Twitter
Advertisement

An afternoon with Tiger Woods

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

It's a fine crisp winter morning in Orlando. The course is ready for some seriously long drives. The putting and practice area is full with spectators of all ages and suddenly there is a loud cry…Some kids are chasing a golf cart yelling 'Tiger' 'Tiger'. From being a busy day on the course, it becomes frenzy. Such is the grasp the man has on his fans. Everyone was running after him. He had arrived for the tournament.

And so here I was, all set to meet Tiger. I didn't have to chase the cart luckily, this was by appointment. I had flown more than half the world for my few minutes with Tiger Woods. I have been the face of Indian golf coverage for over a decade but suddenly I was the groupie, the fan-girl finally getting to do the interview I have always wanted.

We met below the canopy of the very prestigious Isleworth golf club, which also at one point was Tiger's home course. This is his comeback to the sport after a four-month break. His game has been lousy and even he would admit that. But just how does the world's great golfer deal with constant scrutiny and attention? And all that expectation that Tiger shouldn't falter at his game of all things. Tiger seems to accept the fact with a degree of ease. "My entire career has been documented. I am in the spotlight since the day I turned pro. It's been different with me. We have a 24 news cycle now which we didn't have when Jack (Nicklaus) and Arnold (Palmer) were playing. Now we also have social media. So in a way the world has become more intimate. Things are travelling faster in seconds instead of – at that time – even weeks or days. It's a totally different global climate now but it's also one that can work for you in a positive way."

You'd think he would be more guarded given the upheaval he has gone through in his life after his multiple sex scandals broke out in public. But he remains at peace with himself, or at least that how he projects it. He had spent the last four months with his children doing things that dads do with them. Part of this break was also recuperation for his incessant injuries, which he needs to nurse time to time. We move from the subject of his health to what he plans to do in India with his foundation and how he could be seen supporting golfers in the country. His visit in Feb 2014 left him with pleasant memories and the latest branding deal with Hero Moto gives him more opportunities to come here.

His best buddy Arjun Atwal, who also stays in Orlando, has done well to share good things about India including getting Tiger addicted to butter chicken. "I've heard so much about India from Arjun. He's been trying to get me go there for years. I finally went and had just had a blast. Had a great time. Arjun was supposed to be here to play. Arjun and I have been fantastic friends, and the people that he's introduced me to from India that come over here besides his family, they couldn't have been nicer." Tiger shares he is not coming for the Indian Open in 2015, but would definitely plan a few others in the future. For now, he is excited with the new golf talent emerging from countries like India and China though he laughs and warns, "Maybe some little boy will be better than me but the idea is for me to keep playing well so he won't kick my butt yet."

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement