There's been a lot reported in recent days about how Tiger Woods' "indefinite break" from professional golf will affect the business of the game. In this week's Sports Illustrated, Alan Shipnuck observes that Tiger's absence figures to depress PGA Tour TV ratings, which won't help the Tour attract sponsors in an already tenuous economic climate and will weaken its position in negotiating its next TV deal with the networks. Meanwhile yesterday's Boston Globe reported that Tiger's leave has left many golf-related businesses "worried about the future of a sport that has already been hurt by the recession."
I agree with the notion that a Tiger sabbatical, if extended, will exact a financial toll on the golf industry. But I also have a sneaking suspicion that golf's No. 1 player won't be gone long. In yesterday's Globe article, sports marketer Marc Ganis is quoted as saying, "Golf needs Tiger Woods more than Tiger Woods needs golf." While this may be true in a business sense, in an emotional sense Tiger may need golf now more than ever.
With speculation swirling that Tiger's wife, Elin Nordegren, will seek a divorce following revelations of her husband's rampant infidelity - ABCNews.com yesterday quoted a source close to Nordegren as saying the "divorce is 100 percent on" - Tiger's best escape from the personal turmoil that will no doubt accompany divorce proceedings will be between the ropes, the inevitable hecklers aside.
And let's face it - Tiger's now-revealed behavior behind closed doors tells us he's looking out for No. 1. His lifelong mission has been to eclipse Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 professional major titles. With 14 under his belt, he has to be licking his chops over this year's major lineup, which includes Augusta National (Masters), Pebble Beach (U.S. Open), and St. Andrews (British Open). He's won four times at Augusta, and he romped by 15 and eight shots, respectively, at Pebble Beach and St. Andrews in 2000.
The damage Tiger has caused at home is likely irreparable. Sitting on the sidelines won't change that. My prediction: After a few months away to tend to the personal and financial mess his actions have wrought, Tiger will re-emerge on the golf scene - possibly in March at Bay Hill, where he's the two-time defending champ and has won six times - in time to hone his game for the Masters. And instead of worry, the PGA Tour will likely have a TV ratings bonanza on its hands, especially if Tiger works his Augusta magic (see video).
Comments