Mike is correct of course, in order to build a brand, Tiger must differentiate himself from the competition with a hook because - unlike Ben Crenshaw for instance - his name carries as many negative connotations as positive appeal. You can’t pork a conga-line of civilians without accumulating some ugly baggage. Even Her Redness, who only watched a tournament when Tiger was on a charge, wants his ass hanging from the highest yard arm.
Plus, the world hardly needs another carnacian former Tour Prophylactic, inflicting a series of obnoxious, mean-spirited obstacle courses on the public - nor does it need more vapid, monotonous, repetitious, overpriced swill defecated over the landscape by a U.S. Open “Doctor” who couldn’t find his ass with an anatomy chart. Probably best if Tiger doesn’t hitch his Gulfstream to a larger hat size than his ego can stand.
The critical difference between Jack - who has never been knocked from his towering pedestal and therefore feels infallible - and Tiger, is that beneath all of the facades is a little boy named Eldrick who has been mercilessly exposed for who and what he is. I hate to opine and assert a silver lining to this nauseating train wreck we've been watching in slow, agonizing motion, but the savage public beating he’s endured may be the kiln to reshape him into a human being with a bit of compassion. When the game ain’t so easy anymore, you tend to consider leaving an easier path to the barn for slower moving wagons.
Marc,
I notice you took issue with the term "Limey," but not "prick." In response, let me paraphrase a quote from your "Sir" Nick's 1992 acceptance speech at Muirfield: "To my critics, I say thank you from the heart of my bottom."