The current Tiger Woods situation has turned America into a sociological experiment.
Woods got popped for his second DUI. Rolled his car. Could have killed somebody. It’s his fourth major car accident.
Yet a vast fraction of the population passionately leaps to his defense.
“He has a problem.”
“Show some compassion.”
That’s fine, but you’d want the death penalty if it was somebody you didn’t like.
This is DUI. It’s endangering others.
“It’s tough in the spotlight.”
Woods has a net worth of $1.5 billion. How tough can it be? (Hire a driver. Have him on call 24/7. Woods can certainly afford it.)
Woods also has the option of retreating from the spotlight. He doesn’t.
“His father pressured him.”
Is that the same father that got made into a hero for creating Tiger Woods?
“He did so much for golf.”
Woods certainly did. What if I don’t care about that? Anyway, it doesn’t undo two DUIs and four car wrecks.
If this was Brittney Griner, the right would want her in jail. Again.
If this was Curt Schilling, the left would want him gagged with his own bloody sock.
Woods isn’t a good guy, and it shouldn’t matter if he is.
This is DUI.
Woods’ previous DUI was in 2017. By Florida law, the nine-year interim prior to this new offense precludes jail time.
But let’s not kid ourselves. Woods could get arrested for DUI every other day and he wouldn’t do jail time.
Woods can’t even get convicted in the court of public opinion.
Most of the people in America support Woods. Even when he behaves badly. Especially when he behaves badly.
“He’s flawed. We all are.”
We’re not all driving impaired, endangering others.
This is typical of America: It’s not what’s done; it’s who does it. The biggest problem with cancel culture is it’s selective application.
Woods won’t be canceled.
It won’t be long before the citizens again daydream about a Woods comeback, at 50, even though leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash combine with his advancing age, back surgery and a ruptured Achilles tendon to make that a pipe dream beyond token appearances, or indoor golf, or the senior tour.
But Woods’ footprint is such that golf hasn’t created a new superstar. Not even Scottie Scheffler with his four major wins, three since 2024. Woods is still considered the world’s top golfer, even when he’s not golfing.
Scheffler doesn’t have the same story, the same star power, the same charisma. Nobody does.
The fans will always love Woods.
So will much of the golf media.
Said a Barstool Sports personality, “We’ll protect Tiger Woods until we (bleeping) die.”
Woods still has active endorsements. Woods’ long resume of misconduct would ruin most.
But, on the other side of this, Woods will come out a sympathetic, still popular figure.
Ain’t that America?