Following the recent disclosure of the severity of Tiger Woods’ knee injury, as well as his announcement that he will miss the remainder of the 2008 season, speculation has been running rampant concerning a potential drop in fan interest in the PGA Tour.
I knew you weren’t faking, Tiger, as some implied. No, I’m not your #1 fan. I’m a Phil guy. But I still had your back. Now, before I forget, what can I do about the slice that rears its ugly head from time to time, seemingly out of nowhere? Kick it around and get back to me when you have time, which I know you’ll have lots of for the next several months. Thanks.
Personally, I believe the reports of golf’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, though at the same time I’m quite sure PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem is thankful that he has the PGA’s season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs already in place, something he has been regularly criticized for instituting. Obviously he never saw this coming, but it has to make him breathe a little easier in light of the developments of the past week, as it will draw at least some level of interest no matter who’s in the hunt. After all, don’t we all like watching sports when the pressure is on?
But the question that begs to be asked is this: Who is going to stop watching golf because Tiger’s on the shelf? The golfers and fans who have always been fans, or the casual fan who is watching because of the allure of Woods? The answer is obvious of course, but it does hit a nerve in today’s coverage of sports. And yes, I have noticed the oxymoronic connotation of “casual fan.” Everyone knows that ‘fan’ is short for fanatic, and the word ‘casual’ is, well, anything but fanatical. But who’s got time for semantics? I’m trying to convey a thought or two here, so just bear with me, please. Those who enjoy the competition of golf, or any sport, will continue to watch, whether the supposed big draw is involved or not.
