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Sports

North Haven SportsBeat: Ok to Like Tiger Again?

Tiger Woods won a tournament last Sunday. Did he win back the fans, as well?

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No athlete has ever suffered a fall from grace like Tiger Woods. All but universally admired and respected, Woods became the most hated athlete on the planet after it was revealed he was a serial cheater nearly three years ago. His reputation was shattered and his game imploded. Woods went from legend to being lampooned by "Saturday Night Live" and mocked by nearly everyone in need of a good laugh.

Slowly, but surely, Woods has put the pieces of his life and game back together. Last Sunday, he won for the first time in nearly 1,000 days, running away from the field in the Bay Hill Invitational. Wearing his final round red shirt, it was vintage Tiger with booming drives and knee-knocking putts that he made as if they were gimmes. While he may have won a tournament, Woods has yet to win back many of the fans he alienated because of his colossal infidelity.

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"I respect him as an athlete, but not as a person," said Beverly Campbell of "It takes a strong and respectful person to stay true and honor their vows to their family. He didn't have the will power or strength to do that. He's a weak man."

former standout golfer at who currently plays at Princeton University, feels that Woods has proved a lot during the rehabilitation of his game.

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"As a golfer and someone who knows how difficult the game is, I respect what Tiger has done during his comeback," said the 2010 Connecticut State Amateur champion. "I don't really try to judge people by their personal lives. "I think it's great for the game that he's back playing well."

Greenwich resident and PGA professional Paul Alexander witnessed first-hand how the crowds have reacted toward Woods this year. He followed the former number one player three weeks ago at the Honda Classic in Florida.

"The crowds following Tiger were huge," said Alexander, who was the head pro at Brae Burn in Purchase, New York for seven years. "And the people loved him. There were some who would take cheap shots at him with insults, but the majority of fans wanted to see him do well. They were yelling, 'Go Tiger', 'We're behind you', and just encouraging him a lot."

When Woods hit that fire hydrant at the end of his driveway in November of 2009, a lot more flowed out than countless gallons of water. The sordid details of his sex life came gushing out, painting a picture of man whom many thought was perfect.

"I think a lot of it was our fault," said Alexander. "We put him on such a high pedestal and when we found out he wasn't who we thought he was, people just jumped all over him."

Next Thursday, all eyes will be on Woods when he tees off at the Masters. Coming off the win at Bay Hill, he's riding a wave of momentum, at least on the golf course. The expiration date for disliking Woods doesn't appear to be coming up any time soon.

"I never liked to begin with. Why start now?" said Virgina Ross of "He is an incredible athlete but otherwise but I could care less about him."

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