Woods' first British Open as a pro sparks keen
interest, little hysteria
By Brad Townsend
The Dallas Morning News
(KRT)
TROON, Scotland - Camera bulbs flashed in rapid fire, lighting
the interview room Tuesday. Tiger Woods blinked but didn't flinch.
In fact, he looked relaxed.
Longtime European journalists said it easily was the biggest
pre-tournament news conference the 126-year-old British Open has
ever experienced. But Tiger Woods is the 21-year-old who has experienced
it all.
Forecasts that Tigermania this week would rival Beatlemania
in 1964 apparently were greatly exaggerated. That was America.
This is staid Scotland. Much like the Scots themselves, Woods'
reception has been courteous and understated.
Even some inventive tabloid reporting hasn't spoiled Woods'
first British Open week as a professional, or his impression of
Scottish fans, as Thursday's first round nears.
"There definitely is a difference," Woods said. "I
have noticed people here have been very respectful. When we say,
'Now is not the time for autographs, please wait 'til later,'
they don't complain. That's been awfully nice. Also, they don't
cheer for shots that just get airborne."
Tiger does Scotland? No international incidents yet. But Woods
in Scotland is a fascinating convergence of contrasts. The home
of golf since the 1600s hosts the golfer of the 21st century.
The kilt and the swoosh. Haggis, neeps and tattes (a traditional
Scottish meal) and the Quarter Pounder with cheese (Woods' favorite).
There have been no fan crushes, no drunken "You the man!"
screams yet. But there is little doubt the Scots are fascinated
by Woods. They certainly know of his record-shattering Masters
victory and seven wins in 11 months as a professional. The size
of his practice-round galleries Monday and Tuesday are proof of
that.
While a few thousand fans followed Woods on Tuesday, six-time
British Open champion Tom Watson was only a hole behind, with
only a scattering of fans. Even Britain's beloved Nick Faldo and
native son Colin Montgomerie have had much smaller galleries than
Woods.
"It's unbelievable," said John Cook, one of Woods'
playing partners both Monday and Tuesday. "People already
are yelling for Tiger, while no one seemed interested in one of
the Open's greatest players (Watson)."
Even with light rain, temperatures in the 50s and wind gusts
of 30 mph Tuesday, fans followed Woods' every move.
Young girls bit their fingernails and giggled when he walked
by. Boys lay on their stomachs beneath the gallery ropes, then
sprinted to a new spot after each Woods hit. Couples murmured
to each other and applauded politely whenever Woods hit a good
shot.
The only shrieking occurred when Woods, after putting out at
No. 18, tossed his ball toward some young fans. Even then, there
was no fighting over the ball. The other kids congratulated the
teenage girl who wound up with the ball.
Players who are veterans of British Opens aren't surprised
by the fans' treatment of Woods. Last week, Australia's Greg Norman
called Scottish fans the most knowledgeable fans in golf. Montgomerie,
whose family kept a summer flat 150 yards from Royal Troon when
he was growing up, has a similar, albeit biased, opinion.
"I think the fans in Britain tend to be golfers themselves
and tend to come out in all weathers," Montgomerie said.
"In that way, they admire good golf from all corners. The
American crowd tends to be more parochial towards their own players."
America also has tabloids, but, as Woods has discovered, there
are no tabloids quite like British tabloids.
On Monday, at least two tabloids reported that Woods' management
group, IMG, asked Royal & Ancient Golf Club officials to provide
Woods with an armed bodyguard during the tournament. The request,
according to the published stories, was denied.
That spawned headlines such as "Security fears strike
at the young Master" and "You are safe here." The
reports caused British Open caddiemaster Willie Aitchison to sharply
criticize Woods.
"It is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen,"
Aitchison said. "Any superstar wanting armed protection anywhere
in this country is a load of rubbish ... I find it obnoxious that
any intelligent person should do something of this nature. It
is a big misjudgment."
The problem is, IMG and Woods deny a bodyguard was requested.
Woods, who has acknowledged receiving death threats during PGA
Tour tournaments, said Tuesday that in America, "I don't
have a bodyguard. Just security to help me out, like marshals."
Indeed, on Tuesday, Woods had just four marshals with him,
about half as many as he had during this year's GTE Byron Nelson
Classic and MasterCard Colonial.
But Woods doesn't seem concerned by the British tabloids. Some
have described him in breathless, unbridled admiration. Others,
like this columnist in the Scottish Daily Mail, have been much
more harsh.
"The Tiger walk," wrote Alan Fraser, "is very
much a case of eyes front in order to avoid the gaze of the unwashed
and undeserving."
But if tabloid portrayals of Woods are shaping Scottish opinion,
it hasn't shown. The fans may not be as adoring as American fans,
but they seem equally in awe. Woods certainly didn't hurt his
reputation in Scotland when he said Tuesday:
"Basically, this is the home of golf. This is probably
the biggest tournament to win in the world, just because of the
fact it is defintely the world Open. You get the best players
here, and the traditions, and you play on traditional golf courses.
That's what it's all about."
Of course, that well could translate into this Wednesday headline:
"Exclusive! Woods says U.S. Open not as important as our
Open."
(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.
Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at http://www.dallasnews.com/
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