime. The fact that it he is 24 years removed from his major championship run there is a piece of all of us that wishes to see him do it one more time.
Today he turns 70 years old and I not only want to wish the legend a very happy birthday but I want to say thank you for all that he has done and stands for. The athlete of today is so often looked up to by young kids as a role model only to be dissapointed by a transgration or two, that leaves us with doubt, but Jack Nicklaus is and will always be the standard and high water mark for all.
Happy Birthday Golden Bear and thanks for what you do!
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Tags: eastern golf tv, Jack Nicklaus, PGA TOUR
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ROMO ADVANCES TO SECTIONALS
May 21, 2010 ROMO ADVANCES TO SECTIONALS
Kudos to Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo for advancing to the sectional round of the U.S. Open. His chances of making it past the 36-hole sectional are slim, but let’s not diminish what is already a significant achievement. The odds are stacked against you in a U.S. Open Qualifier with very few spots available to a large number of players. Romo shot a 2-under 69 and then grabbed the final spot from his local qualifier by winning a playoff.
It’s pretty amazing for a guy to be good enough to play quarterback for one of the marquee franchises in the NFL and play well enough to be one step away from a berth in the U.S. Open.
I’m rooting for Romo to grab one of the 90 spots given to sectional qualifiers at Pebble Beach.
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf, PGA TOUR, us open, usga
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MATCH PLAY VS. STROKE PLAY
May 15, 2010 MATCH PLAY VS. STROKE PLAY
Put me squarely in the match play corner. I don’t care if it’s head to head or teams, I prefer match play competition over stroke play. Maybe that’s because I am prone to a blowup hole or two during a round! The occasional triple bogey counts as only one loss in match play. A triple or worse can ruin an entire front nine. Stroke play is a great test of your game and consistency but in a friendly competition with some friends, it’s not as fun. Match play encourages bolder, riskier shots that lead to more unforgettable shots, both good and bad. If you’re used to playing stroke play all the time, try match play once in awhile and see what you think.
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf, golf courses, PGA TOUR
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Young Star Joins the Tour Full-Time
Great News for the PGA Tour as Rory McIlroy has decided to join full time with hopes of moving up in the world ranking.
This 20-year-old from Northern Ireland, said Wednesday at the Hong Kong Open that he will be competing against stronger fields in the United States, which should make him a better golfer. No question about it… it will make the PGA Tour better.
He already is No. 17 in the world, despite turning pro only two years ago.
McIlroy made in the cut in all four majors this year, tying for third at the PGA Championship in August. As a PGA Tour member, he will have to play 15 times next year, although that includes the majors and World Golf Championships.
Tags: golf, golf courses, golf world rankings, PGA TOUR, rory mcIlory
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At The Hands Of A Master
February 6th, 2010
A perfect afternoon on the golf course is always made ten times better with good company and a great cigar. Cigar’s and par’s seem to have that quintessential marriage like peanut butter & jelly, beer and pizza or a fabulous aged Bone-In-Rib Eye accompanied by a 1999 Alexander Valley Silver Oak.
What is often over looked, is the process that goes into a great cigar. Sure, you have to have the finest tobbacco and your personal favorite be it a robusto or a churchill, but the quality in any cigar is judged by its roll. What you think is a great cigar when you leave the humidor at the local cigar shop can quickly become a downer when you light up and fight the draw, it doesn’t burn evenly or it unravels after a few minutes.
I had the distinct pleasure to watch Master Cigar Roller, Leo “Pope” Peraza, work his magic right in front of me. A new respect was given to what we avid cigar smokers often over look, the process of a Master Roller.
“Pope” wielded his knife like a surgeon, effortlessly shaping the tobacco leaf into the exact portion for his task. The “master” made it look like an artful dance as he rolled, the whole time carrying on a full conversation, in Spanish, with a friend and he barley even looked down.
His hand are his tools and with fingers the size of vienna sausauges he worked them like a concert pianist performing at Carnegie Hall. I found myself mezmorized at his skill and the care in which he handled the cigar as it took on its lovely form. To be honest with you, I think I drooled on my shirt a little.
Leo has been doing this for over 50 years and is renowned for his skill and has been written about in Cigar Aficionado and often is at their live events. To watch him was a treat and the payoff was even better when he handed me his masterpiece.
As an avid cigar smoker I have my favorites and just walk in to the local tobacconist and get my cigars. Now, I will be asking if any new brands are hand rolled because I for one, will never touch a machine rolled stogie after seeing what goes into a hand rolled cigar.
If you ever have the chance to see this in person it is a must, like walking the caves at a winery, it just brings you to the true history of a cigar. I for one, will never look at a cigar the same way again!
Tags: cigars, golf, PGA TOUR
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The Power of Tiger
The power of Tiger… Two weeks prior to the Quail Hollow Championships he announces that he is playing and within 24 hours Saturday and Sunday tickets are sold out. This is a tournament director’s dream…not only for his local and regional sponsors but also for the buzz of the golf tournament… My question…why has Tiger always committed soooo late to sponsors in the past. Obviously he has an impact on tickets sales, sponsor value, and tournament operations…was this all part of “Old Tiger” or this the new leaf that all the media is talking about… Close media that cover him daily are afraid to ask him the hard questions… Is he sorry for wronging so many tournament directors in the past by committing late to events? Do you remember the kid that you picked on in grade school because he was different and then you see him at your high school reunion and he is a normal guy with a family – how do you feel…? Well maybe that’s how Tiger is feeling right now and he is trying to correct his ways… only time will tell.
What do you think? Let the Show KNOW!
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf, PGA TOUR, tiger woods playing
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