If it's really him, wearing a hoodie and scarf and holding a coffee cup somewhere in Mississippi, then we should be relieved in a way. Because it means Tiger Woods legitimately is addressing his sexual problems -- whether he's a serious addict or just a serial horndog who got caught in the act(s) -- at the Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services facility. Through all his marital infidelity, public deceit and loss of dignity and endorsements, our hope was that Woods would pour his legendary competitive zeal into making himself a better person.Getting help means he's at least trying, even to the point of reportedly signing a "celibacy contract" prohibiting all sexual activity while being treated, including masturbation for those keeping score at home.
Giggle if you must. But battling an addiction is the latest and most daunting indication that Woods faces monumental obstacles when he returns to golf. It's not going to be nearly as simple as showing up, removing clubs from his corporate-logo-stripped bag and winning five major championships in two years to break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 career biggies. As it is, Tiger must deal with the daily torment of having plummeted from the highest pedestal while hammered by a stunningly relentless public and corporate backlash. Now, he may be dealing with a disease that experts say isn't unlike drug addiction or alcoholism. Woods constantly will have to find willpower to stay clean and avoid temptations to go bimbo-hunting, all while under what will be the most intense media microscope imaginable. I keep searching for evidence why he'll be able to resume his dominance and use the course to escape from his problems. Instead, I'm pummeled by more reasons why he may never rediscover his niche as the most prolific sportsman/moneymaker ever.
TV SoundOff: Sunday Talking Heads




