When It Comes To Tiger Woods The Shame Is Ours

Mr. Woods:

I would have started this "Dear Tiger" but we have never been formally introduced. Indeed, I've never covered an event you have been participating in, so I can't even say I have been within a radar detector's range of you.

I was visiting friends in Amelia Island this weekend so I wasn't near a TV to hear your statement. I'm sure I could have watched it online, but we went out to dinner and then I had to get some sleep.

Guess I could have found a paper but we were all pretty busy. Some guy on ESPN said we'd all remember where we were when you read your statement but I don't think so. Not that you didn't do a good job, but it's hardly like men landing on the moon.

Anyway, I want to let you know what you owe the public.

Nothing.

Not one damn thing. When you were first burning up the pro golf tour I didn't care about what you did away from the course and I don't care now. What happens from tee to green over 18 holes is for public consumption. What happens at home should not be.

You've been a splendid sports figure to follow and I'm sure you will have many more great days. But whether you win a tournament or not has no affect on me. It puts no bread on my table or influences the outcome of anything I'm trying to accomplish. So whatever you do away from the course is your business. I don't care until that day it becomes my business. And I doubt that will ever happen.

It's hard to ignore the fact you have some work to do to get your house in order, but that's your business. I hope you are able to work through this because I like happy endings, but that's pretty much it.

If anyone should be ashamed it is us for becoming obsessed with this story. And telling Tiger Woods jokes. And combing through the gossip sites for another juicy little morsel.

You're a young man with a lot of good years left. I look forward to your return, whenever, to the tour. God bless....