Life goes on (a little quieter) without Tiger...
I know it's only the second of my blogs but I can't avoid talking about 'you know who' for another week.
He's still the number one golfer in the world and, now maybe more than ever, hard to ignore.
It's not in my interest to comment on what's been happening off the course but I can definitely talk about the changes on and around the course without Tiger.
Some of you may be surprised to hear this, but I haven't noticed much of a change at all!
Tiger is not like most players, he doesn't hang around in the locker room for a chat, he rarely makes an appearance in places like player dining and he doesn't seem to spend too much time at the tournament site working out the kinks in his game, which might have something to do with the lack of kinks...
In fact, unless you are paired with him (something I have not yet experienced) or in one of the groups near him you can easily go a whole week without seeing him at all.
There have been many weeks where my only sighting of Tiger has been from across a fairway or two and all you can normally see is the top of his head over the thousands of fans that are following him.
He attracts crowds like no one else in the game, this being the only real difference that I noticed last week in San Diego. There just did not seem to be the usual crowd chaos that there is on the weekend at a big tournament.
You always want to have the best player in the world competing and it is no secret that when he's playing the crowd numbers and TV ratings soar.
But the Tour still succeeds without him and there are a lot more PGA Tour events that he doesn't play in than ones that he does, so we are all pretty used to playing in 'Tiger-less' events.
I'm currently in Los Angeles for the Northern Trust Open around one of the best courses we play all year, Riviera Country Club.
It is my third week in a row on the road for the West Coast Swing, with Pebble Beach being the final stop next week.
These events are great as I like California and the golf here, but what makes it really nice is that we get to drive.
My girlfriend Meagan, who travels full-time with me, and I decided to load up our car and drive to all of these events this year, which has been great. Any time we get to stay out of airports is a bonus and it makes these tournaments extra inviting to play in.
Three weeks in a row is normally my limit but I decided to play four this early in the season because I like West coast golf. With the US Open being at Pebble Beach later in the year it's a perfect chance to get some early practice rounds in while playing in a great tournament.
I also like all the courses that these tournaments are on so it was tougher for me to choose which one not to play in than it is to just play in them all.
I then have an off week before the Waste Management Open played at the TPC Scottsdale just five minutes from my house.
After the West Coast the PGA Tour heads to Florida, one state that I don't have a great track record in, so I will be taking a couple of weeks off during those events and get to enjoy a whole month at home.
I can't remember the last time I got to sleep in my own bed for four straight weeks - a small thing to be excited about but, after a month of hotels, it sounds fantastic.
After that we need to get our frequent flier numbers ready as it's up in the air for the rest of the year...
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~50~RS~)
I was born and bred in Glasgow, but now I live in Scottsdale, Arizona, and make my living on the US PGA Tour.
I won my maiden Tour event in October 2009 - the first Scot to do so on US soil since Sandy Lyle won the Masters in 1988.
I want to win again and play in this year's Ryder Cup, so I'll be letting you know how I'm going about it, as well as providing you a behind the scenes look at the PGA Tour.
© 2012
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Looks like he's coming back for the Accenture. That's a lot sooner than anyone thought, isn't it? Be interesting to see what sort of year he'll have - I have a hunch that 14 majors might end up being the career number. Hope not - since I'm a fan - but it's just this feeling I have. I certainly think the 4/5 odds available for no majors in 2010 is good value.
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I think Tiger will be a different golfer when he returns. Watching him play at a few tournaments last year I thought he looked distracted and was making over complicated shot ideas because of indecision.
I agree with Nick Faldo, golf can be the rock that Tiger needs to rebuild again.
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I'm a great fan of Tiger .. can't wait to see the gorgeous galleries when he returns !!!
Just hope that common sense, and golf, will prevail in the end !!
Re #1
... will depend on the hecklers ....
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over here in Japan, Asashoryu (the best sumo wrestler ever) has quit the sport because of his 'extra-curricular activities' and the japanese(media) don't like him (he's not japanese) sumo will suffer for it
come back tiger!
nice blog
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Sagamix, are you kidding me, done at 14 Majors, who are you trying to kid? Tiger would be back in more dominant mood, I don't see him kicking and cursing so much, less pump fists, but the guy is angry at the moment of what he has done and what others have said about him. Tom Watsons comments did not help either and well... he was probably saying who the hell is Watson and others to condemn me, with a smirk that he has only won a handful of majors. Tiger will be like a wounded animal on that golf course and watch out my friend, he will have 22 majors before he is done from this sport.
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@ 5 - well I hope you're right - we will see - it's certainly the most compelling narrative in sport at the moment.
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Green with envy, reading about Mr Laird driving along the Californian coast...
Don't you ever get homesick and pine for a rainy day in Glasgow, with a roll & sausage for breakfast?
You say Tiger doesn't do much mingling with his fellow pros. Is there much socialising at tournaments and who are your buddies on Tour?
And what about that Waste Management event - is that run by the mob???
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Hey Martin, I enjoyed your blog, keep it up. A few things though about quiet around the golf course, I was kinda laughing at that. Tiger causes a lot of attention, he does things that you and others except maybe Phil "Lefty" Mickleson may not do on a golf course in your lifetime, the guy us just extrodinary and people don't want to miss a moment of magic that he alone brings to the golf course. Hell, it will continue to be quiet, a walk in the park and you are right, people come to see Tiger and I hope that you are playing alongside him just to see the buzz he generates and take it from me, you will want to feel that again and again and then when you are back playing with the others, it sure is quiet.
What is this waste managegment tourney that you are attending my friend? I hope it will not be a "waste" of your time LOL, sorry about the pun, I had to say that. Going back to my friend Sagmix. I don't think we will see Tiger for a while not this month anyways, I agree with Faldo that he needs to come back, but my hunch tells me it will be in March, maybe at the World Golf Championship at the TPC Green Monster at Doral in Florida or 2 weeks after that at Arnies Invitational Tourney before the Masters, I think he may do both of those. It will be good to see him back though.
One more thing, with all these sponsors ropping him, the guy is still way ahead in sponsorship deals than any other athlete, still grossing $65 million and Martin you are right, the guy only plays a handful of tournies anyways and still walks away with the end of year Fed-Ex Cup. Even Phil says that he won the last tourney and won so much millions, yet Tiger comes second and wins three times as much by taking the Fed-Ex Cup and he only played 15-20% of PGA tournies, yet he wins 65% more than others in those that he enters or at least in the top 5, that is an incredible average, I think I will do that as well if I was as good as he was, that is why when you beat him in a tourney it is extra special, you can say "I beat Tiger" not Kuchar or Leonard, it just does not sound the same or have the same meaning to it, than beating the MAN.
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listen here "gladiatorsport" if that's your real name. You wouldn't want to face me in the gladiator arena cos i'm the tip top ballsio. And let me tell you one thing. I rule the roost around here. Cos the ballsio's name will linger triumphantly for generations to come and you shall bow down to the greatness of ballsio. My name shall be engraved and glorified by any human who has the privilege of knowing of the ballsio. So understand this young one. I am the Ballsio. Don't try to resist the great and magnificent BALLSIO
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Why hasn't the ballsio's comment been posted? Don't you know who you're dealing with? The Ballsio
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Everyone's guess is as good as mine as to when Tiger will reappear, all we can do is wait....All I know is that I hope that it is sooner rather than later, the sport definitely needs him back. I do think however that Tiger has a good few majors left in him yet!
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Well what can I say from the great Ballsio? we all make sensible comments on golf and all of a sudden we have one greater than God himself. One thing is for sure, neither I or any other "TRUE" sport writers here will lower our standards to answer back to your critique and it will be best ignored.
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Hey "gladiatorsport". you could learn many things about sport from the magnificent ballsio. His name strikes fear into the hearts of many on the golf tour as well as those in real life. All those who read this comment, including you will be unable to ignore the allure of the great Ballsio.
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Hi Martin
Great blog and some nice insights inot tour life over the pond...Fantastic to see a Scot competing on the PGA tour and lets hope you can continue your good form and creep into the top 50 and then hopefully you will be on the radar for the Ryder Cup
Aw Ra Best fir rest of the season!
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Hi Martin
Can't believe you've come from Hilton Park to writing a blog on the BBC! It's crazy to think about that trip to The Belfry back in 1997.
So good to hear you're doing well. Everyone over here is rooting for you to get into the Ryder Cup team.
Good luck with the rest of the season.
Gillian and the rest of the family.
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Losing Tiger demonstrates how we ruin things for ourselves with our need for media exposure. What he did is not for me to judge, and I dont need to know. As a result we are without him in golf, the sport loses it's greatest player and suffers as a result.
Now we have lost the England football captain in the same way. We cant have it both ways. Personally, right or wrong, it's no-ones business in my view. I am glad all my actions do not come under such scrutiny !
They are sportsmen and we should leave the reporting on the fields of play, then perhaps we wont send them off the rails when they are exposed for there imperfections. And lose out as fans !!
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Its been the most compelling narrative in sport for a decade....its just got very uncertain now is all...certainly will be some frost from the galleries, if Woods shows some warmth towards them it will dissipate, otherwise there'll be a tension that wont be fun to watch for years to come. Whether it affects his play, who knows, probably not knowing Woods....
Dont like his chances this year, his long game was good last year, his putting poor, some doubt whether the clutch putter of old is gone....not betting against it mind, got more sense than that..Woods is after all one of the most competitive creatures ever to have played sport...
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Sandeep, your right he is one of the most comnpetitive creatures ever, but how much can one person take ? He wont be turning to hug his wife when the 15ft putt drops in anymore. It may seem very strange out there without the old family and usual comfortable reputaion.
As I said, all this media coverage will no doubt affect things. Shame.
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Tigerwhite, it probably will have an effect, certainly for a short while. I was suggesting, like others, that a slightly more receptive, warm attitude to the fans will help dissipate this over time.
His focus and determination will probably get him through the difficult moments, and he wont stop until he's got 18 majors. But you are right to suggest it could all go a bit wrong, i don't doubt that. Its just that now is a time for cooler heads to prevail, and my best guess is that all this hullabaloo will have lasting effects more on his image and perception than on his golf....and there the issue is more getting his putting back on track, otherwise he will contend loads, but turn few of those into wins...
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Martin, was wondering how long you had been using the long putter for?
Also are you aware you have a bit of a following on the 606 golf pages, from right back when nobody knew you, even then posters said why do we never hear about Martin Laird on the BBC golf page and here you are blogging on it!
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Looks like the spectre of cool (everything's relative), damp weather with possibly lift, clean, place for three rounds. Would have thought you'd be among the least deterred by that Martin, here's hoping you enjoy a rewarding week.
Where will you be playing following Phoenix?
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Sandeep, lets hope the fuss dies quickly and the focus is on the golf. Watching that man swing a club is visual poetry, I think we have all missed him. If the rumours are true we wont have long to find out.
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Hi Martin, just so you know I'm not a mad stalker (don't listen to the others!) - we just share the same surname. But obviously sharing the surname and coming from roughly the same area in Scotland I am a big fan!
How have you found the change over to the new grooves? You seem to hit plenty of fairways and greens so I was thinking it would affect you less than most? I've read about David Drysdale and his struggle to find the right clubs since the rule change. He also seems to have left it a bit late to start changing, although I'm not sure if that was down to him or Callaway. How early did you start to use the new clubs and was there a lot of back and forth to TM at the beginning?
And finally, you mentioned that you've never played with Woods so in your eyes who has been the biggest player that you have played with?
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Tigerwhite, indeed, i concur. Weird thinking about John Terry, i man i have always disliked, along similar lines to Tiger Woods, someone i have always loved. Dont hold out much hope for Tiger and the Masters, but hopefully he will play and play well in the remainder...bring it on....
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Diggers - I have been using the belly putter since 2006, I won the first tournament I ever played with it and have never looked back since!
kwiniaskagolfer - After Phoenix I am taking a couple of weeks off before getting back into it at the Transitions Championship and then Bay Hill. Have never met 'The King' before and I am really looking forward to his tournament.
Lairdy - I will be talking about the new grooves and any changes they have brought in my next blog. I would say the biggest player I have played with to date is Geoff Oglivy. He was the perfect playing partner too, as not only is he a great player and nice guy but we have very similar games in terms of we both hit it very high, and almost the identical distance....making club selections a lot easier!
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Martin,
Was just wondering what you make of the changes to the course at pebble beach? Which (if any) do you think will have the biggest impact when the US open is there this year?
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Hi Martin as a proud Scot now in Canada I have been watching your progress on the PGA tour since I followed you on your final round at Glenabby at the Canadian Open (great eagle at 16). Congrats on winning the Shriners. I like many other Scots would love to see you in the Ryder Cup - I am just wondering is this a goal of yours and if so are you considering playing any events on the Eurpean Tour to get enough points to qualify?.
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James L - The changes that I noticed were a few extra tee boxes adding some serious yardage to already difficult par 4s, however we did not play from them last week in the AT&T Pro-Am. The new tee on number 9 looks like it will make a serious difference to that hole.
JohnBoy - I hope that you do see me in the Ryder Cup, for me to get there I need to have a great year and impress Monty! It is a goal of mine and hopefully I can play well the next few months and get in contention for a spot, if I do there is a good chance I will be back in Europe a few times in the summer showing my dedication to making the team.
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Is Tiger "THE MAN" or "THE GOAT?" No matter what really happened...No matter how many times he cheated...No matter if his apology is truly sincere on Friday...This guy will come out smelling like a Rose. I am not saying that I am happy this will happen; far, far, from it. I believe he is one heck of a golfer...Probably the best to ever tee it up. But as far as being a great human being - Tiger has alot of room to grow. I do believe in second chances and I hope and pray that he means everything he says some 30 hours from right now. Many atheletes fall from grace but have the ability to come back. I really think my this time next year the only thing that will be discussed with the name Tiger is major championships.
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do you support a football team?
also, if stoke city played a season in the scottish premier league. where would they finish?
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Well, it does not look good on the golf front from what I saw of his interview, but I do wish him all the best with his re-hab, this goes further than golf and from what I sort of gathered, maybe the US Open in June might be a come back date but who knows. It was a good interview, it did touch my heart, especially at the end when he embraced his mother. Religion is something we all sort of find as a calming influence in our lives and maybe reaching out to where he was first brought up on, may be that calming influence he needs now. I wish him and his family well and look forward to his return, though a ? mark hangs out when that will be.
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