Dear Tiger,
I forgive you. I know that doesn't mean very much coming from some random guy whom you never met and likely never will, but I felt compelled to say it. There are already a number of people with opinions about you statement this morning. Facebook and twitter are in full bloom with comments about your words, many of them questioning your sincerity. I think these people have a lot of audacity in judging the intentions and heart of someone they have never met or discussed the situation with. But just for the record, not only do I forgive you, but I believe you.
You discussed that you felt a certain sense of entitlement to indulge yourself in all the temptations around you because of all your hard work. Wow. That must have been a difficult thing to admit. Not just to your family and friends and the press but to yourself. We've heard story after story of public figures like yourself making mistakes but none of them have had the courage to acknowledge that. So, I thank you for your transparency.
You also mentioned that you somehow forgot that the rules apply to you too. I am in awe of this. Whether we want to admit it or not, we've all felt like this. We've all done things that sent the message that the rules that apply to everyone else don't apply to us. As you have discovered, this attitude is poisonous to us. But at least you had the courage to come out and say it. The acknowledgement that you weren't living according to "the rules" is a step toward healing that most people will never make. Even as they sit back and criticize people like you who's mistakes are tabloid fodder while they continue to hide their deepest secrets to make themselves appear better than the rest of us. Ultimately, it is hurting them as well and that is very sad.
I say all this, Tiger, so that you will know that you still have at least one fan. Not just of your golf game but of you as a person. Did you make some mistakes? Absolutely. There is no question about it. And I don't think you should simply be let off the hook for it. But you are taking steps now that display a high quality of character in my opinion. You have decided to continue to focus on healing yourself and your family rather than return to golf right away. Way to go! I truly hope to see you on the golf course again soon. I want to see you get 19+ majors. You are an amazing golfer who continues to make mind boggling shots when you're out there. Your focus on the course is second to none and it shows on the score cards and the stat sheets. I hope you put that same drive and that same focus now into your marriage, family and personal healing, so that when you do get back into golf, you will be whole again and free from distraction.
Finally, Tiger, I wanted to let you know that I will still point you out as a role model to my children. Not because you're a great golfer. Not because you are best at what you do. And not because you are perfect. But because you are NOT perfect. Because, when faced with your biggest failures, you chose to deal with it head on rather than run. You chose to make your marriage your priority when it would have been easy to simply divorce and continue playing golf. You didn't take the easy road of excess and denial, but the difficult path of healing and restoration. As much as I hate it, my kids are going to make mistakes in their lives. And when they do, I hope they face them with the same raw, gut-wrenching honesty and courage that you are displaying now. Well done Tiger. Well done. You still have at least one fan.
Sincerely,
-John Hall
