[quote="mjmaherjr" post=341596][quote="austour" post=341588][quote="mjmaherjr" post=341568]For me I don’t really care too much about what type of person he was. Loved watching him play golf and his focus. Today was a special day because it was like rooting for an underdog[/quote]
I'm with you about not caring about who he is off the course. Athletes aren't role models. Most of the best barely get an education.
Even during his run from '97 to 2001, the greatest 5 year stretch for any pro athlete in any sport, while I admired his accomplishments I was rarely on his side. First of all, like you said, rooting for an underdog is fun. Plus in the lead up and at the time I attended more than a few tournaments each year and I hated the jackass casual fan element he brought to the game, which for me peaked at the first open at the Black Course. The fans that weekend reminded me why I was never moving back to Long Island, and I pretty much blame him for that. Most of them wouldn't have known there was a US Open in golf if it wasn't for him. It wasn't just the weather that had me hiding in the VIP lounges in the clubhouse. So very different than the first open at Shinnecock.
But this comeback was different. Is he more relatable and humble? yeah but who cares. It's overcoming the odds that's been exciting to watch. I still don't think he gets to 18 nor will he ever be better than Jack IMHO but it was fun to watch and even this old idiot had a tear in his eye when he hugged his mom.[/quote] I was at black too. That fucking rain then mud. Oh man I followed tiger a few holes and people knocking each other down in the mud. Then I started going a few holes ahead. Friend of mine met Michelson. Said super nice guy. I’m pretty sure it was that tournament that afterwards he went back into clubhouse and started tipping people and doing pics and thanking them for working or volunteering[/quote]
Hey, easy on us Long Island (Syosset here) boys.......
I'm with you about not caring about who he is off the course. Athletes aren't role models. Most of the best barely get an education.
Even during his run from '97 to 2001, the greatest 5 year stretch for any pro athlete in any sport, while I admired his accomplishments I was rarely on his side. First of all, like you said, rooting for an underdog is fun. Plus in the lead up and at the time I attended more than a few tournaments each year and I hated the jackass casual fan element he brought to the game, which for me peaked at the first open at the Black Course. The fans that weekend reminded me why I was never moving back to Long Island, and I pretty much blame him for that. Most of them wouldn't have known there was a US Open in golf if it wasn't for him. It wasn't just the weather that had me hiding in the VIP lounges in the clubhouse. So very different than the first open at Shinnecock.
But this comeback was different. Is he more relatable and humble? yeah but who cares. It's overcoming the odds that's been exciting to watch. I still don't think he gets to 18 nor will he ever be better than Jack IMHO but it was fun to watch and even this old idiot had a tear in his eye when he hugged his mom.[/quote] I was at black too. That fucking rain then mud. Oh man I followed tiger a few holes and people knocking each other down in the mud. Then I started going a few holes ahead. Friend of mine met Michelson. Said super nice guy. I’m pretty sure it was that tournament that afterwards he went back into clubhouse and started tipping people and doing pics and thanking them for working or volunteering[/quote]
Hey, easy on us Long Island (Syosset here) boys.......