Tiger Woods Hardcover – March 27, 2018

This biography of the most famous athlete in the world provoked much sadness in me. But the story, “Tiger Woods,” as reported by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian, actually brought me to tears as I witnessed the pain and anguish that has dissolved the image of an icon. I, along with millions of others, have reveled in watching a superb golfer perform wondrous feats through much of his life. Never, in my lifetime, would such incredible talent in any field of endeavor be so publicly displayed. I was watching history being made.It all dissolved when a car overturned against a tree in an early morning accident. Tiger Woods lay inside, disoriented and hurt. He recovered but his life was never the same. His young wife and small children, although not in the car, were also hurt, not physically, but by the revelations that came after the crash. Woods had been living a life of deception and depravity that would devastate his family and the millions who idolized him. A later incident had him, bleary-eyed and wobbly, being arrested for driving under the influence, perhaps the final ignominy of a faded star.Benedict and Keteyian have assembled information from millions of words that have been written and spoken about Woods. The authors conducted more than 400 interviews with major figures in his life, many of which have never before spoken publicly about him. His almost perfect life of exceptional skill, unimaginable wealth, and universal fame was, in many ways, almost mystical. He was taciturn, shy in front of the public, and seemed to care for nothing except his golf game. His life was steered by an attention-grabbing father, and a forceful mother, neither of whom tolerated any foolishness from their son, his hangers-on, or the public and media that adored him. He was raised to almost robotic behavior from a very young age. So no one really knew this man.The authors have produced a comprehensive study that probes deeply into the inner workings of a complex person, yet the findings, although disturbing, are neither salacious nor judgmental. Woods is what he is; a driven personality with a hidden addiction that he seems to realize needs correction. His drive to accomplish more golfing greatness on his own terms, fostered by his now departed parents, is still with him but he struggles everyday with attempting to live under his burden.The unanswered question is, will he be able to shake off the huge weight he is shackled with? I will be riveted to his future accomplishments with the fervent hope that Tiger Woods will emerge with an even bigger victory in the battle of his life. Life for him should not be such a horrible emcumbrance.At this writing, Tiger is playing golf again, even winning, and, best of all, smiling as if he is enjoying life once again.Schuyler T WallaceAuthor of TIN LIZARD TALES

As had everyone addicted to golf, I had watched every shot, every tragic happening, all the news about Tiger; I hardly felt I needed more. But 'Tiger' showed me I had less than 10% of the human story.Programmed from the cot to play golf and living live with no other purpose he did exactly that which his father expected of him. His father is exposed for all his depraved, bigoted, abusive and self indulgent traits. Tiger is unrelentingly proud of him but allows him to be buried in an unmarked grave. The reader is left question just "...Why..."? Little is said about Kultida but the most telling quote was that she told Tiger never to damage her name. Imagine her sitting, face drawn in the front row, while he was forced to face the press at The PGA Tour HQ after being caught cheating by Elin.There is plenty for the golfer. His change to the Nike Tour ball which flew straighter, after which he won the US Open by 15 shots at Pebble Beach...and ushered in the age of the modern ball. Tiger followed up with hitherto unheard of margins. Just how much are today's scores dependent on this technology?I only came to realize on the last three pages that he is still under probation for his drug cocktail arrest on Military Trail in May, 2017. As someone with three, and one very similar, back operations to those which Tiger underwent, I understand just how badly a man can crave Vicodin. Yet here we are, only eleven months later and Trackman tells us that Tiger has a 129 MPH clubhead speed. The book tells us just what an athletic phenomenon is Tiger, and even if not winning Majors again...I say 'Yet"...playing 4 rounds in 4 days, practising hard and competing is hard to believe.Plenty of drama; plenty of tragedy; little humor. But now we see TIger on television, charming to reporters, a warm humility in the man who rejected summarily nearly everyone who tried to hold him close. Perhaps burying the ghost of his controlling father and being left with only his mother will allow Kutilda to look upon her son with the pride denied her years ago.

I don’t really know if the total truth was told in this book. Who would know? However, I did like the way the writers were very balanced in their view on Woods’ life, his relationships, his misdemeanours, his total fall from grace and the way he fought back to become the man he is today. For all of us, like me, who absolutely hated what he did to his wife and children, it was somewhat a relief to read how the writers presented Woods in light of the heavy influence, misguided though it was, from both parents. His life wasn’t normal and hence he lived a very abnormal life.

Great insight, not flattering for Tiger, he, his father and mother, don't come off looking too good, nor should they. Arrogance to the enth degree.I couldn’t care less about Tiget Woods, and won’t be following his career any longer.He is up there with Wienstein.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A close look at the complex life of Tiger Woods. One of the greatest athletes in history and the skeletons in his closet. I am looking forward to the redemption of Tiger over the next 20 years.

What a fantastic read this book has been.To get an in depth understanding of what tigers life has been was tragic and delightful.

Champion sportsmen can make for hideous people. Reconsidering my thoughts on recent upturn in form as to why cheer a man who only thinks about themselves.