Tiger Woods’ planned return at next month’s Masters tournament has area golfers thrilled and largely willing to forget his transgressions away from the course.
While there were a few Tiger detractors among those surveyed at area courses Tuesday, most golfers were overjoyed to hear he’ll be back after a four-month hiatus.
“You think of golf, and golf greats, and you think about him,” said Sharon White, 51, who was playing at City Park. “It’s just unfortunate (about the scandal). It’s a letdown. Kids look up to him. But, I mean, how many others have done it? It’s unfortunate how it all happened, but I’m glad he’s coming back.”
Woods, 34, has not played since Nov. 15 when he won the Australian Masters. Less than two weeks later, he crashed his car outside his Florida home, and the scandal of his extramarital affairs broke soon afterward. On Dec. 11, Woods announced he was taking an indefinite leave of absence from golf “to focus my attention on being a better husband, father and person.”
In a statement released Tuesday, Woods said: “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 the famed Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
Speculation began last week that Woods would return at the Masters, which he has won four times.
At Park Hill Golf Club, Fred Burke, 49, said Woods’ behavior wouldn’t prevent Burke from rooting for him.
“I don’t think he’s any different than a lot of people out there,” Burke said. “He just got caught.”
Offering a dissenting view was Jaime Campbell, who was at City Park. She said she “wouldn’t even really care if he came back at all. I liked him before, but I think the whole scandal has just changed my whole view of him as a person.”
Woods has spent time in two treatment clinics during his hiatus, including a week at an Arizona clinic for family counseling. Woods spoke publicly about his infidelities on Feb. 19.
“Tiger personified himself as Mr. Perfect, obviously, and so he always talked to the media about how he was family-oriented,” Barb Harmon, 40, said at City Park. “We would’ve forgiven him had he never done that. Now, he’s no better than any other superstar out there that screws around.”
Even so, Harmon said she’ll tune in when Woods tees it up at the Masters. “It’s time for him to come back,” she said.
When Woods’ return was mentioned to University of Denver women’s golf coach Sammie Chergo, she let out an emphatic “yesssss!”
Chergo said she’s been an avid follower of Woods’ struggles (“The whole ‘fall from grace’ thing has been intriguing”) but will revel in his return.
“All those guys (golfers) out there who have been doing so well this year, I’m guessing they’re wondering whether or not that green jacket is going to be a little harder to get this year,” Chergo said, referring to the apparel given to the Masters champ. “As for everybody else, if he does win, he’ll be back to being their favorite golfer once again.”
Woods recently hired Ari Fleischer to help repair his image. Fleischer was a presidential press secretary for George W. Bush and helped repair baseball star Mark McGwire’s image.
Woods has become the most well- known golfer in the world, and his 14 victories in major tournaments trail only Jack Nicklaus, who won 18.
Augusta National is a private club and limits the number of tickets and media credentials. There are strict rules for fans, including no cellphones or cameras.
“That’s why (returning at) Augusta makes such good sense,” pro golfer Jim Furyk told The Associated Press. “Everyone is afraid to lose their ticket (if they misbehave). The etiquette and behavior is far better than anywhere else because of the fear factor.”
Television ratings usually are lower for tournaments that don’t have Woods. CBS network officials expect the highest golf ratings ever if Woods is in contention in the late rounds of the Masters.
The highest golf ratings since 1977, according to the Nielsen Co., were for Woods’ Masters wins in 1997 (14.1 percent of homes) and 2001 (13.0).
Burke said: “He’s going to be on another mission to prove himself. I think he’s just going to tear the courses apart. He’s strong enough mentally that I don’t think it’ll affect him, but I think he’s got something to prove now.”
Woods’ presence ratings bonanza
Reviled, redemption-seeking Tiger will attempt to beat young, awe-inspiring Tiger. The highest television rating ever for the Masters — or the final round of any major golf tournament, for that matter — came in 1997, when a 21-year-old Tiger Woods won the tournament for the first time in dominant fashion. More than 14 percent of all homes with televisions in the United States tuned in. If Woods is in contention on Sunday at Augusta National next month, when he returns to golf after a sex scandal, expect the rating to blow that number away. Former CBS Sports president Neal Pilson predicts a 16-18 range if Woods is in contention on Sunday.
Despite his absence, Tiger still the man
Despite not competing since his car crash in November, Tiger Woods is still the favorite to win the Masters. Barely an hour after the announcement that Woods will make his return at Augusta National, the British bookmaker William Hill installed him the favorite. Odds are 1-20 that he’ll make the cut. The top three to win the Masters:
Golfer … Odds
Tiger Woods … 4-1
Phil Mickelson … 6-1
Padraig Harrington … 16-1
25-1
Odds, according to British bookmaker Hill, that Tiger Woods will win all four majors this year
What others are saying . . .
Comments on Tiger Woods’ return to golf from those around the sport:
“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.” — Billy Payne, Masters chairman
“Wow, I’ve had a lot of calls today from friends who have decided to come to the Masters this year.” — Stewart Cink, British Open champion on Twitter
“I’m glad he’s coming back. I hope he plays well and makes the team. I’d like to have him on the team because I think he’s a pretty good player.” — Corey Pavin, U.S. Ryder Cup captain
“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.” — Tim Finchem, PGA Tour commissioner
“It’s great to see him coming back again. It’s absolutely brilliant. We all want him back because he’s the best player on the planet.” — Darren Clarke, one of Woods’ close friends on the European Tour
“It’s great. Tiger’s one of the greatest athletes of our time and you want to see him doing what he does, what he does good and what he does great. And for golf, it’s exciting.” — Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat guard
“It’s obviously great for golf that he’s back. It shows the commitment he has to his family. If he came back earlier, that would give him a better chance at Augusta. He would have been putting golf first. Putting his family first by not warming up for Augusta, it’s a good statement.” — Padraig Harrington, two-time British Open champion
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1294 or rcasey@denverpost.com
