You trade your passion for glory

The truth comes out eventually – and I think Tiger Woods is about to discover that fact the hard way.

The Tiger Woods snowball just keeps on rolling… His wife, Elin Nordegren, has purchased a home in Sweden and the rumour mill is tripping over itself with reports of an impending divorce.

Another corporate sponsor (Accenture) has dropped Woods hot on the heels of his most personal admission to date. He posted the following statement on his website three days ago:

“I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done, but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What’s most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.”

So far, 10 women – including a porn star and a cocktail waitress – claim to have had sexual relationships with the man whose formerly squeaky clean image was used to sell everything from golf clubs to shaving cream. And his admission of infidelity suggests that he has been unfaithful to his wife with at least one of them (or perhaps someone who isn’t on the list?) in the past.

I wonder why he didn’t come out with the facts from the start? I wonder if his fans would be more sympathetic if he had been straight with the world from the beginning? All this cloak and dagger stuff, with the spin doctors and the PR campaign to try to minimise the damage… Seriously, doesn’t he know that the truth comes out eventually?

There’s that saying – “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” – and in this case, I think the gigantic Mr Woods will find that the journey to the ground is a long and painful one. ♦ JP

The title of this post is borrowed from the lyrics of Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor.