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Spectator Infiltrates Tiger Woods Press Conference for Autograph

He pretended to be a member of the media in order to get an autograph.. From Alex Miceli at Golf World:

In one of the best cases of chutzpah in modern media centers, a fan sneaked into Tiger Woods’ news conference Sunday after The Memorial and sat amongst the ink-stained wretches, two rows from Tiger, waiting for a chance to get a Woods autograph.

After 19 questions, the guy could wait no longer.

“Jack’s going to hate me for this,” the interloper said, standing. “Tiger, congratulations for winning The Memorial. I’m a normal person that snuck in here with a patron badge. I was just wondering if I could get an autograph.”

After a lot of stunned media looked at one another, Tiger snickered before red-faced security staff escorted the man out of the interview room.

Nicklaus was classic with his response.

“If he’s got that much guts, he can get it, right?”

And then the patron’s badge was passed up to Woods, who signed it and passed it back to security to deliver to the very gutsy patron.

Since he was so sucessful in the media room, if I was there I would have given the person a chance to impersonate Ron Sirak or Doug Ferguson.  Who knows, they may have done a good job of reporting the tournament.  Cue the sarcastic laughter.

From personal experience at the two tournaments I have blogged, the security person by the media room door was always the same. After the first day they would recognize me and not ask to see my credential. 

At the ADT Championship, there were two ways of getting in the media center.  The main entrance where a guard was, and a back entrance door alongside the interview room.  This was next to a parking lot that was used by officials and tournament cars.  All someone would have to do was walk past the signs warning not to go further (but didn't have any guards around) and get to the interview room via the parking lot.

If the LPGA ever reads this post, they probably won't appreciate my sharing these secrets.  Well, I could have said something worse.  Like what if a woman tried to impersonate....never mind. If you want to keep non media members out of the press area, all exits and entrances need to be covered.

Hat tip: Geoff Shackelford

FanPosts are written by Waggle Room members. Viewpoints expressed do not necessarily reflect those of WaggleRoom.com and its editor, Ryan Ballengee. The Waggle Room member whose byline appears with the FanPost is solely responsible for its content.

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don’t forget the FBI guy who is supposed to be keeping an eye on things around the media tent.

in their defense, however, the media tent gets very full very fast when Tiger goes in – especially after a win. (hey – that rhymes !) It’s easy to see how a guy could sneak into the stream of people going in and out.

Thankfully, he was better behaved than the dolt who ran onto center court during the French Open final and put his hands on Federer. Three weak guards let him get away – but the big guy at Soderling’s end put a nice tackle on the idiot. Personally, I think the guard went too easy on him – that one deserved a full body slam followed by an old school Las Vegas “interigation” in a back room. McEnroe was funny – “At least this one has his clothes on.”

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jun 8, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

or “interrogation” for those of you who can spell. :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jun 8, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

From my lpga days

There were never throngs of reporters for any interview. Even when it was Natalie Gulbis. I suppose some people need their eyes checked.

After two or three days in the media room, I’d recognize on sight 6-10 of the people there but if someone slipped their selves past security, they would more than likely fool me.

by Bill Jempty on Jun 9, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That’s fantastic. Good luck to him.

by AussieGolfer on Jun 8, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That’s pretty rad that Jack saw it for what it was and got him the autographs.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jun 9, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh yeah – Jack saw it as a chance to needle Tiger ! (lol) if this had happened when Nicklaus was 33, he might have been the one to call for the guy to be tossed out.. Nicklaus gets to be the “grandfather” character now that Tiger is the big daddy and has to deal with all the stuff from the “kids”.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jun 9, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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