Tiger Woods may not have seen a fairway in several months but the machine behind the world's most famous golfer has not stopped rumbling - despite some high profile departures from his list of corporate sponsors.
Woods is widely expected to return to tournament golf in the near future as he continues his rehabilitation from the sex scandal that shattered his image as a driven golfer/family man.
On the gaming front, Tiger Woods 11 is due out in early June and it looks as though - after several fairly samey updates - the franchise may be about to up their game a touch. The proof will be in the pudding, but the pre-release PR promises an 'authentic interactive swing experience' on the new PS 3 Motion Controller. That's a big promise and it will be very interesting to see if EA can be the first to deliver a realistic golf experience.
Also of interest to Irish fans is that young gun Rory McIlroy is set to feature on the front cover of TW 11, which means the Ulsterman - who enjoys a high profile in Europe and America - will become the first 'co-star' to appear on a Woods game.
McIlroy is apparently untroubled by Tiger's image problems and it may be that the world number one is hoping that a little bit of McIlroy's clean cut, youthful charm will rub off on him.
Finally, in another 'first', the famously Ryder Cup shy Tiger will also feature the world's most famous team competition in the new game. More evidence Woods is seeking to reconnect with golf's core values? In any case, players will be able to line out for Europe or the US and play in the foursomes, fourballs and singles. Which, I have to admit, sounds pretty exciting.
Brendan Cole
