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Is Tiger Coming Back at End of Month?
According to a story in the New York Post, Tiger Woods' return to the PGA Tour may happen in the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 25. In addition, the story reveals that the Woods' camp has hired Ari Fleischer, a former presidential adviser to George W. Bush, to help strategize his return.
The article by Mark Cannizzaro (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/golf/woods_hires_weeks_bush_aide_to_prep_p7ZMNxmWaTffK5O4nxGEhK#ixzz0hsu57QYG) cites "two sources in the golf community" in the hiring of Fleischer. Fleischer now operates Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, a company that offers press management and media strategies for athletes, coaches, executives, teams and leagues.
It's also possible that Woods initial return to competition will take place in the Tavistock Cup, a made-for-TV exhibition team event involving PGA talent from rival Orlando-area clubs Isleworth and Lake Nona. Woods has represented Isleworth in previous events, which this year is set for March 22-23, just before the start of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Mark O'Meara, a friend and Isleworth neighbor of Woods, told Golf Channel this week that he "wouldn't be surprised" to see Woods play the Tavistock Cup. O'Meara said the event could allow Woods to "ease back into the whole situation."
Woods usually plays the Arnold Palmer Invitational as his only tune-up prior to the Masters. He has won that tournament at Bay Hill six times, from 2000-03 and the past two years.
Woods has been idle since late November following an early-morning single-car accident and subsequent revelations of marital improprieties. Other than a scripted public apology at PGA Tour headquarters last month, Woods has been a no-show in public.
Fleisher, whose firm has ties with Woods' management company, IMG, will purportedly help the game's still-No.-1-ranked player deal with the three-months-long sex scandal that has severely damaged his image such that he's lost several sponsors.
Woods, 34, has been seen almost daily on the practice range at Isleworth, lately accompanied by swing coach Hank Haney.
He has won 14 major titles, four shy of the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus. This year's first three majors will be played on courses where Woods has enjoyed tremendous success.
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