[SPORTS ★★]
IS JORDAN SPIETH DONE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA?
(P1) World number one golfer Jordan Spieth blamed a Twitter TIRADE at his CRITICS on FRUSTRATION and BOREDOM.
(P2) The 22-year-old American, defending CHAMPION at this week’s event just as he will be at next month’s Masters and the US Open in June, followed an opening five-over-PAR 76 with a three-under-par 68 on Friday to stand at two-over 144 after 36 holes at the PGA Valspar Championship.
(P3) That left him seven shots off the lead, shared by Steve Stricker and Will MacKenzie.
(P4) But it was the shots Spieth took at Twitter critics after his first round on Thursday that were the hot topic of conversation. Spieth read his Twitter feed and saw a “TROLL” who said that when Spieth’s PUTTER “is not working, he’s garbage.”
(P5) Spieth responded: “Couldn’t be further from the truth troll. Go do research before hating.”
(P6) On Friday, Spieth said, “You’ll probably never see me do that again,” when it comes to responding to future critics online.
(P7) “It’s just really frustrating. I should never respond to any of that, just let it go. By the time the next tournament ROLLS AROUND, no one even remembers it anyway.”
(P8) During post-round comments to reporters after his 76, Spieth had joked, “What good does kicking the hotel room door do other than possibly injuring my foot and then having to WITHDRAW?”
(P9) That was the quote the PGA Tour chose to use in a tweet to SPARK interest in a link to its story on Spieth, a decision that drew Spieth’s IRE as well.
(P10) “@PGA Tour: SERIOUSLY? That’s the quote you’re going to use out of that article?” Spieth tweeted.
(P11) “I felt that pulling that quote was UNCALLED FOR,” Spieth said.
(P12) The Twitter EXCHANGES prompted four-time major winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland to tweet his support for Spieth.
(P13) “No, he’s not Tiger Woods, he’s not SLUMPING and he’s not done. He’s a double major winning 22 year old. He’ll be just fine!!” McIlroy tweeted.
(P14) Spieth, who ended last season by winning the Tour Championship and the $10 million BONUS, won the Tournament of Champions to open 2016 but has had some frustrations since then. All that SET THE STAGE FOR his Thursday tirade.
(P15) “There will always be plenty of people who have their own opinion and people that don’t like the way I play the game or the way I handle things,” Spieth said Friday. “I’ve just got to be confident in what I’m doing and know that many people appreciate my efforts.
(P16) “I was a bit bored yesterday afternoon and looking at my feed after a tough round and bad things were POPPING UP. You can imagine if someone was talking to you like that it would be a bit frustrating. But I got over it quickly.”
WORDS: 465
SOURCE: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-ranked-spieth-says-twitter-tirade-likely-last-003506857–golf.html
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Are you very active on social media?
- Do people on the Internet say things that UPSET you? Have you ever been involved in an online fight?
- Young sports stars are under a lot of PRESSURE. Do you think that you would be able to handle that pressure?
- Have you ever tried playing golf? Would you like to?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Roll around
- Uncalled for
- Set the stage for
- Pop up
