Tiger Woods's reputation taking a hit as struggles continue
2015 has not been a year to remember for Tiger Woods.
He's only participated in five tournaments for the 2014-15 season, with two T17 finishes, including one at The Masters, standing as his best of the year. With two missed cuts and a disappointing Players Championship appearance, golf fans are missing the Tiger of old - although one journalist isn't even all that impressed by his past performance.
Award-winning sportswriter Dan Jenkins bashed Woods in an interview with Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published Monday. Engel asked if Jordan Spieth could replicate Tiger's major-winning run from 1997-2008.
"(T)here's much more talent at the top (and the bottom) than there was during Tiger's peak years. Tiger beat a lot of nobodies to win most of his majors," Jenkins said.
Golf Channel's Will Gray compiled a list of players who finished second to Woods in his major victories to examine Jenkins's claim. Though the list does include multiple-major winners Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, seeing the names of Thomas Bjorn, Bob May and Woody Austin gives Jenkins some credit.
This isn't the first time Jenkins has antagonized Woods, as he penned a parody interview with the 14-time major champion in the December 2014 edition of Golf Digest. Woods demanded an apology from the magazine and described the article as a "grudge-fueled piece of character assassination."
With Woods approaching 40 years old and now being ranked 140th in the world, this may be a sign that golf viewers are beginning to turn away from him and toward the sport's next generation of stars.
Another report Wednesday revealed a completely different type of complaint about Woods from TV viewers who are upset not with his play, but with his language.
American broadcasters have received 22 complaints regarding offensive language from golfers since 2011, according to BBC Sport, and Woods accounted for 15.
"I should not be subjected to this in my own home," said one disgruntled viewer, while another wished to be free from viewing "vile, insulting assaults."
These numbers are likely skewed due to the fact Woods dominates the broadcasts whenever he's on the course. Nonetheless, if Woods is concerned about his apparently shrinking fanbase, now he knows what he may have done to alienate 15 potential supporters.