Peter Thomson is Australia's first great golfer. He turns 80 on Sunday, and in a wide-ranging sit-down with the London Telegraph, the five-time British Open champion weighs in on the state of today's game. Specifically, how the face of golf, Tiger Woods, could stand to loosen up.
The Telegraph writes that Thomson "has impeccable manners and he demands the same standards of others." And, apparently, that includes Woods, the sport's unofficial ambassador.
"He will probably win five Opens in his career before he stops, but he's up against an increasing number of young people who are matching him. He will find it harder and harder.Look, I could do without all the Tiger club-tossing and pouting, too, but let's not go crazy. Woods' image is fine -- the guy made $110 million in endorsements in 2008. And despite the occasional temper tantrum, he smiles plenty -- Woods has five wins in 11 tournaments, more than anybody else on the PGA Tour.
"I will add one other thing. I wish he'd smile more. He injures his image by being morose and petulant. There is also very little consideration for the fellow he is playing with. He could show more humility."
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As for Thomson's claim that "There is ... very little consideration for the fellow [Tiger] is playing with," I'd point to the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Woods defended final-round playing partner Padraig Harrington after a rules official put the group on the clock and possibly played a part in the outcome. That was two weeks ago.
In addition to Tiger, Thomson also had thoughts on the prevalence of swing coaches among today's players.
"Golf's a game of scoring. An hour spent playing six holes is 100 times more valuable than 50 practice balls. To get to the top you have to be totally self-reliant. If you need to ring someone up on the phone and say: 'I can't hit my wedges', you won't solve the problem.And then Thomson yelled at some kids to "Get off my lawn!" before laying down for his daily 11 AM nap.
"It's absurd that the world's greatest golfer is taking lessons. A pro should puzzle it out for himself. The young players need to find another system."
Via Local Knowledge
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 41)
8-22-2009 @ 2:45PM
jm41916 said...
how about last week when tiger walked off the green before the spanuard even addressed his put?
Reply
8-22-2009 @ 7:51PM
James said...
jm41916.......I really have a hard time taking anyone seriously when can't even spell the work 'putt.'
8-22-2009 @ 8:26PM
Chuck said...
You've got room to talk. Maybe you should take a look at your statement....
8-22-2009 @ 9:42PM
hookmrl said...
about time some calls this ego manic on his crap the other day when he was getting kicked he was getting in ya line and moving around he is a spoiled brat
8-23-2009 @ 12:30AM
Hugh said...
Peter was in a bad mood that day. Someone forgot to empty his drool cup.
8-23-2009 @ 7:44AM
Nancy said...
and what is a spanurd?
8-23-2009 @ 7:47AM
poppachanga said...
What was worse was that he new the tourn. was lost after his chip on 18 and instead of finishing it out and letting YE putt out last he made him putt for a birdie and 3 stroke lead and then he finished...Any golfer would have finished out so the winner could have the spotlight...I hope it happens to him and lets watch him explode!!!
8-23-2009 @ 11:00AM
Jason V. said...
All of these correction are hysterical. Most of the corrections need correcting. On topic: Woods could lighten up, but just a little bit. It's not like he's the Grinch of golf. Although...
8-23-2009 @ 12:22PM
Rose said...
please people recognize Tiger for what he is - he is a perfectionist - so if he doesn't live up to this expectation of sinking every "putt" and every shot being a good one, he loses it. Until he recognizes this in himself he will always have tantrums. The people I feel sorry for the most is his kids because he could end up raising them to be the same way.
Why do you think there are so many teen suicides? Simply because they have been raised to have unrealistic expectations to achieve.
8-23-2009 @ 1:09PM
pnut166 said...
We dont need no stinkin spelin poleece. evreewon shut up and liten up.
8-23-2009 @ 1:22PM
dondee500k said...
I have hard time taking anyone seriously who takes golf seriously. :)
8-23-2009 @ 1:48PM
elis927 said...
if tiger didnt act the way he does no one would care he uses the anger to help him lay better its the way he is and if more ppl could use and channel their anger like he does more ppl would be good at golf
8-23-2009 @ 2:30PM
sssc1969 said...
He recently yelled at to crowd for making noise, saying he's gonna break someones neck. How ever great a golfer he is, he knows how many peolpe are watching him, so for him to act like that is disrespectful.
It's always amazed me how many people covet for their overpaid sports heros. It must make people feel better about their own lives
8-23-2009 @ 4:07PM
play2thend said...
You should be thanking the spelling and grammer police. We are the ones that try to make you appear smarter than you actually are. Bad spelling and grammer make you look..........stupid!
8-24-2009 @ 2:23PM
danamarie502 said...
pay2thend....it's GRAMMAR not grammer IDIOT
8-24-2009 @ 8:16PM
bailey said...
who cares about this at all? he just hits a damn golfball.
8-24-2009 @ 8:20PM
unclemax4 said...
he can't spell spaniard,either
8-24-2009 @ 8:49PM
spatterson2326 said...
Pnut166, HAHAHAHAHHAAAA!!! So funny,thanks for the laugh!
8-24-2009 @ 11:09PM
Sieben said...
Why is Tiger held to a DIFFERENT STANDARD ?? Tiger is a VERY INTENSE athletic who holds himself to a HIGHER STANDARD of performance,he doesn't except imperfection,when he knows that he is able to perform better,ATTITUDE????????? when others slam their clubs after a bad shot, or CUSS its excepted & NO FUSS is made about it, but Tiger on the other hand that's an entirely different matter COMON people lets get real (FAIR)Do you think Tiger Woods could "show more humility" please define HUMILITY??????????
8-25-2009 @ 12:15AM
chuckie said...
This man is obviously a racist. Shame on him for saying anything negative about Tiger. He probably doesn't like President Obama either. Keep you opinions down under, stupid Aussie!