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Does the book help Tiger? And will he help himself?
Published: 4/5/2012 12:52 PM
Last Modified: 4/5/2012 1:01 PM

I wrote a story in today's paper about former University of Tulsa golfer Hank Haney, who served as Tiger Woods’ swing coach for six years and has written a book (“The Big Miss”) about their shared experiences.

Woods -- who guards his privacy like it was the most valuable thing in his life (and it probably is) -- is no fan of the book, which alleges that he once suffered a serious knee injury while participating in an urban warfare simulation with Navy SEALs.

In response, Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, issued this statement: “Haney admits he never had in-depth, personal discussions with Tiger. This self-serving book is full of guesses and false assumptions. Most don’t merit a response, but his stories about Tiger’s injuries are simply not true. Tiger’s injuries, and how they occurred, were exactly as described at the time they happened. Despite repeated claims that this is a golf book, it’s not.”

Woods said in January that he thought Haney was “unprofessional” for writing the book. He said it was “very disappointing, especially because it’s someone I worked with and trusted as a friend.”

I wrote in the story that getting Woods to elaborate on anything about the book is a trick. Here are transcript excerpts from two press conferences this year in which media members tried and (mostly) failed to get some book reaction. Notice that, in both instances, the press conference moderator shifted into protector mode (aren’t these athletes big enough boys that they don’t need protection from scrawny writers?) and asked questioners to change the subject. Best guess: The moderators were instructed to move things along if the questions went out of bounds.

ABU DHABI PRESS CONFERENCE (Jan. 24)
Q. Did you ever think Hank would write a book about you?
TIGER WOODS: No.

Q. And if not, why not? Why did you think he wouldn’t?
TIGER WOODS: I don’t know.

Q. And just when something like that-- is it difficult to trust anybody, if everything is just going to get revealed in books and statements and (television) and everything?
TIGER WOODS: One might say that.

Q. That must be sort of sad in a way.
TIGER WOODS: You think it’s sad?

Q. Do you think it’s sad?
TIGER WOODS: I’m asking you.

Q. I find it sad, yeah.
TIGER WOODS: Okay. There you go. (Smiling).

Q. It’s on the book subject again, I’m afraid.
TIGER WOODS: Yep.

Q. I’m assuming you would appreciate why people in general and golfers in particular would like an insight into your game and swing and how things have developed. Please tell me what’s so wrong about Hank writing a book about you?
TIGER WOODS: I think I’ve answered all the questions on that.

Q. What’s so wrong--
TIGER WOODS: I think I already have. I’m sorry.

Q. Not mine, I’m afraid. Thank you all the same.

MODERATOR: Do we have one more question on golf?

Feb. 29, 2012, HONDA CLASSIC PRESS CONFERENCE
Q. Obviously several weeks ago, you expressed your disappointment about Hank’s book. Now there’s some stuff that’s come out since, where would you say your disappointment level is based on any of what’s come out and to this point?
TIGER WOODS: It’s still the same. Nothing has changed in that regard at all.

Q. To follow up, I know (your agent) responded to the fact that the excerpts are out from Hank’s book, but I’m wondering, what’s your reaction?
TIGER WOODS: Well, I’ve already talked about it. So -- sorry.

Q. Nothing beyond?
TIGER WOODS: (Smiling.)

Q. Sort of related to the book, but the relentless analysis of your swing, your putting strokes, just curious how the unrelenting scrutiny of everything you do and say affects you.
TIGER WOODS: Yeah, I know. I think you’re one of the guys, too, that does that, too. (Laughter).
It’s part of-- it’s part of now I guess who I am and what I’ve accomplished. I think it would have been probably similar if Jack was probably in my generation. (He) didn’t quite have the media scrutiny that they do now. And it’s just a different deal and I know that a lot of players don’t get the same analysis with their games that I do. But it’s been like that since I turned pro.

MODERATOR: We heard Tiger’s comments, if we can just keep the talk to golf.

This exchange also occurred during the Honda Classic press conference, but it was not among quotes transcribed by tournament officials:

Also at the Honda Classic, Golf Channel contributor Alex Miceli asked about the accuracy of the book and Woods’ desire to be a Navy SEAL at the height of his playing career. If the information was incorrect, Miceli wanted to know specifically what was incorrect.

“I’ve already talked about everything,” Woods said.

“Then I must have missed you answering that question,” Miceli said.

“Well, I’ve already commented on the book. Is that in the book? Is it in the book?” Woods said.

Miceli said he had not seen the book.

“You’re a beauty, you know that?” Woods said. “Have a good day.”

How do I feel about it all? I’ll reference an Alice Cooper book about golf in which (if memory serves) the rock star said he felt a little sad for Elvis Presley because Elvis could never leave his home and just be a normal person.

The same must be true for Woods. But the book helps humanize Woods because it offers details (he -- making the best of bad situation -- got a kick out of his scandal being parodied on “South Park”) you won’t get anywhere else. If you don't know things like that, there's no reason to think of him other than as a corporation who happens to swing a golf club.

Woods could help himself by taking down a few walls and showing people a glimpse of the real Tiger instead of going into Spock mode during public appearances.


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Tulsa World sports writer Jimmie Tramel is a former class president at Locust Grove High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University with a journalism degree and, while attending college, was sports editor of the Pryor Daily Times. He joined the Tulsa World on Oct. 17, 1989, the same day an earthquake struck the World Series. He is the OSU basketball beat writer and a columnist and feature writer during football season. In 2007, he wrote a book about Oklahoma State football with former Cowboy coach Pat Jones.

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