Tiger Fans Stick Claws Into Plaschke

If Bill Plaschke could write about sports the way Tiger Woods plays golf, his columns would get more than “mild clapping” at my house.

Robert McArthur

Mar Vista

*

Perhaps Tiger should get arrested, beat his wife or get some tattoos to become a more interesting golfer. To call him boring is only to minimize his golfing prowess. So what if has never had to be the Comeback Kid? He’s the Man.

Sophia Grant

Winnetka

*

What do you want Tiger to do, Bill, play down to the level of his opponents? Play left-handed? That’s not Tiger’s problem, it’s up to the rest of the PGA to play up to his level.

The problem isn’t Tiger’s, it’s yours, Bill. Your column was due and you found nothing to fill it with.

Mike Duchowny

Woodland Hills

*

Tiger Woods is probably the most exciting golfer ever and he is loved by many. Tiger produces shots that nobody else on this planet can even dream of and he does it when the pressure is at its highest. And, considering the ratings are so much higher when Woods is contention, that probably demonstrates how much more exciting it is to watch him rather than ... well, every other golfer on tour.

In terms of Tiger not being loved because he is serious, determined and wearing a frown as he competes, uh, Bill, does that sound like another athlete that may have been loved by, oh, a billion people? His name was Michael Jordan.

Jack Feeney

Mission Viejo

*

After reading Bill Plaschke’s strange report on Tiger Woods’ victory in the British Open, I had to double check to see that I hadn’t opened The Times’ editorial page by mistake.

It was all there, the need for America to lose in order to be loved abroad, the denigration of winners because they didn’t have the sense to stumble and give the less talented a decent chance and the arrogance to play intelligently when a wild indifference to sensible golf-course management would have been more exciting.

The final clue that I was on the wrong page was Plaschke’s claim that Tiger almost pushed Olazabal into the water at the Swilcan Bridge. I, and millions of viewers, clearly saw Tiger waiting for Olazabal at the bridge, and Olazabal putting his hand on Tiger’s back, urging Tiger ahead. I assume the foreign press will be quoting Plaschke’s disgraceful report for weeks to come.

Mark Dusbabek

La Quinta

*

Bill Plaschke’s contrarian article confirms my suspicions. He’ll take any position to fill column space.

Jack Nicklaus dominated golf when there was considerably less and infinitely more simple media coverage. Plaschke, try being Tiger Woods for even one day in the intense, frenetic limelight that exists whenever he goes to work in his chosen profession. Would that other athlete-superstars emulated Tiger’s behavior.

About that polite applause versus shouting and unruly behavior: I’m guessing there weren’t many spectators from Phoenix at St. Andrews.

Melinda Gartzman

Studio City

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Tiger dusts the Open field and Bill Plaschke rips him for being too good. I believe you’re missing the point of sports here Bill. And being a sportswriter, that ain’t good.

The man is the best golfer of our time, happens to handle his off-course duties with class while managing to make both look easy. But it isn’t, Bill. Here’s my seven-iron. You try it.

Jim Fredrick

Manhattan Beach