"Dear Tiger,
I am leaving this note in your locker so that it can be our secret, at least until I mention it in my press conference.
How did things get so out of hand? It seems like just yesterday that we were going head to head in that PGA Championship at Medinah in 1999. You were fist-pumping and I was scissor-kicking, and the whole world loved us both. We were young and talented. We thought the golf world would celebrate us as we split the next thirty majors between us
50-50. OK, maybe 60-40.
At least that's what I thought.
But as time passed, we both learned that what seems easy can suddenly become difficult. You learned that many people expect a great golfer to be a good guy; I learned that many people only respect a good guy if he's a great golfer. We both know that neither case is necessarily true.
I cannot lie; over the years, it hurt to see you win major after major while I spent most weeks on the "best player never to win a major" list. It stung that when I had my opportunities, they would slip through my fingers like greased ball markers. I admit that after each of them the thought, "Tiger would have closed it out" flashed through mind.
At The Players Championship this year, it seemed like things were going to change. But then you pulled that club.
Look, I don't know if you meant to do it. You probably didn't. But the fact is, as much of a pain as it is the play in the same era as you, it is even more of a pain to play in the same group as you. You know that, and I think you actually enjoy it.
When you pulled that club and the crowd reacted, it was a total synopsis of the last 15 years. Everyone is more interested in watching what club you pick than watching the rest of us actually play. I was angry at the shot, at the crowd and at you. And starting with my statement after that round, I started to vent.
Fifteen years of frustration doesn't go away quickly. When I was asked about the incident at the European Tour dinner in London, I was still mad. I wanted to hurt you. But just like that shot at The Players Championship, I pushed it much too far. Instead of tweaking you, I managed to show a limited ability in English, comedy, modern social studies and event planning.
Tiger, we don't have to be friends, at least not while we are both competing for the same things. But we can compete respectfully, without the kind of base behavior that we see in other sports. We are professional golfers, and I think that means something. I think that we are different than other sportsmen. You are far from perfect and so am I. But in golf, as in life, when you make a mistake you own it and try to do better the next time.
Admitting when they are wrong is something that good men do. That's why I'm leaving you this note, Tiger. Because no matter how great of a golfer I am or will be, it is more important that I am a good man. That's what ultimately matters for me, my family and for the game. Deep down, I believe that you feel the same way.
Good luck, and hopefully we'll see each other on Sunday afternoon, preferably in the final pairing"
- Sergio
Source: tour talk golfwrx
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