Synopses & Reviews
All eat from the bowl of life -- Tiger Woods just has a bigger spoon. So writes Curt Sampson in his groundbreaking account of the current state of golf and the man who changed the game forever -- Tiger Woods. With a mix of power, skill, and business savvy, Woods has become the biggest sports figure since Michael Jordan, wielding a competitive edge of equal parts inspiration and intimidation. As for the rest of the golfing world -- including other players, junior golfers and their parents, corporate America, agents, instructors, fans, and the media -- it's either catch up or give up.
As in his controversial bestsellers Hogan and The Masters, Sampson digs deep to tell stories that wouldn't otherwise be told. From the Austin golf course worker whose admiration for Woods leads him to spend every waking minute mimicking him, to the unemployed talk show host whose website stretches the bounds of hero worship, to the other end of the scale, where up-and-coming pro Charles Howell III -- tapped by Nicklaus to be the next great challenge to Woods -- continues to close the gap.
By turns moving, hilarious, and eye-opening, Chasing Tiger is an affectionate yet wary account of one extraordinary man's impact on the world of sports, and the game of golf as it moves into a new era.
Review
Guy Yocom senior editor, Golf Digest A facinating and utterly truthful depiction of Tiger and the world he helped create.
Review
Publishers Weekly Sampson is best at capturing the details -- the smell of pine straw on a course or the flush on the back of a pressured participant's neck -- as only a golf aficionado and ace writer can.
Synopsis
There has never been a golfer like Tiger Woods. He is, simply, a phenomenon--a global celebrity whose combination of natural talent, flair, and business savvy have garnered him a range of influence that extends well beyond the fairways and putting greens. In "chasing Tiger, Curt Sampson, a revered sports writer, looks at the extraordinary impact one man has had on other golfers, and on the game of golf itself. He examines the way Tiger's presence has made for stronger competition and better overall results, and rejuvenated golf's image for the media and advertisers alike. Sampson uncovers the opinions of everyone who matters--Tiger's family, friends, fans, golfing legends, the press, and of course, the battalions of hopefuls who long to steal his crown--to create the most objective portrait to date of an intensely private sportsman. "Chasing Tiger is an insider's exploration of the state of golf today--with important speculation as to who is ready, both psychologically and physically, to overtake Tiger in the future. Revelatory, informative, and steeped in Sampson's engaging wit and evident love of golf, it's required reading for every golfing fan.
About the Author
Curt Sampson is a former golf touring professional and a regular contributor to Golf magazine and golf.com. He is the author of seven books, including the bestsellers The Masters and Hogan - about which Steve Jones said, "I couldn't have won the US Open without reading this book." His most recent book, Royal and Ancient, is a behind-the-scenes look at the British Open. He lives in Ennis, Texas.
Table of Contents
ContentsIntroduction
1 Total Commitment!
2 The Tuna Mint
3 Chasing Frank Lickliter
4 Keiser, Fleck, or Fiori
5 A Bowl of Life
6 Tigerwoodsisgod.com
Postscript