What is the 411 on Tiger Woods?

We have often heard John Madden say "one knee equals two feet" and after nine holes of the TPC, Tiger Woods walked out on the Players Championship. It is painfully clear that Tiger is not close to competing in any golf tournament let alone golf's 5th major and perhaps it is time for Tiger to shut it down until he gets healthy enough to play competitive golf. From the time he launched his first tee shot nearly into the woods, and chunked a wedge shot for eagle like a weekend 20 handicapper, it is not funny, nor comfortable to watch a player of his stature consistently make ordinary shots. After hitting two chips into the drink and achieving a seven, he bogeyed nine and said audios to the TPC at Sawgrass.

   The rumor is Woods' withdrawal came after he was asked to play as a favor to  PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.

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AP Photo/Rob Carr
"The suggestion is somehow he was hurt and we got him to play anyway. Tiger doesn't [play] a tournament unless he thinks he can win," Tim Finchem said.

The truth is Tiger enjoys playing here  and this course was his stepping stone back into world-class golf last year following "Elingate". I do not think I have ever seen an athlete fall so far so quickly and is now playing out his golfing problems in front of the world. Whatever you think of Woods and he certainly brought his personal problems out on himself, Woods has not changed a bit professionally. He still is a curt, smug, and extremely arrogant individual and if his past problems have not changed him by now, he will continue to act that way toward a public that is on the fence about seeing him make it all the way back. Tiger resides in a professional tempest combining a wicked brew of multiple injuries, age (he is 35 now) and fellow professionals that largely do not fear him as Tiger circa 2008, but as a novelty until he can prove he is otherwise back.