Tiger’s Mea Culpa

The big question after Tiger Woods’ much-anticipated (and ballyhooed) apology to the world for his behavior, is whether it’s real, or more spin.

Maybe it’s a bit of both.

But as one who is not a golfer, nor a particular fan of Tiger’s, I don’t see a false note in his apology. He sugar-coated nothing, no rationalization, no blaming anyone but himself, pledging to prove himself through future actions, not by words.

He wasn’t groveling or pleading for understanding. He was blaming himself and no one else for his selfishness, irresponsibility, foolishness and for letting down  his family, friends, his profession and fans simply because “I thought I could get away with anything.”

Some of the reaction to his apology was cynical, but I have difficulty seeing that.

Fellow golfer Nick Faldo is puzzled that Tiger is heading back tomorrow for more therapy. He notes that Tiger is a man of incredible mental strength and confidence, “and it’s difficult to think of some therapist telling him what to do.”

Others see him as still in control, stage-managing his press conference in such a way that he virtually made it a private statement – not taking questions from the media and keeping control.

In fairness why not? If he’d taken questions, the press conference would still be going on, as media piranha chewed him to shreds. One can’t fault him for wanting as much privacy as possible, and his pleas (persuasively) for the media to leave his kids and family alone, not to stalk them at school and such, is convincing and reasonable.

It seems clear that Tiger is hoping his marriage stays intact. I found him believable when he insisted there is no domestic violence in his home.

It’s easy to be cynical. But is it cynicism to wonder if a man who has a record of some 14 identifiable women with whom he’s cheated on his wife, is likely to change his ways after he’s been caught and embarrassed?

Ordinarily, no. But Tiger is not your average male.

Summed up, I think Tiger was totally sincere in his apology – courageous, too, because it takes guts to stand up before the world and take your lumps. But sincerity aside, tomorrow is another day, and when temptations offer themselves, will he be able to resist?

Lesser men might not, but Tiger Woods is not a lesser man so the law of averages don’t apply to him.

He says he’ll return to golf – but probably not this year if one takes what he says seriously. When he does, well, it’s hard not to see him taking the golf world by storm . . .  again.

And I bet his wife stays with him – unless she’s heard his mea culpa before.