This weekend saw the conclusion of golf's most prestigious tournament, The Master's. Phil Mickelson, that old sentimental favorite, took home the green jacket after holding off runs in the final round by, among others, Tiger Woods. It seems to me that there is a general sense of respect and admiration for Mickelson and resentment and dislike for Woods. I remember Chris Dimarco, who lost to Woods in a playoff in last year's Masters (and who missed the cut this year,) say after the tournament that everyone had closed the gap on Tiger Woods and that he was no longer dominant. He alluded to the fact that Woods overshadows everyone on the PGA Tour and, basicallly, was campaigning for some respect for himself and his fellow pros; from the fans, from the media, etc. The irony is that Tiger, as smug and inaccessable as he may appear, is the only reason anyone cares about golf. People like Dimarco don't want to hear that, but it's the truth. Since Tiger came on the scene in 1997, golf's popularity has seen an exponential rise. Most people only pay attention when Tiger is in contention. And all that attention paid to the tour means dollars for all. Sure, I rooted for Lefty at the '04 Master's like everyone else. I wanted to see him finally win a major. But all in all, I want Tiger to win every tournament. I am an unadulterated Tiger fan. Some people hate him. He gets unconsciously lumped in with other athletes people hate like T.O. or Barry Bonds. What an unfair comparison. Woods should be a media darling. Every fan of golf (or sports on general) should appreciate his greatness. He should receive nothing but respect if nothing else, instead of passive derision. And who benefits the most from Tiger's popularity? Paradoxically, Chris Dimarco and the rest of the Tour.
A quick word before we close the book on another season of college basketball. Two teams in North Carolina, UNC and Duke, are beloved nationally and can seemingly never do wrong. Roy Williams, of UNC, took home National Coach of the Year honors. What a job he did rebuilding after losing his top seven scorers to the NBA or graduation! But it sure helps when EVERY player you recruit (and land) is a McDonald's All-American. As for Duke, does any team get less out of it's talent? I know it's sacrilage to question Coach K and the Dukies but come on. Like Carolina, the Blue Devils get the pick of the recruiting litter year after year. When your roster includes double digit prep All-Americans, and this year a National Player of the Year in J.J. Redick, you hope for better than Sweet 16's. [As an aside, I actually like Duke and particularly Coach K, but objectivity trumps all.] Additionally, a few notes on some early entry Draft candidates. Lamarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah both look like this year's Randolph Morris (STAY IN SCHOOL!!!) Ask Morris how the NBA worked out. And Tyrus Thomas from LSU, another "hot" prospect, looks to me like a poor man's Stromille Swift and, when I last checked, Stro Swift is far from stardom even after several years in the league. STAY IN SCHOOL!!! Jaron Rush and Lenny Cooke will study with you. Michael Wright and Shavlik Randolph will do your laundry. Stay in School!
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