"The back-and-forth we had Thursday might just be Tiger and his IMG camp sending out head fakes as to where he will come out of the woodwork."

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After Thursday's reports stating the possible places Tiger may come back, we probably have less of an idea than ever where Tiger will tee it up. And that's the point, says Garry Smits who labeled it a "misinformation campaign" by Team Woods. Smits also notes a logistical problem with a Bay Hill return and this about the Masters:

To repeat ... the key date is a week from today (Friday). Woods has until 5 p.m. to commit to the Palmer Invitational. If he doesn't, book him for the Masters -- where, as a past winner, he doesn't have to commit ahead of time. He can merely show up that week.

The sheer absurdity of that Augusta National policy actually has me rooting for Tiger to show up Thursday morning of the Masters. Wouldn't that be great? Overshadow Jack Nicklaus' debut as a starter and get tagged onto the back end of the field to the shock of the world?

Now, based on the way Tiger has behaved since November 27th, the idea of constantly dodging tabloids and showing up at the Masters unannounced probably appeals to his inner-fugitive. Since he's been acting like he's on the lam and maybe thinks this is a healthy, rational way to live, nothing would shock me at this point.

"I've seen better work by a mall cop."

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There are so many eye-opening tidbits in Rene Stutzman's excellent Orlando Sentinel story on her analysis of the Florida Highway Patrol that I'm not sure where to begin.

So let's go big picture and just say that after reading some of the emails the FHP received, coupled with certain revelations in the story, and I believe more than ever Tiger is in for a rude awakening when he returns. It's hard not to get the sense that his celebrity put him above the law. Combine that ego inflating news with a an already lingering animosity among fans that he skirted the law, and it would seem to spell trouble when he returns.

 

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Have $150 Million, Need Money Manager

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The Daily Mail's Charles Sale says that Elin Woods' sister Josefin Lonnborg is...

conducting a tender with wealth management specialists at a number of top banks on behalf of her sister. The financial giants being considered are believed to include UBS and Credit Suisse, with interested parties having been informed about the huge sum Tiger is putting in Elin's name to prevent her from leaving him permanently following his serial adultery. Josefin put the phone down in her City office yesterday when told her caller was from the Daily Mail.

Can't blame her for not wanting to invest in the Daily Mail! After all, newspapers are dying.

Step 14 Of Tiger's Rehab Revealed: Grilling By Ari Fleischer**

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Mark Cannizzaro has the details of Tiger's enhanced interrogation sessions in the comfort of his Orlando living room.

"A Simpler Game"

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Now posted is my winter Links Magazine look at how golf got to the mess it's in and ways in which costs can be cut. Included are quotes from architects like Bruce Hepner, developer Jim Taylor of Clear Creek and superintendent Rusty Mercer of Cuscowilla. As always, thoughts welcomed

Meanwhile Ryan Ballengee plays Coore and Crenshaw's Sugarloaf Mountain, part of a failing central Florida real estate development, and comes away wondering if people would ever buy a home on a minimalist design.