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Mike Celizic

NBCSports.com contributor Mike Celizic provides his unique slant as he takes an offbeat look into the world of sports beyond the box scores.



Once again, golf is must-watch TV

Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2009 7:35 PM

I have to admit, I didn’t think he’d make the putt. Yeah, yeah, I know. Stupid of me to doubt that Tiger Woods could hit a little 12-footer with the match on the line, especially at Bay Hill with Arnie himself watching from inside the ropes at greenside.

But admit it. A lot of you didn’t believe he’d do it either. You couldn’t have. The guy had his knee rebuilt last June. He’d played just twice coming into Bay Hill, and all he had to show for it was a ninth-place finish. His putting was off. He’s still shaking off the rust. Yes, he’s great, but he’s not Superman. Is he?

I’ll answer that rhetorical question. The answer is no, he’s not Superman. He’s better. Superman had Kryptonite to keep him humble. So far, nothing’s been discovered that can slow down Woods.

Anyway, when that tournament-winning putt dropped in the heart of the cup and Tiger went into his hug-a-caddy routine and old Arnie grinned with delight and the gallery busted a lung roaring its astonishment, my reaction went along these lines: “Holy bleeping blank. I don’t bleeping believe this blankety-bleep.” I imagine that Phil Mickelson, watching at home, said something similar.

With more vigorous words substituted for the blanks and bleeps, that’s the email I fired off to the guy I was trading messages with down the stretch – once it was clear UNC was going to paste Oklahoma, and we were free to switch to Tigervision. Would Sean O’Hair choke?

Would Tiger’s missed tee shot on 17 doom him? Would he make that putt for his 66th lifetime win?

O’Hair kinda choked on the back nine. But he got the par he needed at 17 to regain a share of the lead. And he did nothing wrong on the 18th, hitting a good drive and a good approach. He just neglected to make his putt with Tiger staring at the 12-footer that would win it.

In any of the past 10 years, I would have given it to him. In match play, I’d probably say, “Pick it up. It’s good,” because with him, it’s always good. But it’s more than nine months since that win at Torrey Pines and the eight months without playing that followed. Nobody, not even Woods, should be able to get all the way back that quickly.

I don’t know what the rest of the Tour feels about it. I suspect it’s a mixture of awe, envy and despair. But I know what golf fans think about the latest miracle finish for Tiger: Golf is must-watch television again.

And one more thing: Welcome back, Tiger. And thanks for reminding us why we missed you.

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Comments

His father continues to whisper in his ear "Let the legend grow." Of course you question whether it's possible for him to grow that legend over and over and over again. But, he does. And we are reduced to screaming profanities at our hero. Is there anyone in history who handles pressure better than Tiger? He's the only man in my life who never lets me down. For that, I'll always be grateful.

Debbie (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 2:10 PM)

I have to say that, while it's true that Tiger is undoubtedly the greatest player in the game right now, and probably of all-time, to hear people say he is a phenominal "athlete" kinda makes me cringe a bit.  First off, golf is a "game", and though there may be athletes participating in that game, it's not saying much when you compare Tiger's athleticism against, say, Craig Statler.  Golf is a game of accuracy and precision....but so is bowling.  It's simple to tell a game from an actual sport...if you can play it while drinking a beer or smoking a cigar, it's a game!

Just my opinion, of course, and I'm sure I'll be rebutted in short order for these views.  I'm not saying Tiger isn't great at what he does.  I'm saying that what he does shouldn't be considered a sport, with true athletes.

Devil's Advocate, Richmond, VA (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 2:56 PM)

Tiger, is no doubt a good golfer, but he needs to learn that you do not throw your clubs anytime. He is a Pro and no one pro or otherwise should ever throw clubs. As far as the great comeback is concerned, look at the field no one was there!

C. Jones, Cape CoraL, Florida (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 3:15 PM)

Johnny Miller has earned his stripes.  In the 70s, he was second fiddle only to Jack.  He won tournaments for almost a quarter century, so I think he's earned the right to call them his way.  And his comments are not out-of-line.  He expects more from the great players based on their individual abilities, so when they fail to deliver those expectations, Miller calls them out.  He was not the player Tiger is, nor Jack or Arnie, but he's top ten and generally knows what they are thinking before they pull the trigger.  To me, that's what makes the game interesting to hear and watch.  The analysis.  I hate listening to announcers who fawn over everything a great athlete does anyway.  It's boring.  So, props to Miller.  Without him, the whole lot of announcers would be hacks who never elevated the game.

Pliskin (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 3:38 PM)

Thanx for the great blog column.  I would like to see (read) an update regarding the NBC network TV ratings verus the other shows...especially after 7:00p EST against CBS's 60 Minutes.  

M. T. Whitley (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 3:42 PM)

The ratings were great, but I had to watch Tiger's triumphant return with the mute button on.  Johnny Miller's fawning over Tiger Woods, now borders on "stalker" esque.  We all know how great Tiger is, enough of the "man crush".     He takes every opportunity to take swipes at guys that either didn't make the telecast or not even in the field.  (notable the swipe at Sergio near the end of the broadcast Sunday).. I would much rather hear Roger Maltby and this week even Peter Jacobsen did a great  job for NBC.   They are more insightful, without the slurping.  Speaking of Jacobsen,  I applaud him for being the man he is.  A lesser man would punched Miller out after winning the Sr. Open a few years back.  Johnny KILLED him all weekend, saying that guys like Jacobsen (guys that have fun on the course) didn't have what it takes to win an Open.  He said the same thing about Rocco last year.I guess some guys are not so lucky as to have 15 guys fall down infront of him on the back nine of the US open.

David Kurtz, Preston, Idaho (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 3:53 PM)

Johnny is not that bad. It just his ego gets in the way. In his time, he was by far a great golfer. No one but him has finished a US Open up with a 63, not even Tiger. At times I do get that feeling of just a little jelousy creeping into his voice. He still knows golf and for the most part hits every call on the head. But no matter how good he was, he hardly makes a pimple on Tigers ass when comparing each others games. As an announcer, you could not ask for better. Just because he looks dumb sometimes does not make him bad. I remember I did something stupid about a year or so ago. As far as Tiger yesterday, been there,done that. The man is the best who has played. I told my wife if I needed someone to make a 10 ft. putt to save my life, please call Eldrick.
Gary......Dallas,Tx

Gary Price , Dallas,Tx. (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 4:03 PM)

"Nae wind, nae golf"--traditional Scottish saying.
"Nae Tiger, nae golf watching" contemporary sports fan saying

va, seattle, wa (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 4:57 PM)

Tiger Woods for President in 2012.    

Kim Perkins, Sitka, Alaska (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 8:28 PM)

Why all the Johnny Miller hate?  He is the best commentator in golf and he knows what he is talking about.  As others have pointed out, O'Hair *would* have been okay if he had just parred the last three holes as Miller opined.  All commentators have their detractors so I guess this is just normal personal taste.

Rich H, St. Pete, FL (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 9:31 PM)

Tiger is without doubt the finest, most accomplished, most dedicated professional athlete in the world today.  I am privileged to share our planet with him -- and I'm not a golfer.

stan Nelson
Dallas.

Stanley F. Nelson, Dallas, TX (Sent Monday, March 30, 2009 11:28 PM)

As a sports fan period, Im just gratefull to live during the times of Tiger Woods. I'm not one to lap up atheletes including Tiger, but this guy is doing what I'ver never seen in some 40 years of sport watching and participation.

Mark, Nashville, Tn (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:08 AM)

Tiger is simply the best golfer today. My usual Sunday's garden chores was suspended because Tiger Woods was in the final pairing. I am glad he pulled it off. Masters, here he comes!!!!

Matt Mazon, San Diego, Ca (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:59 AM)

Tiger is simply the best golfer today. He will be the favorite for the Masters. Good luck! Tiger

Matt Mazon, San Diego, Ca (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 1:02 AM)

the worst thing that happened to O'Hair on Sunday was being paired with Tiger- I mean how many players that play against Tiger on Sunday wind up winning the tournament? not too many; so you knew when the day started that chances were good that Sean O'Hair might not have the kind of day he was hoping for. Tiger Woods has that mental edge that others players don't have; while pressure makes other players knees buckle, Tiger relishes it; he thrives on it and it is an incredible experience just to watch him make those  seemingly unmakable putts or unbelievable shots. I will say this, after Tiger won at Torrey Pines I didn't watch another golf tournament until Tiger returned to the PGA tour. that's how important he is to that tour; he is their life's blood.

Marilyn, Farmington Hills, Mi. (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:08 AM)

I agree who watches golf when Tiger isnt playing and why not replace Johnny Miller!A prejudice, Tiger hater..whats his problem.

Martha Dillon (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:55 AM)

Tiger is the man.  Dedication and confidence.  He owns them both and they are the true keys to success in golf...

sir charles rogers, ar (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:49 AM)

I grew up watching Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino, Watson, Crenshaw and others.  No one, and I mean no one, created the excitement or the following that Tiger Woods does.  Arnie's Army may come in second, but it's by a wide margin.  I'm an avid golfer, but I haven't watch golf since the 2008 US Open, until this weekend. Unbelievable!  Can't wait for the Masters!  

DS, Lancaster, PA (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 1:09 PM)

Tiger simply makes golf more exciting. He is the only player out there who can be 6 shots out of it and still be on the back of everyone's minds. He makes the huge shots and clutch putts. History in the making.

http://www/a-gamegolf.com

Jay Bee (Sent Wednesday, April 01, 2009 4:23 AM)

He is amazing!  The Nike commercial had it right, all celebrations and fun times while Woods was out, but now he's back, and the rest of the tour has said a collective, "#@*%, it's over for us."

GO TIGER!!!

PR, San Antonio, TX (Sent Thursday, April 09, 2009 9:31 AM)



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