SPORTS WATCH : Save the Tiger

Tiger Woods, a 16-year-old golfing phenom from Cypress, drew hordes of followers last week while playing in the Nissan Los Angeles Open. He had the distinction of being the youngest player ever to compete in a PGA tour event. It was both a remarkable accomplishment, and potentially, something of a curse.

With an entourage surrounding tees and fairways, he managed to keep his composure and shoot a very respectable score for two days before missing “the cut” that sent the final contenders on to the weekend rounds. But even as he withdrew from the camera’s eye to ponder a heady learning experience, the sages of the sporting world were busily measuring him against the giants of his game.

Was he a future Ben Hogan, who in his storied prime had made Riviera Country Club into “Hogan’s Alley”? Had anybody ever seen such a sweet-16 golf swing as this youngster had? Many said they had not. But a few wise observers counseled against prematurely awarding future championships, surely made more difficult by the pressure on a developing youngster.

After all, Tiger Woods should be left to get to the winner’s circle in his own good time.

In this political season, there may be a parallel between anointing new sports heroes and the eager search for winners even before votes are in. Like a fresh candidate who has yet to become jaded or too calculating, let a young star have some breathing room first to grow and not be afraid to take risks, even it doesn’t always lead to winning.