Tiger Woods’ fall from grace can’t be compared to some poor soul falling from the Empire State building. His career and personal plummet is similar to a man free falling from the moon and descending rapidly.
On Aug. 12, Tiger Woods downward spiral continued after he missed the cut for the PGA championship. His placement in the tournament should have been easier than Kobe Bryant attempting to make a wide-open layup.
However, Woods will be away from competition until 2012. Woods’ poor play doesn’t stem from a lack of focus, or a loss of skill. He’s suffering from a lack of athletic arrogance.
In order to establish a career as a top-notch professional in sports, athletes must hone their skills, remain injury free, and play with a sense of entitlement.
Arrogance on any playing field separates the great players from the good and average players. Good players have the skills to win. But great players have skills, work ethic and an elitist attitude. Great players know they will win because they always believe that they are better than their opponent.
With the addition of money, fame, fans and media that treat great players like demigods, superior athletes embrace the medicinal-like high until they drown in it.
Woods proved to be flawless on the golf course, but he suffered once the world discovered that he was an oversexed cheater. His wife divorced him, took his children, and left him lonely. For the first time in his adult life, Woods showed signs of being a mere human.
The arrogance of being the best on the golf course could not manifest itself because Woods realized that everyone knew about his personal flaws and failures. His personal embarrassment has affected his professional life.
In order to return to greatness, Woods must regain the arrogance that kept him miles ahead of his inferior competition. He should try dating a famous supermodel, buy a profitable company and do other things that the average professional golfer could only dream of experiencing. This would build his self-esteem and enhance his athletic arrogance.
Woods must feel like a champion in his personal life before he can return to greatness professionally. –amir shaw
