Capelle On Golf

If Tiger Woods played was uninspired as his interviews, he’d never get past the first round of the WGC or seldom make a cut.

True to form, Tiger came to Tuesdays press conference armed with his stock answers to the media’s softballs. If you’re like me, you’ve about had it with his politically correct conferences. So, to liven things, I’ve added my two cents.

Why he chose to come back at the WGC Accenture Match Play.
Woods: It was just a matter of Elin and Charlie feeling good, and as long as they’re healthy and secure at home, then I was ready to come back and play.
Capelle: He never wins at Riviera, and Accenture is one of his sponsors.

On the condition of his knee.
Woods: Stability is something I haven’t had in years. So it’s nice to make a swing and not have my — as I’ve said before — my bones move.
Capelle: As if the one legged win at the US Open were not enough, now he keeps reminding everyone that he’s won for years on one leg. Hey, if the leg really hampered his performance, there is no way he’d have won as much as he has.

On staying at home with his family.
Woods: First off, being on the sidelines, it actually felt great to get away from it, be with Sam and E and watch her grow.
Capelle: We know next to nothing about Woods and his family, and now his wife had been reduced to a single letter like the Ws.

On getting back into competitive golf.
Woods: That’s the greatest thing about it is just to feel that, to feel that rush.
Capelle: Maybe it’s just be, but I’ve never like his use of rush to describe the feeling he gets from competition. It sounds like a druggie’s word. Couldn’t he use thrill or excitement?

On his stronger knee.
Woods: So to have it feel this healthy and this solid and secure, man, it’s a great feeling.
Capelle: There have been absolutely zero details about his procedure. Is he now a bionic Tiger? Inquiring minds would sure like to know.

On the new Ritz-Carlton Dove Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Woods: Well, it is a long walk, especially between holes. This course is spread out quite a bit. Well, the greens are a bit tough. They’re a little severe out there. The green speeds are down because if they ever got them up, you couldn’t play.
Capelle: It sounds like he doesn’t care for Nicklaus’ layout. Are they competing off the course now as well?

On his Foundation’s agreement with beleaguered Sanford Financial.
Wood: Everything is wonderful on our side. The foundation is doing well. Obviously as you said we have an agreement there, but everything is good on our side.
Capelle: As long as his interests are secure, that’s all that matters.

On the state of the PGA Tour.
Woods: Well, the TOUR is obviously feeling it, just like any other part of business. I think it is very important for all of us to understand that, how important the sponsors are to our sport, and we have to acknowledge that. It’s one of those times where we may be losing a few tournaments, and a lot of tournaments are coming up on their contract years …
Capelle: Why just now? Why not appreciate them all the time because it’s the right thing to do – not just when the tour is in trouble?

On meeting the challenge of the horde of the emerging young talent.
Woods:  It’s good to see the game is youthful. It is a different generation than mine, but I think it’s great to see.
We need that youthfulness in our sport. We need that injection of new blood in our sport. It’s just a matter of them getting the experience and playing well, and it’s good to see that they’re winning golf tournaments around the world.
Capelle: Tiger likes the competition as long as it doesn’t cost him any majors.

On Japanese teen age sensation Ryo Ishikawa.
Woods: Just because there’s attention doesn’t mean that that helps you hit any golf shots, doesn’t help you make putts, and it doesn’t help you win golf tournaments. You’ve still got to put in the time, the effort, and the legwork to achieve success.
Capelle: It’s going to be a lot tougher becoming the next Tiger than the hype machine would have people believe.
Woods: I hope that he does well going forward. He’s done great so far, just an unbelievable start to his career, and hard to believe he’s only 17. It’s just great to see, and hopefully he’ll continue to improve and have just an unbelievable career.
Capelle: Tiger the politician on top of his PR game. I wonder how he would feel about Ryo if he beat him in a major?

On what more Tiger can do to help the PGA Tour and its sponsors.
Woods: We have to do more as players. We have to make sure the sponsors are really appreciated, because without them we couldn’t have these events. We wouldn’t be playing for the money that we’re playing for…
Capelle: He’s really into the money. What about the fans? Why doesn’t ‘do more’ mean giving more to the fans, who really make the sport, not the sponsors. Why not try making eye contact with them and signing some autographs for a change?