A slew of golfers (or would it be a sleeve?) mimicked Tiger Woods' traditional Sunday outfit in the final round of the Workday Championship, wearing a red shirt and black pants. They looked like kids wearing Superman costumes.
Woods is recovering from serious leg injuries suffered last week when he drove off a road in California. He's 45, faces a long rehabilitation, and can't be expected to ever contend in a major championship — or maybe even a PGA Tour event — again.
Watching his peers honor him on Sunday reminded me of one of my strongest memories of covering Woods. It had little to do with swinging a club, and everything to do with the presence of stars of a certain magnitude.
In the 2007 Masters, Woods finished in a tie for second. He had just walked off the 18th green when he reluctantly agreed to a brief interview with CBS reporter Bill Macatee on a small stage in the walkway to the clubhouse.
Macatee touched his ear, indicating that a producer was speaking to him. He told Woods there would be a delay.
What followed was not quiet so much as the absence of sound. Not awkwardness so much as intimidation. Even as roars and cheers wafted up the hill, the crowd around Woods remained silent as he stewed and stared into space, as Macatee neither attempted small talk nor made eye contact.
When the interview finally began, Woods offered a few abrupt answers, then walked off. The crowd followed and cheered.
Woods did not need to win or behave well to command attention. He loomed.
