Quin, I agree that Jack Nicklaus was probably the most gracious
loser golf, or any sport, has ever seen. And I agree that Tiger
Woods often gives what seems self-centered answers to interview
questions. But I’d cut Tiger some slack for two reasons. One, the
press today asks far more personal, stupid, and intrusive questions
than they used to — and far more of them, given our explosion of
media outlets. And two, Tiger is taken to be the icon of golf more
than Jack was, and is questioned accordingly.
I heard Tiger say, “Zach played beautifully. He made the shots
he had to make.” And as to the particulars of the tournament, two
things usually stamp a winner: birdies at 9 and 16 in the final
round. Well, this year, it was 14 and 16, and Tiger and Johnson
had near-identical putts at both holes. Tiger missed them both.
Johnson made them.