So, the apology finally came.

Tiger Woods stood at a podium at the TPC Sawgrass and said that in matters of his recent indiscretions, he is “the only person to blame.”  Not Elin.  Not anyone else.

“I.”

The statement was carefully crafted and timed, with the look of a high school speech competition entry.  But that is of little consequence.  The stakes were so much higher.  You cold see that.  There was talk of letting down business associates and, of course, talk of letting down the beneficiaries of his charity, whose charitable work he emphasizes must continue.  And that’s fair.  He said there is embarrassment.  He said Elin is innocent in this.

He said what he had to say.  He appeared sincere and he sounded true.  He hung his head but also faced the camera.  There was talk of indiscretion, admission of problems, and laying of personal blame.  It was all there.

I guess the question is, should it have been?

Does Tiger apologize because he is sincerely sorry, or because he is sincerely famous?  Does he protect Elin because that is absolutely the right thing to do, or because her (or his) lawyer strongly advised it?  I have no doubt about the ongoing vitality of his charity, and its importance, but was that a contributing factor to the need for apology?

If Tiger’s tale tells us anything, it is that the higher the status, the higher the stakes.  The higher the stakes, the higher the drama.  The higher the drama, the higher the expectations.  The higher the expectations, the more dramatic the stage.  And the more dramatic the stage, then…well…the more numerous the questions surrounding any apologies.

In the end, I’m not sure if all this was necessary from a personal point of view.  For you and I, apologies would come forth directly to those we hurt…maybe to family and friends.  But the air of Tiger’s press conference felt like he somehow ‘owed’ everyone an apology.

I’ve heard he is a proud man.  That he can be stubborn.  That this apology was hard to make.  Ok.  He can join an exclusive club of roughly 3 billion men around the globe.  The real question is, is he sincere?  That is the only reason to issue apologies when you come right down to it.  I understand he is worth billions and the eyes of the world are upon him.  But in the end, if it wasn’t sincere, then it was bankrupt, assuming it was necessary to begin with.

Many will watch the links around the Internet and read the stories about the apology, much as I did.  Each of you will take away your own interpretation of the events, and will have your own ideas on what transpired.  But always keep in mind as you watch Tiger over the coming months and years…if you are disgusted with him, ask yourself, “Do I ever fall short?  Have I done things I’m ashamed of?”  If the answer is ‘yes’ then ask, “Did I apologize the one person I hurt?”  Because, after all, sincere or not, Tiger just apologized to the world.

Take him or leave him, yet whether or not you think the apology was necessary, you have to give the guy some credit…IF it was sincere.

He has come a long way from that little boy smacking golf balls around the range with his father.  He has become a champion and a hero to many.  Tiger’s tale is long, indeed.  Sincerity is the only thing that can grow it longer now.

-josh