Was chatting to someone today who said he had heard a rumour doing the rounds on t'internet - there isn't much wrong with Tiger. Supposed evidence:

• He has access to the best surgeons and post operative care in the world.
• He claims he hasn't had a chance to walk a full 18 holes of golf before the US open, yet he comes out plays pretty damn well and wins it after 18 extra holes
• He allegedly has a serious knee injury and looks to be in pain after some shots. But note he only seems to be in pain after the bad ones! and it doesn't stop him doing a crouched fist pumping action on a number of greens - with no evidence of a grimace of pain to be seen
• his withdrawal from competition for the rest of the season just happens to co-incide with... the introduction of drug testing in tour events.  What an embarrassment if the World's top golfer was suddenly found to be a drug cheat
• Wood's physique seems to have undergone a massive transformation in a relatively short time, and he sometimes looks now like a bodybuilder or an olympic sprinter in terms of his body shape, not a golfer.
• Apparently he is a gym fanatic and trains every day getting up at the crack of dawn to go and pump iron for a couple of hours. Traditionally, such hardcore regimes are backed up by a liberal dosage of steroids or other drugs to avoid complete breakdown.

 I haven't seen the origins of these rumours so I'm not sure what has actually been said or reported... but it does make you think , doesn't it? 

Or is that just a reflection of our sadly cynical society?

always someone who wants to believe or promote the worst about the best.

imo, he was injured, he did have surgery and he always has been drug free.

your'e also right.  we do have a sadly cynical society

No, it doesn't make me think.

What a load of sad, cynical gits: They all probably believe in UFOs & the Kennedy conspiracy as well.

"Apparently he is a gym fanatic and trains every day getting up at the crack of dawn to go and pump iron for a couple of hours. Traditionally, such hardcore regimes are backed up by a liberal dosage of steroids or other drugs to avoid complete breakdown."

You've either got a gym membership for the status points it gives or you've got a gym membership that you use but have yet to see the results.

"Wood's physique seems to have undergone a massive transformation in a relatively short time, and he sometimes looks now like a bodybuilder or an olympic sprinter in terms of his body shape, not a golfer."

Which is what happens when you train and eat...

Well I found it food for thought.

But after this thought, I think I have to give him the benefit of doubt (if any), in absense of any any real evidence against him (other than internet rumour).

An interesting theory anyway.

Actually, he's a Lithnon from the planet Lithnon IV. I know this to be true, as my mum's hairdersser  knows somebody who heard from their local chemist that their milkman had read it on the internet.

Slayer

I don't need your lecture on gym training. I as reporting what someone else had relayed to me and inviting comment.

Whilst there is no doubt that Tiger has gone from being a 'streak of piss' to a bit of a tank, he is still not that 'big'. Nevertheless, I still don't see very many others out there on tour who could be likely candidates for using training 'supplements'. There is a few young players out there who seem to be in good shape, but I've not seen any other golfer 'fill out' such as Tiger. Other than Monty/Clarke when they hit the pies hard!

Furthermore, regarding those out there who cannot bring themselves to question Tiger's integrity, I'd have to ask why this is? The guy seems to have a mean or selfish streak, together with a 'winning is everything' mentality. He is not Gandhi or Jesus Christ as some people try to make out.

The simple fact is that using substances of whatever kind has been completely legal up until recently. Therefore for a gym-rat such as Tiger, in the previous years why would he not take advantage of anything that might help you, it seems eminently sensible.

FWIW, I'm not one for conspiracies, and I don't believe Tiger is taking the year off to dodge tests at all, the prospect of such a thing seems a bit too contrived.

McStumpy wrote (see)

Actually, he's a Lithnon from the planet Lithnon IV. I know this to be true, as my mum's hairdersser  knows somebody who heard from their local chemist that their milkman had read it on the internet.

I think you're right. And Lithium Ion batteries are his Kryptonite. I mean, how many times have you seen him on a mobile. You haven't, 'cos he can't have one. He'd turn into a 22 handicapper. That's why he created the Tiger Woods Foundation. To answer his phone. And... And, that's why Stevie Williams shouts at photographers. They have Lithium Ion batteries in their cameras.He don't want them getting to close. I mean, everytime Tiger hooks his driver into the trees there's a photographer nearby. Coincidence, I think not.

It must be true, 'cos I made it up

As someone who has had a similar injury to Tiger (ruptured cruciate ligament and strained medial ligament) I know that I was not allowed to play golf for a year post my operation and then my game was shot to hell for 12 months after that.  Apparently golf is one of the worst games to play after this operation due to the stresses it puts on those ligaments during the swing. 

Tiger has access to the worlds best surgeons and physios, I am sure, yet I must admit I was amazed at the speed of his comeback after such a major operation.  However if his was not torn but worn he would be able to get back to training and sport faster.  It may be though that he came back too early and caused additional damage to the ligaments by trying to do too much too soon.  

You're quite right to laugh at the conspiracy theory at the start of this thread, it's ridiculous.

"The simple fact is that using substances of whatever kind has been completely legal up until recently. Therefore for a gym-rat such as Tiger, in the previous years why would he not take advantage of anything that might help you, it seems eminently sensible."

Very good points, and im open to all theories, I mean even if Tiger was on steroids, he would never get busted due to the lost money!

The fact is however that no amount of steroids can make you a god like chipper and putter, which has won him more tornys than any other facet of his game RE: the clutch putts to stay in the recent US open.

I can't comment on the injury and rehablitation time. But I can comment on working out.

Before I started working out I weighed in at 10 stone 7 pounds (age 24). Four years later I was 14 stone 7 pounds. Did I need steroids? No. Just hard work, the right food, a supportive partner (it could be murder under the duvet) and rest. As I understand it Tiger does a high rep type of workout which helps the muscles keep a fuller look if carried out on a regular basis.

PS I was asked several times what steroids I was taking. The funny thing is nobody believed you when you told them the truth. Some people just like to believe the worse.