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 7 of 41)
121. I was at the Buick Invitational in San Diego and a no-name golfer got upset because NBC set up a t.v. camera on a lift at one of the holes. It was a distraction to him so he actually told them to move the whole thing. So I guess Tiger can do what Tiger does.
Posted at 12:38PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Ray
122. Only other time, I can remember, a player being distracted by something while on the field was Jaba Chamberlain. When he was pitching in the playoffs last year against the (Cleveland Indians) and was swarmed by some sort of mosquito or flies. That should only happen to Tiger lets see him whine and cry about that. Wonder who he would blame?
Posted at 12:38PM on Mar 25th 2008 by casey
123. Several thoughts. One, while Tiger will certainly end up being considerd one of the greatest golfers to have played the game, he has been very pampered. Remember when it took 5-6 men to move a huge boulder in one tournament to allow him a shot. It was amazing that they didn't bring in a backhoe to make the effort easier. Never seen that done before but it was Tiger! Anyone else would have had to take an unplayable lie, one stroke penalty and a drop.
Fan decorum has eroded in all sports. Tennis used to have a certain level of propriety but that has digressed in recent years on the part of both players and fans. In a sense golf is the last frontier of some supposed standards of behavior for both players and fans. Anyone who has ever swung a golf club whether a pro or the worst hacker on the planet who has any knowledge about the game knows you don't talk or move during someone's swing and that includes taking pictures. That is absolute! Tiger shouldn't be dropping "F-bombs" but any fan or professional photographer taking pictures while someone in the middle of their swing on the tee should be immediately thrown off the course!
Posted at 12:39PM on Mar 25th 2008 by fleur1969
124. I once heard; "It's called golf because all the other four letter words were used up" lol
Posted at 12:39PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Myron Moreno
125. I'm I so f.... tired of hearing how golfers need to concentrate so f...ing much. I've never seen a golfer who complains as much as he does. Tiger is constantly stepping out because of some noise. You don't see other golfers whine at all. Fine him, suspend him, do something to shut him up.
Posted at 12:40PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Don Goers
126. If he is the best golfer in the world, a photographer flash should not bother him one bit. Golfers are a bunch of wimps. If you want fans, deal with it. Any other athlete is doing what they do best with fans cheering constantly and they can still concentrate.
Posted at 12:40PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Deeer
127. if anyone should be fined, it should be the photog. they are no better than the celeb photogs in hollywood. someone has to put a stop to it. i see it as a serious invasion of privacy. if tiger was mad, i'm sure he had good reason to be.
Posted at 12:40PM on Mar 25th 2008 by mike
128. Since when is Tiger exempt from using common sense? I don't care what the situation. Throw the perps out and bar them from ever coming into the contests again. Tiger is a potty-mouth like none other in sports. I never watch him in action nor will I. I remember when he was starting out and his anger was too great then. I figured as he grew in the sport, he might have the decency to put a lock on his potty mouth!
Posted at 12:41PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Kay Nottus
129. Tiger Woods is, and consistently has been an elegant role model for his sport, his country, his ethnic background, and the American Dream...
If an occasional obscenity escapes him while performing his miraculous talent, even the sanctimonius should cut him some slack...
Posted at 12:41PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Bill
130. The is just another reason for the haters to jump all over Tiger. He gets ripped for not playing enough, he gets ripped for winning too much, he gets ripped because he doesn't use the same equipment Jack and Arnie did. Get over it! He's the best and he's not going any where. If you think he ruined the sport, take up something else and quit whinning. And lastly, it's not Tiger's fault that no one wants pictures of the other players. Maybe if they played half as good as Tiger, someone might actually snap a picture of them! Tiger is a tremendous asset to the game and has tremendous respect for its history. Too bad so many photogs and fans DO NOT!
Posted at 12:42PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Dave
131. I've got an idea....a quiet camera without a flash, hidden in the fly perhaps. I mean, they have to take pictures of Tiger swinging...or how else are we going to get images of Tiger "Playing Golf" Because walking, or standing, or scratching his head, or riding in a golf cart isn't playing Golf. "Swinging" is "playing golf".
Posted at 12:43PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Glen
132. Almost all major athletes are overpaid. It spoils them. If pay for professional athletes were capped at what the President of the United States gets paid that should be fair.
Posted at 12:43PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Robert Alexander
133. If you are a golf fan, and you should be if your making a comment on this, there is no excuse for spectators taking a picture during that crucial time. There are other times and places to be taking pictures. I don't blame Tiger one iota for being upset.
Posted at 12:44PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Susthort
134. I'm sorry people...but some of you are unfairly negative. Tiger is a champion...and NO...he's not on steroids you idiot...and you know who you are. Seriously, we all have our trigger points...there is something that makes each of us lose our cool...and I don't care who you are...you know it's true. When someone is trying to do his job, to EXCEL at his work, and is disrupted by an obnoxious person snapping pictures in his face, well of course he'll get angry. I don't blame him a bit. He's playing for MILLIONS of dollars, and he's very serious about his trait. Give him a break. I hated golf until I saw Tiger play...and I've been addicted ever since. You go Tiger! I love you...
Posted at 12:44PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Storm
135. He has all the right to be upset...I dont play golf...but i know concentration is key....and man...all that $$$$$$$$$$$ on the line!!!! id be fuuurious! lmao
Posted at 12:45PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Manolo
136. I DON'T WAtch golf,a waste of time, especially that jerk.
Posted at 12:45PM on Mar 25th 2008 by mike
137. I'm sure he couldn't care less if someone took pictures of him as he's walking down the fairway or celebrating after a putt. But why do it when he is about to strike the ball? Any golfer would be upset. Hitting a golf ball is one of the hardest things to do in sports. If you want a picture, turn off your flash.
Posted at 12:45PM on Mar 25th 2008 by catchermar
138. In no other sport is the crowd allowed to be so close to the athlete as in Golf. As for the photographer, if they are pros, they know not to take photos during the swing. If they take one anyway, PGA should remove their press credentials for the year. If amature, toss them from the entire event. The PGA needs to be somewhat responsible if they are delving out fines.
Posted at 12:46PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Cos
139. Quiet is necessary for the concentration and focus of the players to do their job properly. It isn't an ego thing. He will gladly pose for pictures off the course. Like in live theater, cameras should be banned.
Posted at 12:46PM on Mar 25th 2008 by nj10r
140. Get a clue you idiots. The ones that should be banned are the idiots that snap the pictures while he's swinging at the ball. Ban them from the course
Posted at 12:46PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Mike