"The timing of the story feels odd."

I'm with Steve Elling on this one: People Magazine's piece on Elin Nordegren dropping today stinks, but I'm not sure exactly why. Neither is Elling, but he still has some Tiger sympathy in this instance:

Surely, for some who had begun to feel some pangs of sympathy for Woods over his free-fall predicament -- myself included, to some degree -- the interview certainly put the train back on the rails. His personal and professional lives are in utter disarray, and it has been surreal to watch it unravel, like when statues of icons are toppled during political coups. He has been humiliated in the public square, if not de-pantsed.

Wednesday morning, a few hours before the forthcoming Nordegren revelations were known, the New York Post printed a story headlined, "Here, Pussycat: Players don't fear the tamed Tiger." He's declawed and toothless, trying to make the cut and advance to the second round of the FedEx chase next week in Boston, an event that is hosted by his charitable foundation.

The People interview served to remind just how toxic his double life had become. With the tabloid media on hand and peppering him for a confessional, sharpening their cutlery, Woods fell on his own sword, which was probably a prudent move.

"My actions certainly led us to this decision," he said. "And I've certainly made a lot of errors in my life and that's something I'm going to have to live with."

Doug Ferguson in writing up today's Tiger presser, also noted this odd scene. Too bad Tiger's goons didn't turn into linebackers...

Before he completed the first hole, his agent and spokesman were outside the rope, each talking on a cell phone.

Then, after Woods hit his approach to the green, a tabloid columnist walked out into the fairway with notepad and pen to ask him questions. She had never been to a golf tournament and was not aware that reporters are to stay by the ropes.

And now that writers can touch on the subject of divorce and golf, Jason Sobel talks to several recent divorcees and gets some amazingly frank replies, including this from Chris Couch:

Though no active player has gotten divorced following the kind of professional success Woods has enjoyed, others have witnessed varying results in their own careers while enduring the process of marital separation.

"I was playing on the Nationwide Tour at the time and was either No. 1 or 2 on the money list," Couch said. "She delivered divorce papers after I shot 68 in the first round, then I went out and made a 9 on the first hole the next day. So that just goes to show you how it affects your mind."