If there's one thing we've learned about Tiger Woods -- besides his complete and utter domination of the PGA Tour -- it's that he gets a little angry when photographers start snapping away while he's swinging. (And rightfully so. This is golf, people.) As Ryan Wilson spelled out yesterday, Woods' caddy went into the stands and yanked a camera from a spectator during the '04 U.S. Open. And Sunday at the WGC-CA Championship at Doral, Woods went on an expletive-laden tirade against a photographer. ("The next time a photographer shoots an [expletive] picture," Woods warned, "I'm going to break his [expletive] neck.")
Again, can't really blame him for these transgressions. But has the PGA taken notice and fined Woods accordingly? And is Tiger getting fined all the time?
Latest Golf Photos
Owner of Luco Sports Jaci Rae, right, and sales manager Bruce Biggio, left, prepare an order of golf club covers at her shop in Salinas, Calif., on Thursday, Mar. 20, 2008. The slowing economy has affected Rae's business from all sides -- sales to retail clients are an eighth of what they were a year ago, she's had to downsize her staff and she's nickel-and-diming expenses at home. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Businesswoman and owner of Luco Sports Jaci Rae sews a golf club cover at her shop in Salinas, Calif., on Thursday, Mar. 20, 2008. The slowing economy has affected Rae's business from all sides -- sales to retail clients are an eighth of what they were a year ago, she's had to downsize her staff and she's nickel-and-diming expenses at home. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Tiger Woods follows his ball from the 16th bunker during the final round of the CA Championship golf tournament in Doral, Fla., Monday, March 24, 2008. Woods failed to win his fifth straight PGA title, finishing the tournament 15-under-par 273. (AP Photo/ Lynne Sladky)
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Tiger Woods walks off the 18th green after his final putt during the final round of the CA Championship golf tournament in Doral, Fla., Monday, March 24, 2008. Woods finished with a 15-under-par 273. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Tiger Woods urges his ball on the 14th green during the final round of the CA Championship golf tournament in Doral, Fla., Monday, March 24, 2008. Tiger failed to win his fifth straight PGA title. He finished 15-under-par 273. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Tiger Woods reacts to his shot from the 16th tee during the final round of the CA Championship golf tournament in Doral, Fla. Monday, March 24, 2008. Woods failed to win his fifth straight PGA title. He finished 15-under-par 273. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia, plays with his daughter Phoebe on the 19th green after winning the CA Championship golf tournament in Doral, Fla., Monday, March 24, 2008. Ogilvy finished with a 17-under-par 271. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Geoff Ogilvy of Australia poses for photographs with the trophy after winning the CA Championship golf tournament in Doral, Fla. Monday, March 24, 2008. Ogilvy finished with a 17-under-par 271. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Geoff Ogilvy of Australia holds the trophy after winning the CA Championship golf tournament in Doral, Fla., Monday, March 24, 2008. Ogilvy finished with a 17-under-par 271. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Geoff Ogilvy of Australia holds the CA Championship trophy after winning the golf tournament in Doral, Fla. Monday, March 24, 2008. Ogilvy finished 17-under-par 271. (AP Photo/)
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The Independent speculates today.
PGA Tour punishments are kept secret, but John Daly once revealed that Woods told him that nobody has ever been fined more. The latest misdemeanour might cost £5,000. (My edit: about $10,000.) That was hardly going to keep a man earning more than $100m a year awake last night.Since the Tour doesn't disclose fines, we'll never really know. But with all the scrutiny and attention Wood receives, you would think his slip-ups are more readily detected and thus would lead to more fines etc. I'm sure Tiger is OK with this. Perhaps he even enjoys it. It all comes with the territory of being #1, I suppose.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 41)
1. if this guy werent that great at golf he might look like an idiot. but he is great, hes the best, he can drop as many f-bombs as he needs as far as im concerned
Posted at 11:29AM on Mar 25th 2008 by kevin
2. Sounds like ROID rage to me.
Posted at 11:32AM on Mar 25th 2008 by MadHatter
3. who really should be fined is the photographer not the golfer..when wioll those people realize that it takes away the concentration of the golfer when they shoot while hes in his stance...
Posted at 11:33AM on Mar 25th 2008 by brad
4. I'm sorry, I disagree that Tiger can't be blamed for his behavior. All of us are responsible for our behavior, and making threats of physical violence is unacceptable. And just like we denounce players of other sports going into the stands, we have to Hold Tiger at fault for any interaction with the gallery. He's supposed to be a professional and he should act like one.
Posted at 11:33AM on Mar 25th 2008 by mike smith
5. he is the best! %&#@ it!
Posted at 11:35AM on Mar 25th 2008 by twall
6. "rev" wright can curse America in church, so it is ok for the tiger to curse on the golf course.
Posted at 11:36AM on Mar 25th 2008 by rbredin57
7. Tiger has no class what so ever.
lkn2golf
Posted at 11:37AM on Mar 25th 2008 by lkn2golf
8. get real people..........this man has done more for society and underprivledged kids and you worry about him saying the f bomb..........try going to an NBA game and listen to the players......
Posted at 11:37AM on Mar 25th 2008 by jeff
9. What are the chances of fining the photographer?? Better yet, the paper, magazine, or periodical that they are selling their pictures to. Nothing worse then trying to take the club back knowing a camera may go off at any second.
Posted at 11:37AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Joe
10. Take photo guy's camara, throw it, along with him in the street.
Posted at 11:37AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Rick Thomas
11. I don't go along with the vulgarity but I do think the PGA should do more to control the spectaters.
Posted at 11:38AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Skip
12. I have never understood this hush hush and no moving for golfers and tennis players. These people are supposed to be pros. if they can't perform because some one sneezes, coughs or takes a picture they should not be professionals. If a baseball player can throw a ball 100 miles and hour and hit a 1 foot square while 50,000 people scream and do the wave, a golfer should be able to hit a ball with a stick whlie someone takes a picture. It's a cover up for making a bad shot or venting because aof a previous bad shot. Get a grip you golfers and tennis players, don't whine. If you can't perform because of noise or distractions it should not be a sport.
Posted at 11:38AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Walter Hubert
13. Ingratitude seems to be the word to describe Tiger Woods. The fans who take pictures are basically responsible for his multi-million dollar empire. No fans, no advertising, no sponsorship. Minus those incentives, Tiger Woods would have no fame, fortune or notoriety (in golf) for his angry tirades displayed on national television. I followed Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer around more than one tournament. They did not have the scrutiny from the PGA that pro golfers have today, but they certainly had the pressure of fans huddled around them, taking pictures. I never heard Jack or Arnie curse in front of the fans for missing a shot or for someone taking a picture. If golf is still a gentleman's sport, then Tiger should conduct himself as a gentleman rather than an entitled, angry brat.
Posted at 11:39AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Doc
14. Why cant they leave him alone. It is his JOB. would you your self like someone SNAPPING AWAY AT YOU ALL THE TIME??? PEOPLE WAKE UP>>>>>>>>
Posted at 11:39AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Janice Zyer
15. I think it's about time we stopped babying tennis and golf pros. The slightest sound and they quiver like jelly. A batter in a baseball game has 50,000 fans screaming while he concentrattes on hitting a ball traveling 90+ MPH and is dancing like a leaf in a windstorm. Golfers teeing off are merely trying to hit a ball that is standing still for God's sake.
It's about time they were allowed to frow up.
Posted at 11:39AM on Mar 25th 2008 by weshusky1
16. this reminds me once when i bowled. i had 11 strikes in a row and the crowd was getting my attention off the game and rolled a split. That sucked. I can feel Tiger Woods pain.
Posted at 11:40AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Fred
17. This is a sport like any other. People take pictures of ball players all the time and no one complains. Or in a stadium people make noise to distract a team and during a basketball game people try to distract a foul shot. If it were not for the fans (at the game, watching tv or buying their merchandize) they would not be making that much money. The players should expect it and build it into their game like a bird chirping or that bug that lands on your ball.
If the fan base was not there then the PGA would fold like womans soccer or at the least be on the same pay scale as the LGPA players.
Terry
Posted at 11:40AM on Mar 25th 2008 by terrysohn
18. Why cant they just listen, He's at his job. I wonder how many people would like to have cameras snappy away at the when they are trying to do their work. Wake you stupid people. NO CAMERAS
Posted at 11:40AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Janice Zyer
19. While I agree Tiger is the best golfer of all time. I'm getting a little tired of his excuses when he doesn't win. While he had two bad lies in the bunker in his final round, he forgets the good breaks he seems to always gets. His cussing when he makes a bad shot or when someone distracts him is getting old. He should grow up.
Posted at 11:41AM on Mar 25th 2008 by jDick H.
20. I think it's about time we stopped babying tennis and golf pros. The slightest sound and they quiver like jelly. A batter in a baseball game has 50,000 fans screaming while he concentrattes on hitting a ball traveling 90+ MPH and is dancing like a leaf in a windstorm. Golfers teeing off are merely trying to hit a ball that is standing still for God's sake.
It's about time they were allowed to grow up.
Posted at 11:42AM on Mar 25th 2008 by weshusky1