Opinion: Tiger not out of the Woods but brand will survive

There is no beating around the bunker - the hot topic in sport this week has been Tiger's transgressions, and all the jokes, headlines, and hearsay that goes with that.

Like hyenas circling their prey, the paparazzi, journalists and gold-diggers (and wife?) have pounced on one of sport's highest earners in a rare moment of weakness.

To what extent Tiger Woods has been weak is up for debate.

Was he guilty of bad driving only or was it a domestic dispute that led to his date with a hydrant and tree? If it was the latter, what was the cause of the domestic dispute?

Curiosity killed the cat, but in this case it might kill the Tiger.

Tiger's fall from grace is an indication of how morbidly interested we have become in the personal lives of sports stars.

As the list of supposed mistresses and one-night stands multiplies, one of the most famous golfers in the world retracts even further from the media scrutiny.

I am surprised that (a) Tiger kept this all under wraps for so long, and (b) people either leap to his defence or strike him from their Christmas card list.

I am not surprised by extra-marital accusations. It's not the first time a high-profile sportsman has been caught with his pants down.

David Beckham and Shane Warne, for instance, have had to deal with this attention in the past and have managed to sustain relationships with their sponsors but not necessarily their wives once the furore died down.

Why are we surprised by their off-duty shenanigans when we idolise a person who can hit a small white ball hard and accurately, kick or head a big white ball hard and accurately, or bowl a medium-sized ball hard and accurately?

We idolise these individuals, covet them and their lifestyle, reward them with excessive prize money, sponsorship deals and public adulation, and worship them as heroes and role models.

I hate the hero-worship mentality that is directed at sportspeople like Woods and Beckham.

Yes, they're wonderful athletes, and I gasp in disbelief at what they're capable of doing in the sporting realm, but I don't take that giant leap of faith and believe that they can do no wrong in other aspects of their lives.

Athletes are not morally pure or perfect.

In fact, I'd suggest temptation would be greater for these individuals because of their success, status and lifestyle.

Tiger Woods has enjoyed unprecedented power and influence in golf for some time. His mere presence at a golfing tournament can increase the prize-money pool exponentially, bring in thousands of spectators, and attract global media attention and sponsors.

When he throws a tantrum on the course, people turn a blind eye because he is considered a Messiah.

Tiger has probably bought his way out of scandal in the past, but the one person he couldn't silence or control on that fateful morning was his wife.

If she really did smash the windows of his vehicle with golf clubs, she has a lot more passion in her than her cool, manicured beauty suggests.

Don't worry, people. Tiger will be fine. Sponsors are still backing a man who is an exceptional athlete.

The image of their products is not tarnished by the rumours - in fact, they may be enhanced.

At no time was Tiger's brand based on his homely image and family values.

His beautiful wife enhanced his image, and his two children added value, but Tiger's brand was based on complete domination and discipline in the golfing and sporting world.

Unfortunately, notches on the belt are a part of that domination.

Tiger's transgressions also make him more human and once again this may increase his appeal to sponsors and the public.

Tiger will recover from this but will his wife and children? I'm sure Tiger will be able to recover from this bad shot and get things back on track with regards to his family life.

He always does.