Tiger Woods Stares Down Reporter in Contentious Exchange Over Coach’s Book
- Posted on March 1, 2012 at 6:52am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods had a terse exchange with a reporter over excerpts from former swing coach Hank Haney’s book.
The volley ended with Woods refusing to answer the question, staring him down for five seconds and saying sarcastically, “Have a good day.”
The topic Wednesday at the Honda Classic was Haney’s contention that Woods seriously thought about becoming a Navy SEAL at the peak of his career.
And so began a bumpy road to the Masters for Woods, who has gone more than two years without winning on the PGA Tour. If the book didn’t get under his skin, there were 10 questions related to his putting. Woods is coming off a second-round loss in the Match Play Championship when he missed a 5-foot putt on the last hole.
The news conference at PGA National turned awkward when Alex Miceli, a Golfweek senior writer and contributor to Golf Channel, asked Woods if he considered being a Navy SEAL at the height of his career.
“I’ve already talked about everything in the book. I’ve already commented on everything, Alex,” Woods said.
“Then I must have missed you answering that question,” Miceli replied.
“Well, I’ve already commented on the book. Is that in the book? Is it in the book?” Woods said.
Miceli replied he had not seen the book.
“You’re a beauty, you know that?” Woods said, forcing a smile.
Miceli said Steinberg’s statement suggested something was wrong with the excerpt and he wanted to know if it was true. Woods paused for a moment, said with indifference, “I don’t know,” then stared at him for nearly five seconds and said, “Have a good day.”
It was a change from the way he handled a news conference in December 2010. Tom Callahan had written in “His Father’s Son” that he would not have been surprised if Woods had followed his father into the military. Woods was asked that day where Callahan came up with that notion.
“Well, I’ve always wanted to become a SEAL,” Woods said back then. “That’s something that I told my dad from the very get-go – either I‘m going to become a professional golfer or I’m going to go become a Navy SEAL.”
On Wednesday, Woods worked hard to contain his anger.
Even in questions related to golf, such as how he plays the Masters with the lead and his pursuit of the Nicklaus record, Woods rushed through his answers. He did not look as comfortable as he had been in dealings with the media earlier this year.
He goes onto the course Thursday at PGA National, a course he has not seen since he was 14 and lost on the last day of the PGA Junior Championship to 17-year-old Chris Couch, who went on to win in New Orleans in 2006 for his lone tour victory.
And while Woods looks capable of winning any time he plays – depending on the putter – he no longer is considered the favorite. That role belongs to 22-year-old Rory McIlroy, who broke several of Woods’ records in winning the U.S. Open last summer and who could go to No. 1 in the world if he were to win.
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Comments (84)
lvjohn
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 11:25amTiger is just another arrogant horses butt, his career as a golfer is over, he is a has been but a new opportunity may open up at the Bunny Ranch here in Nevada.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 2:40pmtiger has done some stupid stuff but he sure does not have to answer some idiot reporter every time they ask a question.
Report Post »STEELERINTEXAS
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 11:24amWalkabout, if Tiger is one of your heroes then you need to put yourself out to pasture now! Take Texaswomen56 with you. I am ashamed she is from Texas. Clearly you both dont understand the arrogance and destruction he has caused to the women he used and most importantly the damage to his children.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 2:39pmUhmmmmm. No.
I mentioned it because many people look up to sports figures and the saying is good to remember.
Looking at the statistics on how many people cheat, I assume more of them would if given the money & the opportunity.
This story made me think more about human psychology, failure & stats. My conclusion is that middle class values are the ones to push, even though the middle class is not perfect & the left attacks the middle class relentlessly. The relative increase in good outcomes is important for society & its’ survival.
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:59amTiger your career is over. Just take your billion dollars and screw! I’m really sick of seeing the degenerates face. He will always be remembered as another rich, uber-douche that had it all and pee’d it all way being an asshat. Kind of another Whitney Houston, incredibly talented but just didn’t have the character to support it. By the way wussy, only 2% of men can make it in B.U.D.S (basic,underwater,demolition,school or SEAL training) you NEVER would of lasted the first 3 days, nancy-boy.
Report Post »lisalake
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:15pmSo right! nancy-boy would have NEVER made it! Go to hell.tiger and take your ghetto mentality with you.
Report Post »AgentP
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 2:00amI‘m gonna go ahead and disagree about Tiger’s ability to handle the SEAL training. He is a super rich uber douche megalomaniac, but he is also one of if not the most mentally tough athletes ever. His ability to focus and the way his dad raised him prepared him better for becoming a SEAL than many who make it. Opinions vary.
Report Post »Jethro212
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:57amThat look Tiger has? “I just killed you with 8 different clubs in my mind.”
That guy is coo coo, nuts, tells you he is coo coo every 15 minutes, he will put the Swiss out of business.
Report Post »weneedrubio
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:56amLeave him alone, he’s not the best player enymore and may never make it back. His swing has always been too forced to last. Check out Phil, McElroy and twenty others who have swings that will last their entire lives. Tiger is an athlete and right now he’s wound a little tight which is killing his game. Get off his back it’s just a game.
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 11:20amAgree.
Report Post »MTdave
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:21amif the media would just quit fawning all over him like a bunch of lap dogs, you would not have this problem of possibly offending Tiger………there are 100 other PGA golfer who will give you all the time you want without confrontation or putdown,……gawd I am sick of Tiger…………
Report Post »JRook
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:29amAgreed this is a no story, story and given the comments referencing his race all to telling about GB’s following.
Report Post »betsp
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:20amI think Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer ever. He’ll come back. Reporters should be pecking away at Haney for riding the back of Woods, betraying confidences, using him for a buck. Tiger was pretty polite, I thought.
Report Post »ballsofFe
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:58amNot to stereotype, but every time I hear about Tiger Woods, and how the sports media tried to make this non-white, put upon kid the new face of golf, and how that blew up in their face, I keep thinking of our current Commander in Chief, wondering what stories will one day surface. Who knows what’s going on during all those smoke breaks.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:28amGood thing you are not racist. Ever hear of Jack Fleck, Johnny Miller or Greg Norman…. just a couple of great golfers who never lived up to expectations.
Report Post »CoyoteDKM
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 11:03am@jrbrook, do you like talking to yourself? Its obvious you are one of those soros-paid types who come on here with more than one account, pretend to be racist with one and then argue with yourself with another so your boss has something to cry about and point to. Both sides of the fake arguments you people make are so stereotypical. You people are so obvious – both here and when you call in on the radio pretending you are something you’re not.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:50pm@CoyoteDKM Sorry you couldn’t grasp the point. As for your analysis, save it for friends and family who pretend to agree with you.
Report Post »Justus39
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:40amI am not a Tiger Woods fan but please leave him alone. Question him all you wish about golf but let his personal life be. The press are nothing more than blood suckers!
Report Post »GERATMO
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:14pmThank you. Tiger has kept to himself his entire career because the freak show media doesnt tell the truth. There have been so many misleeding lies from the media about him that I can understand his anger towards them. I would do the same thing and I thing more athletes should put the media in their place. As far as Tigers career, he is far from done and any of you who says otherwise just doesnt know golf. Ive been a golf pro for 10 years and know that you just dont loose talent. He has the talent, the brains, and he knows how to win.
Report Post »Texas woman56
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:14amWhat do you want the man to do? He has said he is sorry for his actions. He can not go back and change them. He can only go forward, leave him alone.
Report Post »Duckhead
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:30amWell, he could go forward without being a douchebag.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:41amTexas woman56
Spot on.
Duckhead
And what has Tiger done besides cheat on his wife that is bad? If most guys had Tiger’s money, fame & the opportunity, there would be a longer line of sinners than saints.
I don’t remember Tiger pushing granny from the curb. What has he done?
Alex Miceli should not be getting any more interviews from anyone since he was piling on. He should look for a different job.
Report Post »cranberry
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:14amWas he there to promote the book? Then why the immature attitude of Woods? Dumb questions are part and parcel of what he’s there to do. Just answer them and people will come away with a positive attitude and what? maybe even buy your book. sheesh. grow up.
Report Post »Highland
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:11amTiger’s an arrogant, petulant child who never learned humility or grace. The reporters were doing their jobs. Tiger not only snapped, “I’ve answered that” when he hadn‘t really answered anything about Haney’s book, he didn’t even answer their questions about his golf game. He appears to be having a hard time admitting he’s not the greatest anymore, he’s just another touring pro.
Report Post »mlcblog
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:34pmHIghland, I think you nailed it.
Report Post »Cabreramiggs
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:12amTiger , you suck!
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:32amWell said!
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:43amTiger is that bad?
***Most*** men would do exactly what Tiger did.
Gary Hart, Clinton, Newt, … The list is exceedingly long.
It is important to have heroes, & inevitably they will disappoint you.
Report Post »FEISTY
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:10amThe media is still the media. Give ‘em hell, Tiger!
Report Post »Gunonesis
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:04amNever was an Eldrick Tont fan but am enjoying watching his demise.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:27amDear Mr Seidl
“Miceli said Steinberg’s statement ”
Who the heck is Steinberg?
It’s really annoying reading a cut and paste story.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:27am@ Mark Steinberg, the head IMG Golf and the agent for superstar Tiger Woods . Google it and this shows up,it’s not that hard.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 11:17amDear Mr. Biker,
The name “Mark” is not given either.
Again, cut and paste “journalism”……isn’t. One should not have to go searching for information that is necessary to understanding a story.
Report Post »sdarbro
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 2:44pmShroom:
Thank you for making that point. I had the same question and had to scour the article for an answer that I never found. You are exactly right about ‘cut n paste’ journalism.
I try to support Glenn and this site, but when I could write a better article than the writer then it is frustrating.
BIKER: are you the authors mom? Have to backbone to call a bad article bad. I don’t read a lot about golf. I don’t have insomnia.
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:22amRather amazing! Never was a great Tiger fan, but the way people pile on a once admired person, after it comes out that he had a screwed up personal life, leaves much to be desired and one reason the country is going to Hell in a hand basket.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:28pmWay back when, during the Nicklas/Palmer years and before, sports writers protected the athlete’s image; but today they smell blood in the water and want to be first to smear the person, whether true or false. Back then there were ethics in writing and reporting, back in the good old days, back when reporters had integrity. I hope we will some day return to the “good old days”.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 11:14amHow was that reporter piling on? It was a legitimate question.
Report Post »Fedup
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:06amThere is no story here. The guy is a slut.
If you want to watch Golf…. watch the LPGA. It i way more interesting.
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:26amMore interesting? I think you just like those hot little Asian girls in those tight little skirts!!!!
Report Post »RoyBaty
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:56amI’m not a big golf fan but I really like Tiger, he appears to be a conservative patriotic guy despite his marriage problems.
Report Post »Highland
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:13amIf you want to learn something about improving your own golf game, watch the LPGA. The ladies don’t overswing and try to kill the ball like many of the male golfers.
Report Post »NotAsheeple
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:10pmTo Bluefish49…….The NoRepectTiger will NEVER win another Major. I hope they keep the pressure up so that he never wins.
Tiger is no Different than Michael Vick……These Animals Don’t ever need a second chance in life of success.
Report Post »GERATMO
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 3:18pmUh, really? Tiger is the best thing that golf has ever seen. I was a teaching pro for 10 years during Tigers prime and I saw first hand what he did to game. He was the highest paid and most known athlete on earth and transformed the game single handedly.
Report Post »golfmom
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:04amTiger deserves the comments regarding his personal life but how is it that wanting to serve your country,like Pat Tillman, is suddenly a bad thing.
Report Post »Fedup
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:11amHe is an egomaniac who thinks that he can do anything… with impunity. Guys like him are very poor role models and the fact that the press protected him is really unbelievable.
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:42amC’mon Fedup! No one here is defending Tigers bad behavior. But as I recal, and am still witness to, the press, his fans, and the majority of the sporting world are, and have been extremely critical of his actions. I haven’t seen anyone “protecting him”. He will be raked over the coals for what he did for the rest of his career..
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:58amAnd, HE DESERVES IT.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:49amTiger Woods is a sleaze ball. Period. Anyone who pays good money to watch him play golf is a moron. Period.
Report Post »FEISTY
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:09amNo, the press don’t talk about golf anymore. They’ve become paparazzi, always looking for the sensational angle on everything. I don’t blame Tiger, he can answer any question he wants to, and he doesn‘t have to sit there and be grilled like he’s on a witness stand. It’s a free interview, and Tiger can pick and choose what he says. He’s got to look out for himself, too, and not comment on things that don’t do him any service — especially things in a book that someone else wrote.
Report Post »They’re stupid newspaper and magazine writers, they’re not the Supreme Court of golf. F ‘em.
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:44am.
Report Post »And I thought my life was screwed up. Thanks for making me feel better Tiger…….
SoundStride
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:36amSouthpark The relation between tiger woods and his wife…..the game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsNCv45Cz6w
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:18amWhat’s the matter with that question Tiger? With a temper like that it‘s no wonder you’ve melted down.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:21amyesterdays news
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:44amTypical For His Kind, Full Of Hate And Anger Just Another Obama Type Privileged Black The News Media Protected.
He was the most foul mouthed golfer ever and broke PGA records for fines. He had a harem of over 100 women. Not once did any reporter ever write anything about the cursing or harem. The news media sold the image of Woods being a wholesome family man.
He is yesterday’s news the the dog is using.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:24am@teamarcheson
Well stated
Report Post »mlcblog
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:37pmThat’s what I am tryna get. Seems like an ordinary dumb reporter question about his book. So answer it already and be glad they are there to pump up his book. What would be wrong with that?
Report Post »Wayne
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:15amI have no respect for woods, he is not fit to play on the tour. men like him and Daily should not be able to repersent the USA at anytime. Golf is a Gentlemans game which they are not.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:10amAsking Tiger the truth about anything is dumb anyway. Who could believe anything he says at all? Navy Seals have integrity, so I am sure he only wanted to fantisize something he cold never achieve. He has no morals…
Report Post »He is a wealthy PUNK with a great golf swing…so what.
jblovesAmerica
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:17pmOne of the most important factor’s to be considered is a clean record while in the Navy.You must 1st
Report Post »be a Graduate of the Naval Academy be a highly graded officer-a great Leader-as an enlisted man same thing.
not sure of the years in service to qualify.
just cant walk in off the street and become a SEAL.
Team-Team-Team is what SEALS are-no I in TEAM
Not that he can not become TEAM-but as he was raised-TEAM he was/is NOT.
TIGER become a Good Man 1st.
drago
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:06amtiger woods, a navy seal, yea right.I believe what he may have told his father was, he want to become a golfing philanderer……..
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