I’d like to start this week’s column by saying thanks to Fred Lloyd, who not only took the time to read my column two weeks ago, but went one step further by writing a letter in response.

However misguided the letter might have been, I’m just glad to hear someone is paying attention and reading. After all, it is just my opinion and you certainly don’t have to read it.

So, thanks Fred. Your letter is presently taped on my refrigerator.

Now, for this week, I want to talk about Tiger Woods, or the sport of golf as I like to call him. It’s true. The future of golf now hinges on whatever comes of Tiger Woods.

This is not because he is going to set the world on fire with his play (which he will do), but because his shoulders now support the weight of being the so-called “savior” of golf. There is no doubt Woods has a great appeal to people who would normally not watch or pay attention to the sport. The question is how long will that last?

Personally I think he has great talent, probably more than any other golfer in history to date, and not to mention what he does and will do for minorities in the sport.

On the other hand, I think he has the tendency to act like a spoiled brat.

He lost his cool in one tournament by throwing a club at his caddie and basically throwing a fit in front of millions of viewers. Then he dropped out of the Buick Challenge as a result of stress.

Stress? You are 20 years old, you have 60 million dollars in endorsements, and you play golf for a living. Stress?

There is also the fact that after withdrawing from the Buick Challenge, he canceled an appearance at an awards ceremony that was then canceled.

If Woods is to shoulder the responsibility that has been placed on him, he will have to quit acting like a baby.

Of course he did not ask for all this pressure, but he did open himself to it when he signed his huge deal with Nike under the stipulations of a certain amount of victories and top ranked finishes.

Anyone who guarantees such great performances, should expect to be showered with attention, and drowned in pressure.

Woods took his first step in becoming a golf legend, by winning the Las Vegas Invitational. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this win, is that it came a week after Woods blew a final round lead at the Quad City.

This shows his ability to come back after disappointment, and struggle through adversity.

As far as Woods being the “savior” of golf, I did not know it needed saving. More people are watching than ever.

We will have to see how he does in the future. It should be interesting to watch.

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Brandon Belisle is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Plainfield, Ill.