Reactions to Tiger Woods’ announcement of an ‘indefinite’ break from golf to focus on marriage

Reactions to Woods’ ‘indefinite’ break from golf

“It will impact on every tournament Tiger plays, I believe. Let’s hope the tabloid press finishes quickly and we get on supporting good golf. He is suddenly, I hate to say, more normal now. There is a mystique which has been lost now and let’s hope that golf isn’t damaged by that, and it shouldn’t be. There was an aura, and that wall if you like has been split slightly, so there are cracks and I feel that it gives us more opportunity of winning these big events now.” — European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.

“I’m in shock over it all. A lot of our players are in shock. I’m not happy with the way some of our players have responded — that’s their way of getting back because they know they can’t beat him at golf. They always say there is no one bigger in golf than the game itself. But Tiger is.” — Two-time major winner John Daly.

“It’s tragic. I think this whole thing is tragic. I am in touch with his wife Elin Nordegren now and then. Me and my husband Mike have been out dining with Elin and Tiger on a few occasions. Perhaps it won’t happen as often now.” — Former top-ranked women’s golfer, Annika Sorenstam.

“I don’t know anything. I have no comments to this and I don’t know either.” — Nordegren’s father, radio talk show host Thomas Nordegren, on speculation that the couple are on their way to Sweden.

“For years to come, he will be a figure of fun to comedians great and small. Tiger Woods will have to put up with those jokes and japes for 20 years to come. It’s a very messy situation and I would advise him to go and see the people that Michael Douglas, the actor, went to see because he had addictive sex problems. He’s obviously got a problem. We were told for years that his father stood by the side of the green throwing pebbles in buckets of water, shouting and blowing whistles to make him oblivious to all these noises. Now we have to see how strong his mind is.” — Veteran BBC golf commentator Peter Allis.

“To make a sacrifice like this, looking at how he has been throughout his career is a big shock. He was so one-dimensional in his quest to break golf records and to be known as the best golfer of all time. But you have to wonder about the validity and truthfulness of anything he says right now.” — BBC golf commentator Jay Townsend.

“Indefinite is a scary word. If Tiger Woods indefinitely doesn’t play golf, that’s not good for us.” — Australian golfer Geoff Ogilvy.

“What he did was totally wrong. And he’s got no one to blame except himself. You can look at other people, but he’s the one who’s got to look in the mirror. It’s his personal life, so that’s up to him if he wants to get his family life in order. It’s a hard thing to come back from.” — Australian golfer and Woods’ friend, Craig Parry.

“With the scrutiny his life is under it would be nigh on impossible to turn up and concentrate on playing golf, which is what he does best. The only way he could go was to take a break, try and sort his life out and come back when he’s ready. He does that well from injury and he’ll be back when he’s ready to do so. If he takes a hit through his sponsors that will not damage him too much. He’s a wealthy man and the least of his worries are monetary. They are probably the last thing on his mind.” — English player David Howell.

“Hopefully he can go on something like Oprah, maybe even with his wife, to show that they’re making a real go of it. The clever move would be for him to say, ‘I’m coming back when Elin tells me the time is right.’” — Veteran British publicist Max Clifford.