Woods making the right call on returning at Masters
Tiger Woods can run from a sex scandal but he's making the right call on returning to golf at the Masters.
It’s no guarantee that Tiger Woods will be able to repair his public image or return to dominance in professional golf. But he just made one right decision.
Woods announced what had been expected for the past several days — that he will make his return to golf at the Masters April 8-11 at Augusta National.
So arguably sports’ highest-profile figure will make his return at golf’s highest-profile event: Nothing like a flair for the dramatic. But that’s Woods, isn’t it?
The timing makes perfect sense. As I wrote in Sunday’s AJC, the Masters is one of the most controlled events in sports because it is held in a private club. As strange as it sounds given the stature of the Masters, it’s far more logical for Woods to return there than, say, at the John Deere Classic in Illinois.
Augusta National has a tight control on media credentials and tournament badges. That means no media representatives from TMZ or the National Enquirer will be allowed (presumably), and no taunts from loud and obnoxious fans in the galleries will be tolerated, at least none who want to keep their passes.
Woods last played Nov. 15 in Melbourne, Australia. Ironically, he won a tournament called the Australian Masters. It was two weeks later at his home at the Isleworth country club in Orlando when he crashed his Cadillac SUV into a fire hydrant and then a tree outside his home following a reported argument with his wife, Elin Nordegren.
A sex scandal broke shortly thereafter, with reports of at least 14 women having extramarital affairs with Woods. He has since made only one public appearance with a nationally televised statement Feb. 19, during which he admitted transgressions and said he is working on his personal life.
Here’s Woods’ statement in full from TigerWoods.com:
“The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta.
“The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been awhile since I last played.
“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.”
♦
Recent posts on Tiger Woods
♦ Woods’ safest return is on golf’s biggest stage: Masters
♦ Tiger Woods can go in either direction after public humiliation
♦ Woods: ‘I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted’
♦ Over/under on how many times Woods says, ’sorry’: 5 1/2
♦ Tiger Woods trying to control an uncontrollable situation
♦
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90 comments Add your comment
Cuz
March 16th, 2010
2:03 pm
DDT, he does not need luck at the Masters. He holds quite a few tournament records.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 16th, 2010
2:09 pm
Enough about Tiger!
SPOOOOOON!!
Clifford
March 16th, 2010
2:11 pm
Did anyone really think this fraud would skip Augusta? Tiger is about Tiger and that is all.
Clifford
March 16th, 2010
2:12 pm
Tiger…what was the stimp meter running on your ladies?
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 16th, 2010
2:14 pm
I’d like to know the same about the pimp meter. Them’uz some low-class galz…
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
March 16th, 2010
2:18 pm
While it is a smart move to return at the Masters from a public relations perspective for all the reasons listed above, I have to wonder if five months is enough time to repair his marriage. Wasn’t that the reason he took the break in the first place? I noticed that nowhere in his statement was any indication that Elin supported this. Seems to me that he shouldn’t return until his marital issues have been resolved or they have publicly split.
ND
March 16th, 2010
2:19 pm
This is the first I have heard on any of this. Unreal.
Clifford
March 16th, 2010
2:20 pm
Hey SkyWalker
It’s Jack Nicklaus! Not Jack Nicolas…Stick to your NBA roots!
Tiger Time
March 16th, 2010
2:21 pm
FIRE DON WADDELL
cwb
March 16th, 2010
2:25 pm
It appears that no one else is going to bust your chops regarding today being Tuesday and the Count has gone missing (again). I speak for a large constituency and both of us look forward to your weekly shots at pomposity and silliness. Tiger being at the top of the news feed notwithstanding the song says “once you get started you can’t sit down”.
Incidentally, you cut quite a dashing figure in your penguin suit at the awards but you most certainly missed the opportunity to issue a fashion statement by accessorizing your ensemble with a purple-lined cape.
azcat225
March 16th, 2010
2:33 pm
Scan back, cwb—a couple of us noted the Count missing in action.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
March 16th, 2010
2:35 pm
Yeah–where’s the Count?
rocket
March 16th, 2010
2:37 pm
What if Augusta National decides NOT to invite the lecherous wretch …after all, it is a private club.
atldark
March 16th, 2010
2:43 pm
I’m GLad to see Tiger back at golf.. If You guys want Tiger to a normal person.lol then he is doing that by going back to work just like every other cheating husband or AA meet guy or druggy would do after they have been caugh doing a wrong act.. Should your family and friends tell you not to go back to work because you should suffer more… if You really love your family you would not go back to work!!? what kinda stupid stuff is that? he owes You nothing. He owes God and his wife and kids everything…. He’s a golfer not your pastor or your kids savior. Judge not christians lets finally use what we learn on Sundays not just for Tiger but for Humans period. hypocritc including myself… can’t wait for the Masters!!!! YEA
Cuz
March 16th, 2010
2:47 pm
rocket, he is invited.
Redneck Convert, you would be hussled out so fast it would make your head swim. They would then confiscate your ticket and whoever you got it from would never get Masters tickets again. They are non-benevolent dictators.
ATLSTEVE
March 16th, 2010
2:47 pm
Thanks “What about Bob”! Ragsdale…you are your grandchildren’s role model, no matter how much they say that they love Tiger! They love you more! He is my GOLF ROLE MODEL…not my life one! Do me a favor…don’t throw your grandchildren under the bus when they find themselves in sticky situations!
LucilleFrancis
March 16th, 2010
2:49 pm
Im glad to see Tiger back. I hope he wins the Masters tounament by posting a record score!
Gorilla Fart
March 16th, 2010
2:58 pm
Glad to see him back, golf has been miserable without him.
shankit
March 16th, 2010
3:19 pm
Buddhadammit, I missed another fairway.
MatthewH
March 16th, 2010
3:33 pm
So, Jim Mora gets hired as an ass’t coach at a Seattle HIGH SCHOOL, and we are reading about Tiger? As others have said, I was hoping the Count would have something to say about that loser Mora.
Buzz
March 16th, 2010
3:51 pm
Why all the hate??? Tiger did nothing wrong to anybody other than his wife and who said athletes had to be role models??? I’m my kids role model. I can’t wait to see him play again because he’s the best this sport has ever seen…. Just like I loved watching M.J. Golf has been miserable without him!!!
Junior
March 16th, 2010
3:59 pm
“There was absolutely no domestic violence between
Elin and me.”
Brooklyn Bridge for sale, call BR-549
Nativebird
March 16th, 2010
4:19 pm
Nothing this guys says is not calculated 100% to the benefit of his pure mega-ego narcissism and his 1 billionth and one dollar. He may indeed in the end own every freaking golf record known to man, but, as it is and was with likes of P. Rose, Bonds, Clemens, et al, he will have no respect as a man. It is not about the cheating…it has and will always be about the Character. Everbody hates a schlep. He’s STILL a schlep. This proves it.
lah
March 16th, 2010
5:05 pm
I’ll be very surprised if he makes the cut.
ForrestTucker
March 16th, 2010
5:12 pm
The ONLY way I can tell that Tiger Woods can SHUT UP the hateful tiger-haters and his their hateful comments is to go out, win the Masters and win the other three majors completing a REAL Grand Slam. That will quiet all the Tiger haters and proabably shut them up permanently. The ONLY reason from what I can tell as to why so many people hate Tiger Woods is because he is african american (black) and is about to break a record that most people felt would never be broken. Whats more the record Tiger is getting ready to smash is held by a beloved white guy, Jack Niclaus, someone who is probably beloved more than Jesus Christ.
JustinGriffin
March 16th, 2010
5:23 pm
Tiger Woods coming back to golf is just as sickening as the night Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfields ear. It makes me want to throw up. Thank God Tiger lost about 50 million a year in endorsment deals. Those companies at least are honorable and have integrity enough that they dont want to make money using a psychopath as their spokesman.
Terrible Truth
March 16th, 2010
5:38 pm
He’ll be alright, he’ll have Steve “I didn’t know anything” Williams to protect him.
tiger woods = mike vick
March 16th, 2010
6:27 pm
reading this board sounds like a discussion of the pro and cons of mike vick returning to the NFL….
the man screwed up. he gets a second chance. everyone deserves that.
if he screws up again…..well….it is as simple as that.
why everyone gets their panties in a wad about it is beyond me.
now, in the modern day version of rome, all of the masses will gather in the coliseum to see if this gladiator gets eaten alive by the lions, or if he lives.
it’s the world in which we live, folks. grow up and deal with it.
nobody’s perfect anymore………except maybe Dale Murphy…..
Ladies Lock In
March 16th, 2010
6:28 pm
My week is not complete without the count! C’mon Jeff, you had a good thing goin man!!
Tiger = Arrogance
March 16th, 2010
7:04 pm
Let’s face it. Before Tiger’s fall from grace he was a spoiled arrogant jerk. Sports writers walked around him on egg shells hoping Tiger wouldn’t put them on his no talk list. He acted like a spoiled baby on the course. Then came Tiger’s most selfish act. Disgracing his family. Did anyone watch that so called new conference Tiger held. He showed again what a spoiled brat he was. He was more concerned about who wrote what about him and rumors about steroids not his behavior! Upon Tigers return to the course the scream from the gallery “it’s in the hole” has an entirely new meaning. And I bet that brings another fit of anger from Tiger. Hey Tiger, you can’t try to remove every fan and reporter from the course when you appear.
dawg 4 u
March 16th, 2010
7:55 pm
A friend of mine attended the Masters a couple of years ago and after going back to his car to grab an umbrella accidentally put his cell phone in his pocket instead of leaving it in the car or putting it on vibrate. The phone rang on the first tee as Fred Couples was teeing off in the last practice round and his badge was pulled not for the rest of the tournament but FOREVER and he had had tickets for 24 years. Anyone who even thinks about heckling Tiger better think about that. I wish Tiger would have played another tournament before the Masters to get a “real feel” about how the galleries are going to treat him instead of hiding behind the blanket of protection he will get from the Masters tournament officials. I do expect a few tense moments even at Augusta for Tiger so it should be very interesting. It’ll probably be the highest TV ratings ever for the tournament.
D-MAN
March 16th, 2010
8:54 pm
To hell with the half breed,Mickelson the real man!
JustaThought
March 17th, 2010
6:38 am
From “half-bred” to “psychopath”………oh yeah! It’s on! Good luck Tiger! This isn’t much of a prediction, but this thing might get real ugly.
CheryolaVick
March 17th, 2010
12:23 pm
My son Michael will be a starting quarterback in the national football league again.
PaulWinchester
March 17th, 2010
3:25 pm
I think there are a lot of half breed fans out there who are “jealous” of woods money and the fact that Woods is rich and they are poor in spirit and every other way. Woods is sports first “Billionaire” athlete and the fact that he is black simply does not sit well with the majority of white fans. The second thing the white fans hate about Woods is that Woods has dominated a sport which had been held exclusive for white for centuries. No one ever imagined in a trillion years that a black guy would be not only good enough to compete on the pga tour but dominate and challenge the most hallowed records (Jacks major record is now up for grabs by Tiger Woods). The african american race has still to this day has not been accepted on the pga tour so this is why Tiger has been smashed by the media and the jealous fans out there. Had tigers stripes been white, most fans would have loved him the minute he apologized. Those fans who hated woods before the apology will still hate him now and will be jealous of woods until the day he dies. Woods like Vick have something in common. They both have exposed racism in America.
Sam
March 17th, 2010
3:34 pm
Zzzzzz to the article. How many of you remember…or even care that Rick Pitino bent that (c-word) over the table in that restaurant???? No one!!!
My point??? In time…no one will give 2 ishts about what Tiger did with all those HO’S!!!
uberVU - social comments
March 19th, 2010
9:12 am
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