IF EVER you wanted to see the right and wrong way to handle the media while under pressure – look no further than the very different approaches adopted in the recent US Masters Golf tournament in America.
First we have the sour-faced Tiger Woods who has just finished ten under par with a half chance of winning the title. He must now wait to see if his score can be beaten.
His sullen responses to a friendly television reporter trying to make conversation with him simply re-inforced the widely held view that he is a troubled man. He treated the reporter with contempt and ridicule.
Compare with 21-year-old Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy, who having been leading the tournament until the last round, crumpled under the pressure and ended up way off the lead – having been a hotly tipped favourite to wear the winner’s green jacket. He was disappointed yet philosophical, magnanimous and offered heartfelt congratulations to the eventual winner Charl Schwartzel. He said he was a great golfer and an even better person.
McIlroy said: “I have just played one bad round of golf and missed out on winning a competition. That’s all. There are much worse things going on in the world just now.”
McIlroy became a hero in defeat, cheered off the course for the way he conducted himself. Tiger was nowhere to be seen!
Who won the PR battle? You decide.
Peter Corder
Managing director
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