RealClearSports: ESPN Proves Tiger Still No. 1

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

This headline was on ESPN.com: "Tiger Shoots 74 at Players.'' The subject was Tiger Woods, tied for 100th, and not either of the co-leaders, Ian Poulter or Martin Laird? Why, of course.

We're not selling results in journalism, and ESPN, for better or worse, is journalism in the 21st Century. We're selling celebrity.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: 2 Penalty Strokes Mar Tiger's Opening Round

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The signs, posted after the rain, offered a warning: "Caution, slippery when wet.'' What they neglected to say was: "No less dangerous when dry."

Such a beautiful place, Augusta National, with those tall Georgia pines, finely mowed fairways and rolling greens. Such a troublesome place, Augusta National, when playing from under those pines or the wrong spots on those greens.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: Tiger-Rory Rivalry Bubbling at Masters

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The other golfer was talking like a fan, which as a kid growing up and admiring Tiger Woods’ success is exactly what Rory McIlroy used to be.

Tiger’s records were yardsticks for McIlroy, as Jack Nicklaus records were – still are – for Woods, proof what can be accomplished and reason to strive for excellence.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: Tiger, Djokovic, Pujols: Three of a Kind

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – It’s all about fame. Or infamy. All about recognition, for something you accomplished or couldn’t accomplish. All about fans chasing you for an autograph or a photo or no less significantly wishing they could chase you into the next county.

Hero or villain. The roles are virtually inseparable, although from a standpoint of morality and goodwill we would prefer a hero or heroine. Easier to accept. Easier to respect.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: Tiger Putts Poorly, Talks Optimistically

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

MARANA, Ariz. — He fell short again. Or did he? Tiger Woods putted poorly and spoke optimistically, making us wonder whether we should believe what we saw or what we heard.

Woods was knocked out of the Accenture Match Play Championships on Thursday, maybe not exactly a shock, given his record of late in this tournament and almost every tournament. Yet there was something particularly unsettling about the way it happened.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012