This could have been so much worse for Woods
Yes, Bill Plaschke, we can all be thankful that Tiger Woods is still alive. And we can also be thankful that Woods did not kill or injure anyone else due to his apparent speeding and reckless driving.
Bob Lentz Sylmar
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If any one of us had three car accidents with injuries, one with a reckless driving guilty plea, do you think we would still have a driver’s license and still not be prosecuted? Well, Tiger Woods just keeps getting away with misconduct and his limited driving skills. How does Tiger avoid being punished by the law?
Ray Uhler Laguna Niguel
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In light of Tiger Woods’ auto accident, it appears that a remake of 1951’s “Follow the Sun” might be in order. John R. Grush Palm Desert
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While I’m glad Tiger Woods didn’t suffer more serious injuries in his traffic collision, Bill Plaschke’s column on Woods’ car crash goes too far. Like seemingly every other sportswriter, Plaschke ignores Woods’ many flaws and foibles and exalts him because he’s a good golfer. But what an ironic twist of fate that Woods suffered a potentially careerending leg injury in the crash.
Former pro golfer Casey Martin suffers from Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, a rare congenital circulatory disorder that frequently caused blood to pool in his lower leg and knee, an excruciatingly painful condition. This condition impaired Martin’s ability to walk and essentially precluded him from competing on the PGA Tour, where the players cannot use a cart. In the late 1990s, Martin asked the tour for an exception. Had Woods lobbied on behalf of Martin, the rest of the players probably would have capitulated and allowed Martin to use a cart. But Woods — Martin’s teammate at Stanford — remained silent, forcing Martin to sue the PGA Tour under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Although Martin ultimately prevailed in the lawsuit, it took several years for the case to wind through the courts, costing Martin precious time as his leg continued to atrophy.
For all of Woods’ accolades I find it disturbing that he continues to get a pass on his failures as a human. I find his lack of humility and compassion troublesome, but too many writers attribute those shortcomings as the residue of his laser-like focus on the golf course. His crash was likely the result of his driving too fast, yet even that is being excused since he was late for a golf function. Enough is enough. I grew up in Palos Verdes and have driven that stretch of Hawthorne Boulevard countless times. It’s a steep descent with two runaway vehicle escape lanes. The world needs to start seeing Woods for who he truly is.
Brian Gura Redondo Beach
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Plaschke’s prediction that Tiger will “surely never have a chance to catch Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 championships” or pass Sam Snead in tour wins is a good indication that Tiger will be back and ready to go in 2022 with a good chance at a full recovery. Mike Anderson
Sherman Oaks