Woods Still Struggling

Tiger Woods is playing what may be the worst golf of his career. (Photo by Jeff Lewis)

By Jason Lewis
Sentinel Sports Editor

Tiger Woods road back to the top of the golf world is not going as well as expected, but at least he will not have to pay the reported $750 million his soon to be ex wife in a divorce settlement.

The staggering figure was outlandish when it was first reported.  Woods is the first athlete to earn a billion dollars, but that does not mean that he has a billion dollars.  Forbes has his estimated net worth at $600 million.

It is interesting that the customary punishment for infidelity has become financial ruin.  Cheating on a spouse should lead to losing that spouse.  Finances are a separate subject.

Woods will pay Elin Nordegran a reported $100 million in the divorce settlement, which is more than the prenuptial agreement called for.  Nordegran is getting more money so that she will not talk to the media about Woods infidelity and it bars her from writing a book about her marriage and divorce to Woods.

Woods is simply paying her to be quite and to avoid going to court, where his business would become public record.

Woods' life off the golf course has been rough, and it has not been much better on the course.

At this past weekend's AT&T National Woods failed to par a single hole for the first time in over a decade, and it was only the fourth time that has happened to him in his career.  He went on to finish 46th in the event.

Woods' play has gotten even worse during his first overseas appearance since his extramarital affairs.  While playing at the J.P. McManus Invitational Pro-Am in Ireland, Woods shot a 7-over 79 in the first round.  He bogeyed six holes, double-bogeyed the 7th, and managed a lone birdie on the 17th.

Woods is nowhere near the dominant force he has been over the course of his career.  He just can't seem to get his golf game back on track.

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