By now, most of are aware that media target #1, Tiger Woods was made available for 2 interviews on Sunday night. They were short, 5 minutes each, but not filtered...the reporters, Tom Rinaldi of ESPN and Kelly Tilghman of the Golf Channel were allowed to ask anything that they wanted to...and they did.
What they found was a Tiger, much less robotic than his "Public Statement" of February and though there were quite a few places that he wouldn't go, citing his "Family Privacy", he also opened up and essentially admitted to a lot of the indiscretions that he's been accused of.
((Tiger Woods at his 2009 Presser//Courtesy: CBSNews.com))
For those who haven't seen it yet: Here is Rinaldi's interview again. Thank You ESPN, we appreciate that you allowed this to be embedded.
The Golf Channel interview wasn't available, but they did make Ms. Tilghman available for an interview with the CBS Morning show. (We will keep an "eye" out, if the video is posted later, we'll get it for you)
Check out what they discussed RIGHT HERE
If you read the Tilghman version of the story, Woods told her "I did it. I'm the one who did those things. And looking back on it now with a more clear head, I get it. I can understand why people would (mock and criticize him) because, you know what? It was disgusting behavior and it's hard to believe that was me, looking back on it now".
Though we fully realize that this was a handpicked conditional interview, we think it was a good PR move from the Woods camp. He looked far more repentant and personally upset at what he did. The reporters from both networks asked the appropriate questions and got as good an answer as they are going to. We think that is good.
However. We also realize there is going to be a segment of both the Internet, Journalism and Tabloid communities who still don't think that this is enough. We don't know exactly what it is that they feel he owes them. Yes, at his level you do need to say that you are sorry and apologize for doing the wrong thing. He's now done that. What else do you want?
The Masters this year will be a very interesting social experiment. Having covered the Tournament for the past 10 years (not this yr. unfortunately), access to Tiger has always been limited, that isn't going to change. There are not going to be people shouting things at him on the course (patrons or tabloid reporters who bought aftermarket tickets included), if they do, they will be escorted quickly off of the grounds and probably arrested. The lords of Augusta do not have to let them in nor do they have to tolerate that behavior, they are aware of this.
Much the same, Tiger and his PR folks are aware of this too. This is the best, most controlled environment that he can return under. It will be very interesting to see if he keeps his regular routine and does his late Tuesday morning presser. It will be interesting indeed.
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