Begay: Woods a lot more humble, grounded
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By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
As a former college teammate and roommate, and as a close friend of Tiger Woods, Notah Begay III has become something of an unofficial spokesman for all things Tiger.
Begay has been about as close as anyone could get to the Woods camp these last few months. Tuesday, when Woods announced he'd be returning to competitive golf at the Masters next month, Begay said he suspected that's where Woods' return would be.
"I couldn't think of a better place to become reaquainted with the game than Augusta National and the Masters; the history of the tournament; the way they run it," Begay told me via cell phone.
"The one downside is I hope the hype and media attention doesn't take away from the fact that it is a major championship, that it doesn't take away from the other players that week."
Good luck with that. Augusta, Ga., has been hosting the Masters for decades and seen it's share of big moments both on and off the course, but the town of 194,000 will experience a crush the likes of which it is not familiar.
"I think probably a lot of players are concerned, if not upset, that it is going to be such a distraction," Begay said. "But a lot of others are probably glad to just have him back.
"It's probably going to be the highest rated week in the history of golf. There's no precedent to compare this to that's taken place in golf, or any sport. Everybody will be just flying by the seat of their pants."
Or sitting on the edge of their chair, sofa or bar stool. In Jacksonville International Airport Tuesday, every television I saw was tuned to the news of Woods' announcement.
From a logistical and competitive standpoint, returning at the Masters -- as opposed to the Tavistock Cup or Arnold Palmer Invitational, both of which had been rumored at one point -- makes sense.
"Being the competitor he is, Tiger is trying to create the best situation to make his way back and to compete," Begay said. "From a security standpoint, there's probably not a better place in the world to play golf."
Begay, who underwent his own public scrutiny -- albeit on a much smaller scale -- for a DUI arrest and subsequent jail time in 2000, said he hasn't been in touch much with Woods lately other than to help him through his private family matters.
But Begay said that, "for the sharpness of his game, it would have been great to see him at Bay Hill or even Houston [for the Shell Houston Open] because of the way it's set up like Augusta National."
What we can expect to see from Woods when he does come back? No one will really know until he tees it up that Thursday afternoon in April at Augusta National, a place where he has won four times, the last being in 2005.
Begay also added this entire experience has changed Woods for the better away from the golf course.
"It's been excruciatingly difficult for everybody," Begay said. "He's definitely a lot more humble and a lot more grounded.
"This whole thing has taken him from his stratosphere, to where he's had to evaluate himself and his priorities. There's a degree of humility that's much more apparent. And a little humility never hurt anyone."
Even Tiger Woods.
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