Tiger left shoeless in Toronto
Steve Keating
Tiger Woods gets paid millions of dollars to remind people, "don't leave home without it."
But the world's best golfer sheepishly admitted Monday he had forgotten his golf shoes as he teed it up at a demonstration event to launch the new American Express credit card that uses that famous pitch and now bears his image.
"No golf shoes," said Woods, instantly forgiven by 5,000 loyal fans who had made the early morning trek to Toronto's Centre Island to watch their idol hit a few balls. "I forgot them in my room.
"God, I'm such an idiot."
If possible, the confession only further endeared Woods -- the world's most recognisable and marketed athlete -- to his adoring public by offering evidence that the golfing and money-making machine is indeed human after all.
While Woods' spikes were missing, nothing else during the morning corporate schmooze-fest was overlooked.
To introduce the new golf-themed card, American Express spent over $1 million on Woods brief 45-minute appearance, transforming part of Centre Island into a driving range complete with stands, jumbo television screens and a golf village.
Woods did not walk on water but rather chose to appear from out of the sky, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd that included his girlfriend and Swedish model Elin Nordgren, as his private helicopter touched down on the makeshift fairway.
A little stand-up comedy, a bit of juggling, some banter, a few homespun stories, a few thundering drives and the Tiger-love in -- promoted as "Tiger Takes Toronto" -- was in full swing.
For the big finish, Woods slipped into a Toronto Maple Leaf ice hockey jersey and hit a few balls with a hockey stick before once again disappearing into the sky.
BUSINESS OF SPORT
Woods appearance in Toronto had little to do with golf and everything to do with the business of the sport and the mystique that surrounds its number one spokesperson.
Regular golf writers and broadcasters who attended the pre-event press conference were left frustrated as fashion, entertainment and political writers all descended on the event also wanting to know Woods views.
The syndicated programme Fashion Television questioned Woods about his style: "Conservative. They provide the clothes and I just put it on. I just pick it and go and hope it matches.
On politics: "Conservative."
Star Entertainment, on a future movie career: "No, no, no. Not up my alley."
On ordering pizza, does he pay with a credit card?: "I think I can find 10 bucks. I do a lot of things more than people think."
