Feel Free to Bash Johnny Miller Now, If You Weren't Already
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 7, 2010 11:08 AM EST
in Golfiness
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PrintIn light of the strong sentiment surrounding my post the other day concerning the turning public sentiment around Tiger Woods and his potential return, it seemed relevant to back that up with what Johnny Miller said on-air at the Northern Trust Open on Saturday.
"His integrity’s been shattered. More importantly, he’s injured his marriage and his family and it’s going to be tough for him. President Obama did say something. He said `I’m a strong believer that anybody can look within himself, find their flaws and fix them.’ I hope Tiger, I’m sure he’s heard that, knows he has a heck of a road to hoe to get that respect and integrity back and build the game back up again."
Aside from the "road to hoe" pun, what he said really hasn't been different than what anyone else has said.
Now, go read the comments on Golf Channel's version of the story. The overwhelming majority of the 25 are bashing Miller (and Watson, still) about what was said. It is important to keep in mind that it is often a very small minority of total viewers, but the vitriol is worth noting.
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Well,
I was the one to report here what Miller had said about 2 minutes before…Now, remember, this answer is in response from a DIRECT QUESTION FROM HICKS….Given Millers religious background, and his putting family first, this didn’t surprise me in the least….I also wasn’t offended by what Watson said…Ryan, you seemed to take exception to it…Why?…both men were speaking their minds…I think we still have that right here in this country…Get dissed in return?…sure, that’s called give and take….we do it here all the time, just ask Ping,OEG,TX, EM,Wendy, et al….I found it refreshing, there was no PC garbage involved….STUB, and oh yea, Colts rule..
How did you figure I have a problem with what Johnny said? Cause that’s not even close to right.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 7, 2010 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Johnny Miller is obliged to make those remarks. Just as Jim Nantz did at the Farmer’s and Sir Nick Faldo did in Hawaii. It’s part of Johnny’s “brand” to be blunt and over the top. Now everyone has had there say, perhaps next week at Pebble Beach we’ll be able to move beyond the Tiger Woods story….as unlikely as that sounds.
No, don't ask me. I don't like being on the same continent as
Deep Thinker, let alone the same blog post. He doesn’t “figure,” he just like s to make waves … ripples actually, but there should still be an e-spray for him.
There are only a few childish commenters on this site that try to disrupt the wealth of friendly, adultlike discussion, debate, or fun conversation, and usually a good mix thereof.
They’ll just keep defending their right to free screech, and get their occasional warnings, till the rational folk gradually find new posting grounds.
Pretty sure you are when there's a pancake or seven
on said gridiron, no?
No...still not a fan.
I used to play it when I lived there, high school too. The game is too drawn out to me…like a game of chess. As for the Superbowl, it seems BBQ’s and beer are more important than the game itself…I can do both of those nicely.
Played Rugby league here
for 6 years…2nd row, sometimes blind side prop. They are all so much bigger and faster than my time..at 13 stone then I wouldn’t be big enough these days. As much as I enjoyed it, I wish I had started golf in my 20’s…I wouldn’t have these old wounds i put up with today, lol.
Public Perception !
Miller’s and Watson’s comments carry just a tad more credibility ,regarding Woods impacting the game, than your average Joe. Their opinions mirror my long held belief that Woods has harmed the game and that he needs to shape up and be a man about it. I also agree with Phil in that Woods has much more important things to deal with right now than golf. The big question on my mind is "Will Woods put his family first, or will his lack of sincerity dominate as in the past ? "That will be answered on how he stages his return. It will take a huge effort before on his part. So far, all we have is a man in hiding. That takes no effort at all……………………………………..Z.
you're still away,...choke on it !
Actually...
I would say that will be answered in how he lives his life off the golf course going forward and has nothing at all to do with how or when he returns to work. The short term of “how he stages his return” means nothing compared to what he does off the course over the longer term; that’s what will determine his success as a father and husband.
Roll Tide !!
Also
I’m not at all convinced that Tiger has somehow “damaged the game”. Yes, he’s damaged his reputation and hurt his family, but how does this personal matter hurt the game of golf? I would argue that it has nothing at all to do with golf. As far as I can see the only thing damaged is TV ratings while he’s not playing.
Roll Tide !!
Come on now Tigerhead, use your brain. If Tiger is the most important figure on the PGA Tour(and he is) and the PGA Tour total purse has increased by about $100 million in the 15 or so years that Tiger has been affiliated with the PGA Tour, then if Tiger’s reputation and/or marketability has been damaged(and it has), then certainly you can imagine that the PGA Tour has also suffered from Tiger’s indiscretions.
Niblic
I agree with that, but clearly Tiger has still done far more to benefit the tour than hurt it. With that said, and perhaps I’m wrong but I think what 3irons and others are referring to is harming the games honor, which I don’t think he’s done. Anyway, however you look at, we can all agree that the game and the tour are better off with Tiger than without.
Roll Tide !!
No question about that, tigerhead…both that Tiger has benefitted the tour more than he’s hurt it and that the tour is better off with him than without him.
I wouldn’t dare presume to know what 3IRONS means other than what he says…hell, he won’t even respond to any of my posts.
I’m not sure what it means to harm the game’s honor…if players could do that then baseball, football, and basketball would have no honor.
I'm not sure either
what that means or how you can damage it with a behavior that has nothing to do with the game. Anyway, I doubt anybody is going to stop watching or playing golf because Tiger cheated on his wife.
Roll Tide !!
Hey tigerhead,
Things were a little slow here and the game hasn’t started yet, so I went over to TGC and read the comments in the JM thread. 3IRONS posts more over there than he does here and some guy named TTech over there makes me look absolutely civil…lol.
TH & Nibs
When a couple of Hall of Famers say Woods has damaged the game, I’d think they would know of which they speak. He has damaged the image and the honor of our repected passtime. I do not recall Arnie or Jack bringing dishonor to the game. It will take a long time, if ever, for many to ever look at Woods in the same light. You both know I have for years called him a phony,….now is his chance to show some heart felt humility to his peers. The Tour busted JD for far less, and it was unjustified. But they did it because his personal lfe was embarassing the game, or as the bylaws state “conduct unbecoming a PGA Tour member”. Does anyone doubt what Woods has done is deserving of the same ? I don’t want him suspended, but I do want to see him show the game, the sponsors, the fans and his peers the respect they all deserve. If not in words than by his actions. Be a man about it,and I guarantee all will be forgiven and forgotten.That includes myself. I cannot speak for Elin,….but if she stays with him, he will have convinced his harshest critic at the moment. He owes the game, and he knows he’s dragged it into the gutter. For the game, I hope he comes back a changed man. I hope he comes back with a professional attitude. Hardly too much to ask……………………………………Z.
you're still away,...choke on it !
3IRONS,
I agree that TW is a phony (he duped us about his family first slogan) and his philandering damaged the game(see my reply to tigerhead above). I just don’t agree with your claim that he damaged the image and honor of golf. I would like him to show some humility upon his return to golf though and like Warson said, he should make a humble apology to the Tour, the players, the sponsors, and the fans before he returns to golf.
But you raise a very interesting issue with the Tour suspending JD for much less last year. Also I recall TW did something within the last year, he criticized a rules official or something like that and the Tour announced that he would be fined for such behavior. Within 24 hrs TW released a statement saying that he would NOT be fined for whatever he had done, the clear implication was that TW had talked to the Tour and threatened to boycott if he was fined. The precedent has already been set, the Tour suspended Daly for “conduct unbecoming a PGA Tour member” and they should therefore also suspend Tiger for hisphilandering behavior which was much, much more unbecoming a PGA Tour member. Does anybody seriously think the PGA Tour will even consider suspending Woods? Of course not. Therefore, the PGA Tour has harmed the image and honor of GOLF by not treating everyone by the same rules.
Nibs......I hate it when you're right.....lol
Great post, but I think we both know there will be no suspension, which tells us who is pulling the strings.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Harmed Image
I think we’re saying the same thing here Nibs. Woods embarassed the Tour with his philandering (I like the term "man-whorin’ LOL),and threats to boycott. The Tour has fined him on many occassions, but it is Woods behavior that has put the Tour on a spot. Woods was/is the catylist behind the tarnished image of Tour golf. He was the “face” of Tour golf, and he has disgraced his image and thus also of the Tour. We seem to be on the same page here.
How about those SAINTS em66 ! They made me a nice little return. I’ll send Payton Manning a thank-you note too……………………………………………….Z.
you're still away,...choke on it !
court,
You or someone here should recall the incident last year where Tiger made some statement and the PGA Tour immediately said that Tiger would be fined for saying it. And within the next 24 hrs Tiger issued a statement saying he would NOT be fined, the clear implication was that TW or his team talked to the PGA Tour and said he would boycott the tour until and unless the fine was dropped.
Here it is…
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=4390168
CHASKA, Minn. — Tiger Woods will be fined by the PGA Tour for his public criticism of a rules official after winning the Bridgestone Invitational, a tour official said Monday.
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=4391724
CHASKA, Minn. — Tiger Woods did not back down Tuesday from his criticism of a rules official after the final round of Sunday’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and said he did not incur a fine by the PGA Tour for his comments.
I remember the incident – the slow play warning to Harrington when he and Woods were basically going head to head on the back 9. Woods was ticked off and agreed that it probably threw Harrington off – but he never said anything about a boycott, and the Tour never threatened a suspension, never even implied it.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
“Woods was ticked off and agreed that it probably threw Harrington off "…agreed with whom?
“the clear implication was that TW or his team talked to the PGA Tour and said he would boycott the tour until and unless the fine was dropped.”…I didn’t say the Tour threatened a suspension or even implied it.
oops – sorry prof – wasn’t crystal clear on that one.
Agreed with EVERYBODY that the ruling threw Harrington off. The only person who let the official off the hook was Harrington – and that’s Paddy being the gentleman.
Tiger never threatened or implied anything about a boycott – and the Tour never threatened a suspension – which would be the opposite side of a boycott and generally what happens if you don’t pay your fines.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
court,
Not EVERYBODY, because I’m surely somebody although an old out of shape one at that, but I watched every shot of that tournament and that decision to put Tiger and Paddy on the clock, was both proper and did NOT throw Paddy off.
I very rarely agree with the golf establishment(USGA, PGA Tour, etc) when it comes to rules, (ie. this whole groove mess, the Stadler build a stance debacle, the Doug Barron denial of the medical use of testosterone, and I’m sure there are many more but I can’t think of them now), but when it comes to slow play, I am heartily on the side of any governing body who attempts to speed up the pace of play. If you remember that day, Tiger and Paddy had fallen a couple of holes behind and by the rules, they should have been put on the clock…to not have done so would have been to show favoritism. For heaven’s sake, even while being timed, they still get 45 seconds to hit their shots….you don’t get 45 seconds in my group to hit your shot…pick a club, take a practice swing, and hit the damned ball!!!!
And I will go to my grave believing that TW forced the PGA tour to rescind his fine for his comments about this ruling by telling the PGA Tour that he would not play in the next tournament until and unless the fine against him was canceled. I have no proof of that, other than my exquisite knowledge of human nature, and you are certainly free to believe anything you like, at the risk of being thought naive.
I see – so sitting there in your recliner, YOU could tell whether an official stepping up to Harrington before he hit a tee shot to let him know that he was on the clock…WHILE he was in a tight duel with the #1 player in the world – threw him off or didn’t. The notification wasn’t on TV – neither was the walk from shot to shot – but YOU know that it didn’t throw him off.
Now – I’m not saying that the official was wrong – they were a slight bit out of position by the clock, but he waited until the last 3 holes to bring it up – during one of the most dramatic finishes of the year. They weren’t that far out of position and they weren’t holding anybody up…as you can tell by the TV broadcast that you were watching, they finished on time, well before the end of the broadcast.
Tiger and Paddy were NEVER 2 holes behind, and there was a backlog on 15th that made being out of position not a big deal – it was pretty easy to close ranks – which they did.
Hey – I’m with you – I have no problem believing that Tiger is the one who stirs the soup and he is the only player who has the clout to make the Tour back down on something like this.
Slow play is the biggest problem in the game today – and Paddy is a slow player – but under those circumstances, that official needed to consider more than just one group.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Anyone playing with Tiger on the last day
has to put up with unruly crowds. Paddy is on the slow side, but it takes longer to get the crowds quiet when Tiger is playing. Is that a consideration with the rules officials ? If you ever wanted to see how bad it gets, watch the Open at St Andrews this year and you could see 6 hour rounds. It’s one thing playing at your club, quite another playing with thousands around you. The sheer movement of people in a tight finish like that can delay the game at times.
“Slow play is the biggest problem in the game today – and Paddy is a slow player – but under those circumstances, that official needed to consider more than just one group.”
…we agree. By putting Tiger and Paddy on the clock, the rules official was considering more than one group, he was considering every player and administered the rules appropriately.
I’m not in a mood to grant you any concessions on slow play today…I played 9 yesterday in 2.5 hrs, I waited on every shot, the two foursomes in front of us all chose to emulate J.B. Holmes.
“we agree” ?? you getting those voices again, nibs ? :-)
like I said – I have very little sufferage for slow players – but Woods and Harrington played in just over 4 hours WITH the big stackup at 15. They weren’t playing slow.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Agreed court
The crowds Tiger has with him slow any group up as well. Nibs, 2.5 hours for 9 holes is a disgrace, but in professional golf crowds around one group should be taken into consideration. The official should have used common sense in those circumstances. What you and I do on a course has nothing to do with pros…
They were playiny slow….this is from the article I linked, the one you obviously didn’t read…
“Paramor said the final pairing was well behind most of the back nine, but officials gave them time to catch up. They were still 17 minutes out of position on the 16th tee, when they were put on the clock.”
3irons....
Glad the Who Dat’s could pad your wallet a little. It was a great game that I think had to entertain all who watched.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
100 million increase ?
where did that # come from ? and what about 13 years of time having something to do with it ?
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Jumpn....Right.
I’d like to see a comparison of the increases in contracts with the other pro sports….then we may have a realistic idea of what Tiger has done “for” golf.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
The Northern Trust Open...a vain attempt..
I see Steve Stricker has a 6 shot cushion to begin the final round… Not much potential for suspense. Parnevik WD’d don’t know why… I don’t recall anything being written here about Rickie Fowler. Maybe it was imbeded in one of those Tiger Woods articles… Those of you that follow things like this, Rickie was in the frys.com play off with with Troy Matteson and Jamie Lovemark. Pardon the digression here…but when you’re not a golf writer you can do this….. I have this thing about names. Jamie Lovemark? Not exactly a “strong name”… Tiger! Now that’s a strong name!!! Some of you older guys may remember Rod Nuckolls, Roppe Kakko caught my attention… Current tour player and Ryder Cup selection J.B. Holmes is actually John Holms, but that name has too much baggage… Anyway back to Rickie…. As this young season began, he was tabbed as the next big thing with his Leonardo Dicaprio looks and flashy wardrobe. He did have a fine finish at Torrey Pines but the NTO is his third MC. Oh well, as we’ve been told again and again, the golf season doesn’t really begin until the back nine at Augusta. There was a moment on Thursday that David Duval showed a flash of brightness. But he wound up in that made cut but DNF category… Since I started, Steve’s lead is down to 5…. Now where were we? Oh yes, Johnny Miller thinks Tiger has hurt the game. Ah, I see 3irons has chimed in, anything new there?…….not really…… Oh what the hell! Go Colts!!!!
The way some people proselytize about infidelity
and family values, it is as if their wives are proof reading their comments. They should take their own moral inventory, not someone elses.
Jesper Parnevik better be whiter than snow.
I'll keep an eye out for you...at www.oneeyedgolfer.blogspot.com
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Feb 7, 2010 4:58 PM EST reply actions
Read OEG website
He really, really hates Jesper. But is he just saying that men shouldn’t tell on each other?
Sooner or later, OEG
You’d better produce your evidence. I say unless YOU slept with Jesper – case not proven.
I care!!
I don’t have the golf channel, so I’m appreciating the NBC coverage. Go Stricker!!
I write about golf at www.tees2greens.com, too.
ROW to hoe...
…not ROAD to hoe…a hoe is a gardening tool – not a road building tool – and it wasn’t a pun. (doesn’t matter if Obama said…errr…..read it wrong)
Not hard to tell what I think of Johnny Miller and how bad a commentator I think he is – but I honestly don’t have a problem with what he said – except for the part where Miller thinks that Woods has to “show remorse” publically. Nonsense – there are a very small number of people he has to prove himself to – #1 is Elin, then his and her family, a few friends, a few sponsors…maybe a few people on the PGA Tour…but publically ? Nope.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Well, there you have Stricker by 2
Those that have been waiting for Phil ascendancy to the top of the rankings will have to wait a bit longer. Goodnight Seattle!
come on Ping – we all know that Phil would have destroyed this field if he had used that “cheater” wedge – but his integrity just wouldn’t let him. (bwaaahahahaaaa) Another week on one of his favorite courses and just one round in the 60’s. Maybe Phil needs to stop talking and start practicing ? He’s had a year to work with grooves like these.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
That was some fantastic wood shot by JB Holmes that
set him up for eagle. It was almost worth waiting for him to hit the ball.
Well, guess your a monkeys
uncle T, or at least some relation…Seems everyone got what I said to Ryan but you…but you do seem to be lagging behind I really love being part of this country, so it looks like you have two options….either get a thicker skin to the ribbing we all take, or take your sarcastic, little mind (is that part of your Napoleonic complex) and find a leaky boat and leave…very simple, made it that way so your simple mind could grasp it….LOL STUB
You've simply got to change your Thinker moniker. The irony is
overwhelming. Then check out Wendy’s reply to your irresponsible, inane rant on the Christina Kim post. You must be so proud. Show that post of yours to any relative of yours. See what they say.
by TXQ on Feb 7, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
It's not my intent
to inhibit comment on here – I merely objected to being included in the references.
Stub and I are OK now.
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