I started playing golf when I went and watched THE GOAT play at The Byron Nelson in '97. Tiger is golf, when he plays a tournament, people plan their day around when he is on tv, not so much when he is not playing. Obviously he has had off course issues, but believe me, I am not one to cast stones in a glass house. No matter what, we can't take away what that man has done for the game, or on the course.

Well stated, and I started playing at the same time.

I believe this. And I will watch Golf if Tiger is playing and its too windy to fish. But I just cant grasp that he is still waaaaaay back of Jack in Majors but is he unquestionably the GOAT.
I mean I loved Troy and Roger but as sad as it is they have came up short to that cheater Brady...

DH....I started playing golf as a teen because of Jack....had Golden Bear shirts and all. Like I said, I am strictly speaking to his status with golfer's and the general public from that era...."beloved" does not speak to accomplishments. Tiger is, in my mind, the greatest player to ever live, but beloved is not the right word for his public....they are neither purists nor students of the game. They are the ones drunkenly screaming "GET IN THE HOLE" ....just my opinion as a person that "grinded" his way to a single digit handicap without a single lesson.

As for the rest of your comments, GF yourself big boy

Lol definitely agree with you on the last statement! I'm on a couple golf forums as well, and they have been on fire since Tiger won this last weekend. I think even if Tiger won 19 majors, he will still have the naysayers, some people Tiger just rubs the wrong way. I know the way I felt when I heard the news of his infidelity, it definitely knocked him down in my mind. I do believe he now has been trying to clean up his off course problems and better the game for us followers. Either way like him or hate him, Tiger IS the needle!

So if you like tiger you’re a moron and know nothing about the game?? Come on man, That in itself is Moronic.

If fat jack played now no one would know who fat jack was.

Here's my 2 cents.
If Payne Stewart would not have died, Tiger would probably have 1/3 less wins than he has and would be no where near GOAT status. As of now though he is the most popular or talked about golfer past or present to the majority.

you shut your filthy pie hole.

Sure do miss Payne. He was what golf should be.

Rocky, I am a huge Payne fan and have a very large framed picture of him behind my desk in my office, so I am not bashing. Payne (also an SMU Alum) turned pro in '79 and deceased in '99, in that time he had 11 PGA tour victories. Payne passed at the age of 42, I'm not sure he would have won twenty something more tournaments at that age? I can't say I watched him play much, but he did bring enjoyment out to the fans and everyone truly loved him.

Great question, Dubee.

Gig, not a hero at all. Just like Tom Brady isn’t a hero of mine, but he is the GOAT. I don’t like him personally, I don’t like the Pats, but he is the GOAT. I can separate the on field stuff and personal stuff, because I’m not talking about the Greatest Person of All Time. I’m talking about the Greatest Golfer (or QB) of All Time.

Like I said, I read what you wrote. I comprehended what you wrote. You’re talking personal experience about Jack and I’m talking objectively about Tiger. You just made my point for me. Purists aren’t the only fans that matter, and that should be obvious.

You may not like the bros that yell on every shot, you may not like the way the game has grown or that public courses are full of guys in baggy shorts and tennis shoes who shoot 115 every round and never get better, but those guys love Tiger and watch on TV, or buy tickets, or buy golf balls and pay greens fees because of him.

He was awesome.

Amen. My all/time favorite. RIP Payne. THE MAN.