Tiger Woods: The Navy Seal

Could you imagine a golf world without Tiger Woods? Well, according to Hank Haney in his new book "The Big Miss", it was a very real possibility at one point during Tiger's career.

"Tiger was seriously considering becoming a Navy SEAL. I didn't know how he'd go about it, but when he talked about it, it was clear he had a plan....I thought, Wow, here is Tiger Woods, greatest athlete on the planet, maybe the greatest athlete ever, right in the middle of his prime, basically ready to leave it all behind for a military life."

While it's hard to believe Tiger would actually give up his success on the golf course, I guess I could see him as a man of the military. His dad was in the military and he shares many of the characteristics - he's disciplined, he's hard-working and he's capable of going for the jugular. Plus, he could finally put his stonewalling abilities to good use by testifying before Congress.

If he was in the military, I wonder what his nickname would be? General Tiger "Stonewall" Woods?

You can read the above excerpt on GolfDigest.com or in the April issue of Golf Magazine.

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Flickr, Keith Allison

[ comments ]

snuffyword says:
Since Tiger is his nickname, maybe he can be called Eldrick. Knowing how the military minds usually work, they might go with "Crash".

2/28/12

bkuehn1952 says:
Yes, and when I grow up I am going to be a cowboy.

2/28/12

birdieXris says:
He might have gone into the military, but wouldn't have cut it as a SEAL.

2/28/12

mjaber says:
Not sure I'd call him the "greatest athlete on the planet"... I think that might be a bit of a stretch.

2/28/12

SpaceMaNy0 says:
I was going to say what mjaber said. He'd get flattened by NFL'er, great an athlete as he might be. That doesn't count punters and kickers.

I can't wait for Tiger-free golf coverage. Never happen though, even after he dies they'll find a way to show his whole round while the leaders are putting for eagle.

2/28/12

Duke of Hazards says:
Navy SEALS don't forget to put on their belts and stare off into the clouds.

2/28/12

homermania says:
Probably would have gotten Osama in fewer strokes...

2/28/12

guzzlingil says:
I don't believe it......it is just an attempt to "rebuild his image"

2/28/12

srogers13 says:
Guz, remember Pat Tillman. And this is from Hank Haney's book, not from Tiger's PR people.

2/28/12

guzzlingil says:
yes, I am familiar with Tillman (sad story)....TW doesn't strike me as though he comes from the same mold......

2/29/12

mjaber says:
I have 2 words for Mr. Haney... Jim Thorpe

2/29/12

Banker85 says:
xris: what makes you think tiger wouldn't cut it as a SEAL? I think he would have excelled at anything he really wanted.

spacemanyo: Tiger is a great athlete i would never say best ever but he is up there for sure. What does it matter if he would get flattened by an NFL'er??? The logic is not all there.

2/29/12