The loss of class continues

 

 Is it possible for Tiger Woods to further demonstrate his lack of class and character? Quite possibly. Particularly when he has already demonstrated his lack of class and lack of respect for the game by his previous actions. I would say that this is a sad episode, but I won't. There is nothing sad here, only tragedy.  It is a tragedy that someone with his level of talent, would squander not only his talent but his achievements and legacy via his tawdry conduct of the past.  Now seemingly rehabilitated and on the career rise once again, it appears that as it concerns personal character, Tiger remains lacking and confirms what many have come to realize. Tiger Woods is an asterisk in the game of golf.

The Masters 2013: under-fire Tiger Woods facing player backlash for not withdrawing after wrongly signing his scorecard

In unprecedented scenes on this, the biggest of golfing stages,Woods was hit with a two-shot penalty by the Augusta committee, which chose not to disqualify the world No 1 despite his admission that he took an erroneous drop in his second round.

From being three-under and tied for seventh, Woods went out on one-under and in a tie for 20th. If that represented a grievous blow to his chances of winning the tournament, it still led to suggestions of double standards from golf’s officials, who had given 14-year-old Guan Tianlang a one-shot penalty on Friday.

Sir Nick Faldo was just one of those here appalled by Woods deciding to tee off his third round yesterday.

“He should really sit down and consider this - it will taint his legacy and his life,” he said. “I would be saying: ‘I have broken the rules of golf’. Sometimes the black and whiteness is harsh, but Tiger would get massive brownie points if he stood up and said: ‘Fair enough, I’ve broken the rules’ and walked.”

Explaining why he believed Woods was wrong to play on, Faldo said: “Tiger gained an advantage intentionally. He said so himself. He was judge and jury. If he goes on to win what kind of asterix would he have next to this Masters? Arnold Palmer said that in our game the integrity of golf must be taken forward. We are custodians of the game. We must carry it forward.”