TIGER "SLUMPGATE" IS LETTING THE AIR OUT OF THE GAME

by Doug McAllister

What a day in golf! Disasters aplenty. Defining play by some of the games up-and-comers.

But the day, in large measure, was all about Tiger. Having finished his round well before the cameras began to roll for the network coverage of the World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational, a recap showed how Tiger's slump continued to wallow in all new lows. Hole after hole. Bogey after bogey. A stunning final round 77! Yep! 7-7!

And after it all, Eldrick was good enough to field a few questions from the press.

I have to say, as I watched him answer some of the stupidest questions ever posed by supposedly intelligent reports (Q: Do you think you'd like to play in the Ryder Cup? A: Not if I'm playing like this!), I actually felt sorry for Tiger. Yes, his demise is largely of his own creation but, still, he is also the victim. Isn't he? Programmed from birth to be the greatest golfing machine in history. No siblings. Likely no real social life (until he could buy one). Pretty darn pathetic. And it showed in those tired eyes. There was real doubt today in those eyes — eyes that in past conversations with the press have been supremely fiery and confident.

But I am digressing just as most of the world's golfing media did today.

Golf's press corp said very little about the fact that Phil was worse today than Tiger by a stroke. Ernie blew up as well. Sure, the final total scores for the #2 player in the world and for today's leader of the FedEx Cup standings were commensurately better than the player formerly known as Tiger. Interesting, though, that on a day that saw more meltdowns than I can ever recall Tiger was still the center of attention. But, then, I'm really not surprised.

In the background — almost anonymously, Hunter Mahan shot a brilliant 64 and crept away silently with the championship trophy. His win won him more than the purse and the trophy. As a result of today's triumph, Mahan is assured a spot on the Ryder Cup Team — and, yes! he is certain that he wants to represent The United States!

That's the real downside of all of this Tiger "Slumpgate" nonsense. Many have basically put golf on hold while Eldrick tries to figure out whether he wants to play anymore. Golf continues as it always has and let's not forget that the future of the game is not in its past!

HELAS!