Tiger Woods comeback speculation grows
Friday, 12 March 2010 11:35Take your pick. Tiger Woods will either be back playing in two weeks' time or at The Masters next month.
Or possibly at some date after that.
Different unnamed sources were saying different things yesterday about when the world number one will end his indefinite leave.
All that was definite about the situation by the end of the day was that the man himself has
confirmed nothing yet.
And this, of course, less than three weeks after he said he might not return to competition this year following the sex scandal that has rocked the sport.
Just when all signs appeared to be pointing to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando on March 25-28 - and probably the unofficial Tavistock Cup at the start of that week - came reports that Augusta on April 8-11 was the likely date.
The more controlled enviroment at The Masters, with media numbers limited and far less likelihood of fan rowdiness, would appear to make sense if Woods wants to ease himself back in.
No warm-up tournament before the first major of the year, however, would appear to lessen the chances of him taking his title tally to 15, only three behind record-holder Jack Nicklaus.
Woods's first event back after a lengthy break following the death of his father in 2006 was the US Open - and he missed the cut there.
But there are also unconfirmed reports that he is now having talks with former President Bush's media chief Ari Fleisher about the best strategy.
All this, of course, while he battles to save his marriage and put the pieces of his life back together.
