There is no person in the world to have such an impact in their own respective sport as Tiger Woods. He has resurfaced in the golf world after a knee injury. No one, not even Tiger, can be happier about this than the television networks (specifically Golf Channel and NBC).
While he was out of commission, the golf world took a hit in viewers. Many people only watched golf simply to see what kind of miracle Tiger would perform. Can you blame them? He hit a putt on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass comprising of three breaks! The only thing scarier than that is the fact that he read all three of those breaks.
So no wonder golf networks took over a 50 percent drop when he was out. But that's all changing now. Tiger Woods is back from his injury and trying to reach his way back to the top. Although his first match back was a disappointment (he got knocked out in the second round of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championships), the atmosphere around the golf network seemed to make people forget about the economic state of their lives and get back to enjoying golf. His energy spreads throughout whatever golf course he is playing on and roars reverberate whenever he hits a shot. It may be a new era of golf, which is traditionally a quiet and serene game, but in my opinion, it is all because of Tiger.
His influence on society is overwhelming. I remember growing up thinking golf was the most boring thing in the world. None of my friends played golf, my parents didn't even play. I just played the "popular sports". But then comes along a man that changes the game. I began watching him, not golf, just Tiger. Then soon enough, I was out at the driving range and golf courses trying to get my Tiger on. Too bad I'm not good, but the point is that his talent is bringing in more and more people to this game. Soon, golf matches may need to make some sort of Tiger rule or handicap for his competition.
There is a commercial out where some of the best players in golf are smiling and playing happily and having the times of their life, then the music stops and the smiles fade as Tiger Woods walks into the clubhouse and people timidly say, "Welcome back Tiger". That's quite the impact of a single person where his opponents even know that they come second best in this game.
So no wonder everyone in the golf society wants to be like him. Maybe one day there will be someone who comes along and knocks him off the top, but for now there is only one Tiger.
I totally agreed with you. Tiger Woods is a phenomenom golfer and for now I do not see anyone who can argue that he's the best. I was watching ESPN two weeks ago when the reporter said that Tiger Woods was making a come back after having a knee surgery. He then said that the upcoming tournament had only 6 tv satelite stations that signed up if my number is right, only to have 14 more signing up after his announcement. I do not watch golf ever unless he's playing. I don't think it's a good thing to do but it's the reality. He made the sport popular worldwide that when he's not in a game no one wants to watch it.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt that Tiger Woods is an extraordinary golfer and dominates his sport like no one else. I think, in general, in every sport, there is a figure (sometimes figures) that creates a similar attractive appeal to the public. I personally like soccer and can give a few examples related to this sport. There are three players that I perceive as phenomenal: Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi. Whenever those players are on the field, you expect something amazing and they often prove your expectations. It seems like they have some magical powers that help them turn a serious game into a show, which the public likes the most.
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