Tiger To Return At The Masters...**
...squelching Captain Mark O'Meara's dreams of a Tiger-led Isleworth team at next week's Tavistock Cup. But thank God the non-golfing world won't see golf at its most egregiously excessive and over-the-top. However...
This is yet another selfish move by Woods, not that I'm surprised at this point. Instead of the Masters serving as a celebration of spring, golf and the year's first major, the return-circus has to take place where he can avoid heckling and tough questioning. And based on Steve Stricker's comments last weekend, you have to think his fellow players just lost even more respect. Not that Tiger cares.
Geoff
**The first AP story, citing a statement.
And the statement now posted on TigerWoods.com.
"I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment. Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.
"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play. I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments, and I look forward to competing in them again.
"I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game."
Geoff
TMZ of all places has a semi-maudlin statement from Billy Payne:
"We support Tiger's decision to return to competitive golf beginning at this year's Masters Tournament. Additionally, we support and encourage his stated commitment to continue the significant work required to rebuild his personal and professional life."
And the statement from PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem:
We were pleased to learn that Tiger Woods will be playing the Masters in a few weeks. He has invested a lot of time taking steps, both in his personal and professional life, in order to prepare for his return. We all wish him and his family the best as he rejoins the TOUR.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 08:19 AM
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (66)
Per TMZ
Maybe if we're lucky, this will be the only tournament he plays every year.
Kudos to Angel Cabrera, there's a guy with a can-do attitude, a winner.
"When he does come back, I hope it's in the Masters and he comes back in a great form," Cabrera said.
"Obviously I want Tiger to be there," the two-time major winner said.
"He's the best and when he's there, he makes tournaments different, it's a special tournament."
Insisting on having his news event when his colleagues were competing ... having his cronies case Arnold's joint for potential paparazzi access .. now choosing to cast his own weird shadow on what many of us view as a rite of Spring ... Same old Tiger. It's his world, we just live in it.
That said, my suspicion is that he'll come back strong, maybe not at Augusta, but soon.
...if you want to wait until the first ball is in the air, that's fine too, but that'll be the full $200.
Fred?
...seriously now, there's just no place for that kind of thing (sensibility, that is) in the Tiger discussion.
ellert, re-tee, you are hitting three.
To Brad Ford: very funny, indeed!
Tiger is still trying to "game" all of us. He is simply following orders of his PR flacks in making his announcements in the fashion he does. He has to follow orders off the golf course now (eg, Elin's orders to straighten up his life; his PR folks on how to talk to the public, etc.) because he's truly incapable of making correct decisions off the golf course. On the golf course, where he's most comfortable, in control, etc., Tiger reigns supreme; off the golf course, Tiger is but a small child desirous of eating all the "candy" in sight. He is a man-child, a child-adult. Sadly, the longer he plays golf, a wonderful game rendered meaningless when compared to what he should concentrate on: his life, the worse off he is. And, of course, when he wins he'll think all is better and the world will applaud his efforts and declare him "back." Oh, and yes, he'll be "back" all right ... "backwards" to where he was before all of this.Oh, he'll forgo his past goodies but inside, he'll never grow up to become a real man. Sadly, Tiger could be a greater man than he is a golfer given his charisma, wealth, etc. But, Tiger will focus on Tiger and society will be worse off for it. And, he and his family, while celebrated for some things, will be but a sad failure in a long list of failed marriages in the world. Tiger needs to quit golf if he can't answer questions himself, really learn to love people the right way, appreciate his blessings, etc. Let's all hope Tiger takes the long road back to recovery and not the short cut path to failure. We'll know for sure which path he is on given the way he answers press questions, interacts with those who can do nothing for him, etc. Of course, we should all have better things to do in life than watch golf, but the Masters is fun to watch. Tiger misses the cut in the Masters this year.
This ain't the Ryder Cup. Tiger doesn't need to kiss everybody's ass because he got caught in a philandering spree. Hopefully he's done apologizing and he'll get back to kicking everybody's ass. He's given his pound of flesh and the haters will just have hit the mute button for a change.
I wish him well in his life with Elin and his golf. It will be tough all around but I think he can handle it.
Zero visits to press center
True gallery test to commence at Quail Hollow or The Players
http://www.pgatour.com/2010/r/03/16/woods/index.html
Does the TOUR think we are not paying attention to such inconsistency? I know Finchem could not betray Tiger's planning and timing, but still, it is prety obvious that Finchem knew yesterday (as did Augusta National) and was not straight with the media. Not that I am surprised.
Who says that the Tour has to give out information when it doesn't want to, when it isn't authorized to? This isn't the US government, it's a professional sport deciding how to disclose information about it's number one asset. General rule: go along with the number one asset's disclosure wishes and keep your corporate mouth shut until he does his own release.
Good point, he's at least giving them a head's up. That's about the best thing I can say for him right now.
That would be ironic and hilarious. I'm going to be in Vegas that weekend anyway so I'm not planning on watching the tournament regardless.
>>> Let's face it, Tiger is a no-win situation. It doesn't matter how Tiger handles anything. He is going to get barbecued either way. <<<
His announcement todays is a case in point. Can't we just enjoy golf anymore around here? It's the reason I was drawn to this blog.
I wonder if the my fellow around here that get so upset and mad at everything Tiger does get that way when something important goes wrong in your own lives? Do you? .
I was thinking the exact same thing, might be a Blue Martini on Washington Road.....just sayin'
I posit that if Tiger came back at the API and then play the Masters- the Masters would still have the Media, because regarding Tiger no one really cares how he does in regular tournament, they want to see how he does in the Majors. Since he is chasing the record, a lot of you dont want him to break the record, moreso than ever. Tiger will never be all things to all people- people will always find fault. "They say "Life a'int Fair"
I liken it to general managers in pro sports who deny interest in certain players when they've already begun "discussions" or coaches who deny interest in an opening that they take shortly thereafter. To use a golf expression, it's par for the proverbial course. In sports (and in other industries), the white lie or, to use a Watergate expression, the non-denial denial is not only commonplace, it's appropriate.
How Augusta handles the throngs of media requests also will be fascinating, since its deadline for credential applications has probably long since passed (they give to the same outlets every year, basically, and limit newcomers).
Best for Tiger and Masters would be for him to do a mass interview or some press before arriving, otherwise it will be some circus!!
I'd blocked that part out. He'll miss the cut, we'll hear about it over and over, and we'll have to see it over and over. Thank goodness for Masters Extra on the website.