How John Daly Would've Handled Tiger's Crash: From Experience
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 1, 2009 10:29 AM EST
28 comments
Yesterday, master of public relations John Daly came out in support of Tiger Woods following his Friday morning accident. Daly said that Woods is the most important player in golf (duh) and that Tiger should share the truth about the cause of the accident.
Daly should know a little something about how to handle an automobile wreck. Earlier this year, John Daly's RV got stuck in a tunnel while passing through Alabama. The debris created by the friction hit another car in the tunnel. The driver claimed personal injuries related to the incident.
So what did Daly do? He Twittered about it. Repeatedly.
Look, I'm not saying that John Daly is a PR genius, but I do find it interesting that Daly handled his incident in such a drastically different way than Tiger has. Daly is a guy who puts it all out there - disappearing gut and all. He Tweets his songs, blogs a decent amount, and is basically his own PR machine.
Consider that's the approach of the guy that is probably in the top five most popular golfers in the US. Tiger's number one, Phil is a modestly distant second, then you could make a case for Fred Couples, John Daly, and Arnold Palmer to round out the modern top five.
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And Daly got barbecued in the media.
I know it’s beyond obvious…but John Daly and Tiger Woods don’t exactly do things the same way… (lol)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Court
Yah, Tiger and JD are different all right. As my grandmother would say of people she was drawn to,…."Daly is a “genuine human being”. No pretense. I respect him for who and what he is. He’s not always graceful, but somehow he enjoys popularity from the everyday people. Woods,….hell, after just one look at him, the temperature in China dropped to below zero ! Very observant people the Chinese. His persona is manufactured and it shows. He’s a phony who is a great golfer. Media made and aloof. He may break every record there is, but people will not adore him as they do JD, or as in the past with Arnold. That is a shame for everybody who loves the game. A real shame. He just doesn’t get it.
by 3IRONS on Dec 1, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah – JD is JD…even when he was a complete drunk on and off the course. He kept plugging away on the course while trying to clean up and went into DT’s during a US Open round. But he had his period when he was toeing the corporate line, too. He sold anything and everything for whoever had a paycheck. And then there were the wives and ex-wives, and the Hooters girls…and strippers…and girls who just wanted to get nekkid and have their picture taken with him. All that and I still love watching the guy hit a golf ball.
Media made ? The guy was a winner long before he turned pro and he has earned his way to the top of the golf world food chain by his play. His stated goal from day one was to top Jack Nicklaus and become the best of all time – not to be everybody’s best buddy. He is Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan with his public persona – stoic and focused on winning.
I agree with you that a lot of what surrounds celebrities is media fueled – but very few people will ever get to know what he’s like with his friends and family. There are all kinds of stories about how funny and pleasant he is behind closed doors at the Ryder and Presidents Cup, and his friends from Stanford and other places tell a different story than we see on and around the PGA Tour.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Two Completely Different Personalities
Obviously, John Daly uses Twitter for promotion, but he also goes out of his way to engage in genuine interaction. I get the sense that he genuinely appreciates fans and that he likes the social interaction (which probably works for a lot of celebrities because it’s a controlled interaction and not like being physically mobbed somewhere).
Tiger Woods on the other hand is much different. In fairness, he’s so far into the stratosphere of celebrity that the demands on his time must be enormous, but we also know that he’s very private and very few people have the chance to interact with him. So, I have no idea what his level of appreciation for the fans is. Sure, he says the right things in the press tent and does a lot for charity, but beyond that, I have no shot of ever personally interacting with him, whereas with someone like John Daly, it’s easy (and fun too).
I don’t attribute any of that to some strategy or plan, just that fact that they’re completely different people.
by Double Eagle on Dec 1, 2009 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I don’t think that Daly has a special plan behind being on Twitter. Just seems to like using it as though he were any other human and not a two-time major champion.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 1, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
part of it IS a “strategy” of sorts. Tiger can’t do things like sign autographs after a round. The crowds in the past have been so large that the Tour was afraid that someone would get hurt. He can’t do local interviews because of the number of requests he would get would be beyond control. He has to charge high appearance fees to keep every Tom Dick and Harry with a hundred grand laying around from calling his agent to get him to come. If he goes out in public, things have to be arranged so that they can get around.
I don’t envy him the lifestyle he has to lead just to have a tiny bit of room to breathe. I’ve had the thought that at least some of this fiasco is because of the way he has had to live the last 13 years and how he has been treated in the media. If we had a halfway sane media, he might not have to close himself off quite so much and he could have just come out and say what happened without knowing that they would take whatever came out of his mouth and run in a thousand different directions.
Daly has been able to be “the man of the people” the last however many years – but when he was THE hot player in the world, he had to protect himself, too. These days, he is popular, but not nearly the way he was back then.
Mickelson lives behind walls at home. He has handlers. He has people who take care of the day to day phone calls. He has to limit interviews….yada yada yada.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but...
…there are ways to interact that don’t involve danger or planning. Tiger could interact on Twitter or Facebook or he could comment on WaggleRoom if he wanted. He doesn’t even need to leave his compound for that. I’m not saying he should do any of that or that he owes anyone anything, just that he easily could if he were inclined to interact with fans.
Clearly his relationship with the media was destroyed before it started with the Buckwheat joke. But his desire for privacy goes way beyond that. It’s his personality. Why was he so secretive about his leg during the U.S. Open? It’s not like there’s an opposing linebacker waiting to hear where to lay a hit on. He does press conferences and talks to the media sometimes. He could easily open up more just during those times. Even the way he has handled the current situation, which is his prerogative, has shown his innate desire for extreme privacy.
Sometimes I get the sense that he is driven to compete and win and that he views the fans as just kind of a necessary thing to deal with along the way. I have little doubt, though, that even if he was an anonymous nobody, that he would still be an intensely private person.
by Double Eagle on Dec 1, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He posts on TigerWoods.com. Just a personal opinion, I think he has about as little use for Twitter and Facebook as he does for a hole in his head.
Secretive about the leg ? There was no secret. He said before the tournament that the doctors told him he couldn’t damage the knee any worse. I dont’ think he knew about the stress fracture…and he’s not going to whine in the media about his knee.
I agree with you 100% on his private nature. He has never been much of one to toot his own horn…past the fist pumps, of course. He gives millions to his foundations, and nothing ever gets out – why should we expect him to run to the media when he wrecks his car ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A little revisionist history
The extent of the damage to his knee and his leg was NOT known publicly until after the tournament had concluded. Here’s an article from ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3450453
The relevant passage:
Woods revealed Wednesday he has been playing for at least 10 months with a torn ligament in his left knee, and that he suffered a double stress fracture in his left leg two weeks before the U.S. Open.
He went on to say that he kept it private to keep the focus on the U.S. Open, but in fact, the focus was squarely on his leg (secondary to the battle with Rocco on Sunday and Monday, of course). By saying nothing the rumor mill continued to crank at full speed, but had he revealed the information earlier, it’s doubtful that the focus would have been much different and it might have even diminished because once the facts are known, then the rumor mill can slow down and people move on.
Regarding Twitter and Facebook, those are just examples. The point is, if he wants to interact with fans, he can do it without leaving his couch in a myriad of different ways.
I don’t expect him to run to the media when he wrecks his car. But if he’s going to bother saying anything in the first place (via a statement on his website), why not just say what happened? He was critical of the unfounded rumors, which he should be, but the easiest way to put that to rest is just to put the truth out there. One way or another, it’s eventually going to come out. If he wants to keep it private, then just keep it private. Issuing a cryptic statement is not going to diffuse the situation and if anything, it just intensified it.
by Double Eagle on Dec 1, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a very positive way to look at it – I just see too many examples of the media running roughshod over people who tell the truth.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe releasing no statement might have been a better choice.
If it was all just some oopsie fender-bender and his statement filled in people why/how it happened, then the story would have died already.
At this point, even if it was an innocuous fender-bender, the facts don’t add up so the media and fan rumors are going at full force. But, if there’s actually more to the story, like if there was some kind of disturbance or something, then when the truth eventually comes out, he’s really going to get hammered by the media because, as you know, they’re a little on the vindictive side and his cryptic statement and choice to not talk to police will be twisted into some kind of attempt to hide the truth. If he came out with an explanation up front, then it’s news for a day or two and then just fades away.
I have no problem with his desire for privacy, I just think the best plan in a situation like this is to either say absolutely nothing or to put the whole story out there and take the brief media punishment because he’s going to be “no commenting” questions on it for years to come.
by Double Eagle on Dec 1, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“some kind of disturbance” ? I can see it now – headlines read…“Riot at Isleworth Quelled by Woods’ Courageous Ramming of Fire Hydrant”…or “Civil Unrest in Isleworth Forces Woods’ SUV Into Fire Hydrant and Tree” :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Or Maybe...
… “Elin drills Tiger in face with 9-iron for cheating, Tiger crashes into hydrant after passing out behind the wheel while trying to escape.”
Oops! There I went cranking the rumor mill again! ;-D
by Double Eagle on Dec 1, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The truth ???
The Woods camp was lying to the media for weeks about his knee. Haney was releasing statements saying “Woods was swingin’ as good as I’ve ever seen him”. It was all BS. I had a medical source who said there was no way in hell Woods would make 36 holes ! Well, he gutted it out anyway. But since then, I believe nothing coming from Woods Inc. Too much smoke and mirrors. The only thing in golf I believe,…100% of the time,…IS THE BALL !!! It never lies . Watchin’ Woods live on 3 occassions in 2009, the ball was telling me things that most do not pick up on. There’s a huge difference between this TW, and the guy who won 14 majors. Just as Hogan was never the same after his crash. The ball says Woods is a fraction of what he was. Next year, I’ll be listening to the ball again, because after all, Woods either says nothing at all, or blows smoke up your butt. Watch the ball fella’s, and learn. Even Woods cannot silence that truth…………..z.
by 3IRONS on Dec 1, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
don’t forget…Hank Haney is also the guy who said that Charles Barkley’s swing problems were all physical. :-)
I’m not willing to write the guy off as far as his game goes. He was a different golfer after the swing change in 2000, and again after 2004, and again following the knee surgery. I am in the camp that believes that knee surgery like what he had is still a two year process.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Write him off ?
Nooooo, he’s still the guy to beat. But his mechanics are inconsistent and suspect. The knee has neccessitated the swing change, and I believe the changes have resulted in less speed and loss of trajectory control. I doubt he will regain the speed. Trajectory/distance control will not be as good even with the knee at 100%. When he trusts the swing changes, he plays very well. When he doesn’t, and tries to force things, it usually falls apart. Still the man in my book, but needs his A game to win. Whereas before he could win with B or C depending on the field. We’ve already seen this in the Majors and top events in ‘09. The playin’ field looks a bit more level these days,…not entirely a bad thing for the game.
by 3IRONS on Dec 1, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
all that...and he won 6 times
As they stand now – there’s no arguing with you – but he’s in the middle of his swing changes…or at least he was at the end of the season. As it was with the other swing changes, when he gets them right – he has had a nasty habit of dismantling fields. He wins between the ears.
Three of the four majors are at courses he has dominated in the past – could be a very interesting year.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the new and improved TW ????
court,….yea, they all said he’d dismantle the field at Bethpage again this year too,…didn’t happen. He’s clearly not what he used to be in a lot of areas. Still rolls the rock pretty well though. 6 wins this year, but only 1 of any significance,…Bridgestone. That’s a far cry from the 11 of 13 he won before the ACL surgery. He’s lost a step or two, but he’s still a formidable player,…just not what he used to be in the big events………………….z.
by 3IRONS on Dec 1, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“THEY” say that every time he picks up a golf club. “They” say the most outrageous things just in case one or two of them come true and they can pat themselves on the back. The ones that don’t come true get swept into the trash can.
Take a look at how Vegas and Ladbrokes set the odds in any tournament Woods is in. There are still people who put money on him winning the Grand Slam every year…and the odds are never all that long that he’ll do it.
This wasn’t the first year the guy didn’t win a major. His entire schedule is against the deepest fields around. He doesn’t play the John Deere or the Fall Series.
He won 6 times in the middle of knee rehab and a new swing – I’m just saying that I’m not willing to write him off or say that he’s on his way down yet.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 2, 2009 10:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fans? What Fans????
Someone needs to tell Tiger he has fans. Court, I do understand the “logistical” problems that Tiger’s popularity causes, but he really needs to do a better job of showing appreciation to his fans. I was at the Masters this year for the Tuesday practice round. It was just me and 30 thousand of my closest friends and it was cold….low 50’s it think. Most of my friends were just like me…….fly in for one day and fly home. So we are all watching the practice rounds when word filters through the galleries that Tiger just showed up, but wasn’t going to practice. Phil, VJ, Tom Watson, Stricker, Leonard, Westwood, and many many others managed to practice, but not Tiger. As you can imagine he was called every name in book and I was really surprised at the high level of anger. If Tiger really cared about the fans, he could have played nine holes and made all the one “dayers” happy. I’ve seen him before and could have cared less, but I did feel bad for those who were very disappointed at not getting to see Tiger.
by em66 on Dec 1, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure ! All that would be great and nice. No doubt about it.
But do you know WHY he didn’t practice that day ? Was he just there to check in ? (players DO have to check in in person at Augusta National) Did he have media and/or corporate obligations that day ? (or personal) I have no idea what his agenda is from day to day.
Then again, when he plays his practice rounds at ANY tournament, he is on the course at the crack of dawn – not mid morning, not noon, not the afternoon. His practice rounds are for him to get ready to make a run at another title.
Maybe the reason Tiger Woods wins like he does is because he is more focused on winning than he is on other things. How often do we question Mickelson’s committment to winning, but don’t think about how often the distractions and trappings take his focus off the game ? Tiger doesn’t go about his business as an “entertainer” – he is driven to win – end of story.
You and I agree that it would be nice if he was the big party guy high fiving the galleries and playing a quick 9 so all his fans could get see him – but that just doesn’t seem to be him.
Just add him to the list with Nicklaus and Hogan.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone knows
that Tiger plays early. That’s one of the reason 29 of the 30 thousand fans are packed in against the gate waiting for it to open. This was my 2nd time to go. The first time we were there early, with everyone else and when the gates opened it was a mass rush to find Tiger who was just starting his back nine. Everyone that wanted to see him, get pictures and watch him play went home happy. You’re correct about not knowing his agenda, but I do know the agenda of most of the fans was to see TW. It wouldn’t have taken much effort to please those fans.
by em66 on Dec 1, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not disagreeing with you. And I have no more clue than anybody else outside the ropes why he is or does things the way he does.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
OMG
John Daly has no reputation to lose, he lost it years ago. Haven’t we seen the term “train wreck” applied to him more times than we can count? It’s like asking Elizabeth Taylor the secret of happy marriage…. Borrowing from our old friend Randall Mell and his penchant to quote song lyrics, over there at that “other blog” “When you ain’t got nothin’, you got nothin’ to lose” – Bob Dylan
by pingforever on Dec 1, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
and yet, people flock to see him and love the guy.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Count me in that group
And anyone that doesn’t have some friend or relative that could be considered a “train wreck” is a rare find. I firmly believe that Daly is a generally good person and his past problems are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things.
by Double Eagle on Dec 1, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you said it
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 1, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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