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So what's this all about. If an athelete doesn't sign autographs he's a bad guy? I think it's a personality issue, some people are more private than others. I think athletes should be immune from these types of comparisons. It seems that this kind of ridicule should be reserved for movies stars musicians etc., they seek stardome. Athletes just want to compete at the highest level.

just bragging rights, by getting an autogragh, now i can say that i had this famous persons individuals attention, if only for a few seconds, and have it in writing for proof. no one will no if it was a mob scene type or if that person actually stopped and offered to sign.

I'm not one to look for autographs, but at the 1996 US Open I got Nicklaus, Watson and Woods to sign the same hat. Nice Father's Day gift for my dad.

Maybe if Phil spent more time putting on the practice green than signing autographs, he'd be able to win a few more majors!

These guys are at work, even when they are at the driving range or on the putting green. If they take a break and decide to sign even one autograph while they are working, then they have done well. Problem is, as some others have indicated, that if Tiger signed 1000 autographs at an event, that would still leave 5000 people wanting them.

The truth is Tiger Woods signs way less autographs than Mickelson. The reporter was very smart to point this out, and draw out Tiger's excuses on why he is so lazy when it comes to autograph signing for children.

So, were you beaten with a stuffed tiger as a child, or do you come by all this hatred for Tiger Woods naturally?

He must sign some autographs as there many "autographed" items on EBAY.

And you came to know this for certain because.....



Hey maybe TGC can start a Phil counter. You know that silly thing they do with the Vijay counter, ticking off on a counter for every practice stroke he takes with woods, irons, and his putter. They could start a Phil counter.

- hats signed
- balls autgraphed
- programs scrawled on
- gloves

Yeah, that would be some great t.v.

Have you ever been to a Tour event in which Tiger attended? Having worked the inside the ropes at his event the last four years I've seen how pushy people get when trying to get his autograph. His justification for not signing for everyone is completely legitimate (i.e. in certain places and times its not safe for him to stop because the kids up front get crushed).

I'll give you an example of the type of people I'm talking about (and they aren't only unsafe around kids but also rude and potentially threatening to the players)...three years ago at the Target World Challenge on Thursday or Friday Tiger was walking between the 10th green and 11th tee when a guy slammed a clipboard with a photo into Tiger's chest and said "Sign it." Tiger stopped and looked at the guy before knocking the clipboard to the ground...the look said it all and I can't blame him. After the round Tiger signed his card and proceeded up the hill to the clubhouse for a post round interview. As he walked by the barracades surrounding the practice green the rush of people pushing forward to ask for his autograph sandwiched a few little kids against it. When people realized he wasn't stopping to sign they backed off...fortunately for the kids who likely would have been seriously injured had he stopped.

Tiger's tounament doesn't get the kind of crowds you see at Firestone, Augusta, Bay Hill, or any other Tour stop for that matter and he still err's on the side of safety when it comes to signing. Not only that...if you follow Tiger after his round he has a lot of commitments that eat up his time. I've outlined the routine fairly accurately in another thread if you care to review it.

Tiger isn't lazy for not signing every item put in front of his face. He's got other commitments that limit his time for signing AND he's looking out for the kids to make sure they don't get crushed.

Is signing as many times as Phil worth ignoring the safety of the spectators? Should he sign for everyone or only those that treat him with respect and ask politely? Ultimately you always end up with a few fans that feel ripped off because he didn't sign...but based on the above examples I can't say that I blame him for not spending hours doing it like others.

will somebody please think of the children?!

Obviously Tiger shouldn't sign as many as Phil, much less sign any for that matter. Its still important to point out how Phil Mickelson caters to the fans, while Tiger Woods just ignores them for the most part. These are two different guys with two very different personalities, we must respect them for the good they both do for the game.

An actual compliment for TW from you? Wow, I'm actually quite surprised to see that.

If he signed an autograph for everyone who asked him, no one would want his autograph anymore because he wouldn't have time to practice.