It is the world we live in, especially the fishbowl existence of athletes and entertainers.
Everyone now knows Tiger Woods was found in his car early Monday morning. He looked drunk, sounded drunk and therefore was taken in by the police for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Woods' mugshot hit the Internet, and most assumed it was just another stage of Dante's Inferno for Woods. Since his first back surgery in 2014, he has fallen from golf's penthouse almost to the outhouse, and some obviously thought he had landed there when he was believed to be wasted out of his mind a few miles from his home in Jupiter, Fla.
He was not drunk. He hadn't even been drinking, blowing a 0.00 on the breath test twice. He agreed to a urine test and that came back clean, too.
Woods, who officers said was as cooperative as possible, was asleep because of a mixture of pain medications.
No one knows the extent of his use of the pain meds, but abuse of those substances is an epidemic in America with reportedly more than 20 million addicted.
No one knows his pain, either.
The sports world has watched his fall in amazement. This is the guy who became the No. 1 player in the world before the end of his first year on the PGA Tour. After several short stretches at No. 1, Woods rose to the top in August 1999 and held it for 264 weeks, more than five years. In June 2005, he regained the top ranking and held it for a record 281 consecutive weeks.
Woods took time off to deal with personal problems, including a divorce, and went 107 weeks without a victory, but in 2013 he regained the No. 1 ranking until the first back surgery.
The world of perspiring arts since has watched the man who once dominated golf struggle to make cuts.
Oddly enough, the same world that has given up on Woods found nothing but sympathy and kindness when Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr had to take a leave of absence after a back surgery went wrong.
It seems obvious now that back issues have put Woods career in the rough, and to assume anything else at this time would be unfair.
This morning is the final deadline for getting a team into the most fun golf tournament in the state.
The annual Pat Summerall Classic is Monday, and one must truly see all the prizes to believe it. From Wilson golf bags to the top two teams to tennis rackets for the team who finishes last.
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville football Coach Bret Bielema and much of his staff will be there, as well as a large number of the greatest athletes this state has ever produced.
To be a part of the fun in the sun and to support a great organization, email Tom Mitchell at [email protected] or call Terri Johnson at (501) 313-4158.
The tournament, sponsored by Deltic Timber, will be played at Chenal Country Club and starts with lunch. There are two receptions, one before lunch with Bielema (talk to Terri about the details) and members of his staff, and the Wilson/John Bailey reception after the day of golf.
Not surprising that Las Vegas bookmakers already have posted the odds on who will win the College World Series. NCAA Tournament play begins this week, then there's the Super Regionals and finally the College World Series, but Vegas has a line on almost everything.
Oregon is the top pick at 4-1. North Carolina is second at 5-1.
Florida is tied for third at 7½-1 with Louisville and LSU.
The other SEC teams are Kentucky at 12-1 and Arkansas at 16-1.
And one really early look at football has the Razorbacks even money to win seven games.
Sports on 06/01/2017