Tiger vs.

Phil: A Mythological Battlefield

It could not have been scripted any more poignantly. Tiger Woods was lurking – four shots off the lead
heading into the final round of the Masters. Phil Mickelson was poised – one shot off the lead and in the
final pairing. Tiger had not played competitive golf in 5 months – dealing with the implications of his
infidelity and lechery. Phil had played distracted golf for 11 months – dealing with the implications of his
wife’s and then his mother’s discovery of breast cancer. They were both, in very different ways, trying to
find their way back into competition at the highest level – fighting through personal and powerful
demons.

It was the Masters – one of the most time-honored traditions in all of sports. But this year, the sub-plot
became the main story line. Phil played his way to victory and was greeted by his wife and children
behind the 18th green. They embraced, and wept, overwhelmed by the jubilation – something they had
not felt in a very long time. Tiger staggered to a 4 th place finish, and walked alone from the course, after
bitterly answering a few questions from the TV analyst.

This year the Masters was far more than a golf tournament. It was a metaphoric battle between all that
can be good between a husband and wife, and all that can go wrong in a forsaken marriage. Phil
exemplified the promise of presence “through sickness and in health”. Tiger stood as a symbol of the
pain of shattered trust. Phil was wearing all black, as if to call attention to the single point of color in his
wardrobe – a pink ribbon on his hat – a ribbon that symbolizes the fight against cancer. Tiger was
wearing his traditional red shirt, though this year it looked more like a scarlet letter than a statement of
power.

It was epic. Mythology played out on the grand stage of Augusta National. Good versus Evil. Right versus
Wrong. And women, and not a few men, around the world were cheering for the winner. And weeping.

Of course, it is never as simple as that. Phil may or may not be a great husband, or a good man for that
matter. And Tiger is not evil, even if he has made some incredibly hurtful choices. But the juxtaposition
of Phil and Tiger is powerfully suggestive. Phil had karma and love and hope on his side. Tiger had guilt
and pain and reparation to overcome. Mythologically speaking, the right guy won.

Had Tiger won, the tournament may have offered a story of redemption. As it stands, the 2010 Masters
delivered a story of the power of love to overcome incredibly painful circumstances. And judging by
what we saw from Tiger, the story ended correctly. He appears to be a long way away from a story of
redemption. Let’s hope he gets there.