h/t: Player to be Named Later

The QTG arm of PepsiCo is headquartered here in Chicago,  and has been since the days when Wilford Brimley shilled for Quaker Oats, Michael Jordan swilled the lemon-lime Gatorade, and I spilled the Tropicana Orange Juice all over the lunch table at my elementary school.  Having the opportunity to actually visit the Gatorade floors of the building, I imagine it’s as close to visiting the Nike or ESPN campuses in terms of how much athlete flair there is in each office. With the recent introduction of the Tiger Gatorade flavors, I’m sure there are plenty of displays and memorabilia that are being temporarily placed in closets for the time being. Count me as one those who was miffed when Tiger got his own flavor after Michael never did. If Chuck Norris knows what’s good for him, he won’t accept that Walker, Texas Ranger Oatmeal sponsorship.

The New (Old) Savior of Golf

Additionally, Chicago has long hosted the Western Open (recently changed to the BMW Championship) at Cog Hill in nearby Lemont. Through the years, an appearance from Tiger has meant a monster jump in the crowds, especially during the first two rounds when people would skip out on work to see Tiger but not for a Stewart Cink.  The Chicagoland golf scene got screwed first when they moved the Western Open from it’s traditional July 4th weekend by the PGA Tour to accommodate the AT&T National, hosted by Tiger Woods. Now, on a short week after the Labor Day weekend, the BMW Championship might be without it’s biggest draw, Tiger.

My suggestion? Screw the guy who cheated on his one wife and go with the guy who has had four wives. Why stick with the guy whose life is going down the drain, when you can have the guy who has righted his ship, lost a ton of weight, and wears funky pants?

That’s right folks, I’m talking John Daly. Not only is he probably the second biggest draw on the Tour (just look at the crowds around his RV when he’s selling merchandise after being eliminated), he could probably bring back Zubaz pants while he’s at it. There are two things that America loves: tearing down those who are successful and famous, and seeing those same celebs turn their lives around years down the road. It just so happens that these two golfers are experiencing these two extremes at the same time.

h/t: Ethan

Some might argue that the Tiger Woods story has officially lost sports relevance and will only be covered by the likes of TMZ in the foreseeable future, but those of us who are golf fans beg to differ.  Golf is a game built on honesty and integrity.  It’s a game where players are responsible for keeping their own scores and calling penalties on themselves.  Just last year a golfer disqualified himself from qualifying for his tour card for an innocent rules violation.

Herein lies the difference between what Tiger is accused of and what Kobe Bryant was accused of.  Kobe’s rape accusation mattered more to his sponsors and public image than it did on the basketball court.  Kobe’s on-court credibility remained untarnished.  A tenacious competitor who if committed a foul or wrongdoing would be whistled by the refs (depending of course on the ref and league agenda at the time.)

While Tiger’s indiscretions matter to his sponsors and public image it may matter more to his competitors and golf enthusiasts.  Tiger plays in a unique sport where his honesty and credibility do matter.  They are the cornerstones of what makes golf great.  Has Tiger ever not called a rules violation on himself when he should have?  Does he take more than one customary mulligan on the first tee?  Has Tiger been using illegal drives in the past?

While the rest of the world wonders what TMZ will dig up next on Tiger, golf enthusiasts hold their collective breaths.  If Tiger is in fact a cheat the golfing memories of many will be forever tarnished.

h/t: Midwest Sports Fans

So what really happened?  Here are a few possibilities.

• Tiger and his wife got in an argument.  Elin cracked him in the face with a golf club.  She chased him out of the house where he got in his car and accidentally crashed into the hydrant in front of his house.
• Tiger and his wife were arguing.  Tiger needed to get away so he went out to his car.  She chased him out with a golf club and smashed in the window.  He hit the hydrant.
• Tiger innocently left the house for a drive.  He accidentally ran into the hydrant.  Elin came running out with a golf club and smashed the window in order to pull Tiger to safety.

The 3rd one is what Tiger would want you to believe, but the 2nd one seems most likely.  While I can understand that Tiger wants to keep the incident private, he has to understand that by not clearing the air, it gives rise to the wild speculation that is occurring in the media right now.  I hope they are able to figure everything out, but until then the rumors and stories will continue to swirl.

What do you think really happened?