Vijay Controversy

I have been reading the rather negative press old Vijay has been getting recently. Apparently he left the merry old land of Oz owing money and generally under a bit of a cloud. And then of course there is the cheating accusation (almost 20 years ago no less, I know Im certainly not the same person I was 20 years ago).

Let me ask all the members here a couple of questions

1. Isn't it actually rather refreshing to hear about a guy that dragged himself up out of obscurity to become the best player in the world. I am sick to death of these pampered college boys who were millionaires before they teed it up as a Pro due to sponsorship deals etc etc (i speak of course about the big name guys, of which Singh is one. Not the journeymen pros who inhabit the lower regions of the rankings). I imagine Tiger has never had a minutes financial hardship in his golfing life, never had to worry about a missed cut meaning he might have to sleep in his car with his practice bag as a pillow or maybe having to live on soup and crisps because all his meagre winnings are needed to get him to the next tournament.

2. Is everyone going to lie and say that they wouldnt be tempted to change a score if it meant the difference between survival and oblivion in their profession. I have to say that I am not at all sure that I would be so noble in a similar position. Now you may say I have weak moral fiber but what Singh is accused of is a universe away from not calling a foul on yourself in the monthly medal (which I have done at least 3 times this season alone and no doubt some of you have too). This is a mans living we are talking about and I find all the pontificating by filthy rich golf stars and commentators very hard to swallow. Fact is if he did do it he didnt get charged or disqualified which to me says that he probably didnt.

3. Are you, like me a bit tired of 'Tiger Watch' as if this guy has a divine right to be number one because of what he has done in the past (and because he is american as well lets not forget that) if that was the case then surely Jack Nicklaus should be world number one because he has the most ranking points accumulated? Vijay has been the best for about 2 years now and finally the ever ridiculous world ranking calculator has confirmed it. Els should be number 2 as well, but the USPGA has the world rankings by the short and curlies and unless you play all season on their tour you wont attain the ranking your golf deserves due to the disgustingly biased loading of the importance of USPGA tourneys.

D.

I like Vijay, I like him a lot. He's the proverbial underdog that through perseverance and practice has made it to the very, very top. Imagine it for a moment, a 42 year old Fijian being the world's top golfer.

So my two-penneth is like this:

1. I think the Vijay story is wonderful; he was a club-pro in Borneo at one point. Hopefully his story is inspirational to kids who want to play golf but are not from wealthy backgrounds where parents are members of a club. It can only make golf a richer experience.

2. Yes it was 20 years ago and never proven but the media still like to bring it up. The standards of honesty and integrity in golf are second to no other sport I've played. Indeed in a lot of professional sports "cheating" is now an inherent part of the game and even coached. If it were my livelihood on the line I'd agonise about it but I'd do it - it would mean just too much, after all it wasn't a Pro-Am put on for TV.

3. The way I see it as a Brit is that the USPGA doesn't think golf exists outside of the US. I think Ernie Els may second that opinion given the letter they recently sent him "encouraging" him to play more events in the US. We see identi-kit US college golfers playing identi-kit US courses day in day out. If it wasn't for the likes of Vijay then I really think that interest in golf would wane.

By the way, I did mean that I called fouls on myself, not that I didn't, Just in case there was any confusion.....I'm a rules abiding citizen, me.

D

I agree - I posted something on this subject on another thread as well. Vijay is the #1 golfer in the world and desrves to be there with all the work he puts in. So, why is he the under dog and Tiger the hero? Go Vijay!