Excellence

So I was watching a bit of golf today. I know. Golf. The sport with the plaid pants.

Anyway, now that you've stopped laughing at me, I will move on to my point. I enjoy watching golf, but really only when Tiger Woods is playing. If you follow sports at all, you'll know that Tiger Woods has been injured for a while now, and is just making his return to the PGA Tour.

So I was thinking, why do I like watching Tiger so much? Here's what I came up with:

First, I just enjoy watching him play. I like watching his demeanor and focus - it's really very impressive. He seems to will himself to success at times. For anyone fortunate enough to have watched the US Open last year, you'll know what I'm talking about (videos below for those who missed it!). I really don't think non-golfers appreciate what Woods has achieved as a golfer. It's just not a sport you dominate in the way he has. It doesn't work that way - if your club is one-half of a degree off on contact, you're a nobody.

I think more importantly, though, Tiger Woods excels at what he does to an extent that I can only dream of. I mean, I'd like to excel at something. So far, I've really not done anything with my life. That's OK. I'm young. But to watch someone who is not much older than me be the best at something - the clear best - that's really encouraging. I like to think that I won't settle for mediocrity - that I'll be the best at something one day. And I guess watching Tiger succeed as he has is, you know, inspirational. Or something.

For those of you who missed it, you gotta watch these highlights from last year's US Open. Note that he was playing this tournament with a torn ligament in his knee and a double stress fracture in his leg, which is CRAZY:

Third Round:


Fourth Round playoff forcing putt: