March 16th, 2010
02:13 PM ET

Update: Tiger Woods will return to golf at Masters

[Updated 2:12 p.m.] PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem reacted to Tiger Woods' announcement that he will return to golf at the Masters.

"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 as he rejoins the tour."

[Posted 11:28 a.m.] Tiger Woods announced he will make his much-anticipated return to golf at the Masters in April.

"The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect," Woods said in a statement, now on his Web site. "After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta."

Woods, 34, stepped away from the tour late last year after crashing his black Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and then a tree near his home outside Orlando, Florida.

“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 a while since I last played," Woods said in a statement.

Billy Payne, Chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, said in a statement he supported Woods.

“We support Tiger’s decision to return to competitive golf beginning at this year’s Masters Tournament," Payne said. "Additionally, we support and encourage his stated commitment to continue the significant work required to rebuild his personal and professional life.â€

The early-morning crash set off a barrage of infidelity allegations against the golfer, who is married to Elin Nordegren. The couple has two children.

“I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment," Woods said in the statement. "Although I’m returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."

Last month, Woods apologized in a tightly-controlled televised statement for his "irresponsible and selfish" behavior, which he said included infidelity.

Read full CNN.com story

soundoff (176 Responses)
  1. Todd

    If Clinton can pull it off and still be a highly sought after ambassador for the United States, "The United States of America" mind you. Then surely Tiger can slip back in as the ambassador of "Golf" and as "D" posted today at 11:46, good on him to pick the Masters venue. Go Tiger, Go Phil for that matter.

    March 16, 2010 at 12:15 pm | Report abuse |
  2. ddb

    I wish Tiger the best!! I could care less about his personal life, it's his and his family. However, on the professional side, he is just the best golfer ever. No disrespect to Jack (always the gracious gentleman) but there is an edge to Tiger that is simply amazing and makes it an exciting garme. I hope he succeeds in his quest of breaking records. I'll be glued to the big screen watching him. And I think this will be the biggest ratings ever for the Masters.

    And all you Tiger haters, enjoy the game, cause for all your ranting and raving, you'll be watching, just hoping he'll do bad, but actually you'll be helping to make it the most watched Masters ever.

    March 16, 2010 at 12:15 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Ahmed

    I have waited and prayed for the return of the master, his personal life is personal, pls go play golf for the good of the game. Good luck Tiger

    March 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Don

    To be human is to have faults and to make mistakes. The level of one's intelligence will determine if the same mistakes are made again. Tiger was blessed with an athletic talent and it is good he continues to share this talent with sport enthusiasts. There is so much more to be concerned about in this world, so get over it people.

    March 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm | Report abuse |
  5. karma

    If sex with different women was his secret of success to Golf, then his return will be tough.
    Wishing you the best and let the ball be hit rightly Tiger , way to go !

    March 16, 2010 at 12:17 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Mark

    Just play golf!....its like i said when this came out months ago....'who cares". He's a golf player he's not my life coach, or a role model for how to have a great marriage. He plays golf. He's a great golfer. He exciting to watch and has brought a lot of new people into a very old game. There are many other players in many other sports that have been shamed by their actions and behavior. Some we know about and many others that we don't. But what this man has done for the game is forever changed it for the better...................... Welcome back!!! We missed you and the game of golf needs you.

    March 16, 2010 at 12:17 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Samwel Githiru

    Even the haters know Golf aint Golf without Tiger...its about time for some real action on the field...I foresee a win

    March 16, 2010 at 12:18 pm | Report abuse |
  8. DivaD

    I have a problem with individuals who voice their opinions and DO NOT know what their talking about. Why should this man be banned from his JOB for 2 years...because of his personal life. So you tell me if you cheat on your spouse,..you should be fired from your job...Thats stupid!!! People are jealous in the first place...and don't want to see people successful in any stages of their life. That's why individuals need to get a life...too much time to worry about someone elses. Its riduculous!!!!

    March 16, 2010 at 12:19 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Melanie

    I don't watch golf, but am glad he is going back. The media has made a mess of his personal life. They need to get off his case. I wonder how many of the media have affairs and aren't spread all over the news with it? Good luck Tiger.

    March 16, 2010 at 12:19 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Francisco

    I would love to see if Tiger critics would have te courage to face the world admiting their mistakes...his personal life is a matter for him as his family...I´m not gonna be the one to throw the first stone...everybody fails, everybody makes mistakes... but it takes a man to face those mistakes. And now let the people that love golf like I do enjoy hours of great sport !!! Tee away !!

    March 16, 2010 at 12:20 pm | Report abuse |
  11. A reyna

    Just play golf Tiger!!! We are all sinners no body is perfect in this world!! So all you people with bad negative comments like jesus said. He who is with out sin cast the first stone!!!!

    March 16, 2010 at 12:21 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Dbanj

    Welcome back Tiger and i hope it is well with you. To all you haters, leave this guy alone. He needs to make up with his wife,children and the rest of his Family. We all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. We ask God to forgive us and we cannot forgive a fellow human being. If you really want to challenge him, challenge his Bank account and do the same of the FIELD of GOLF,

    March 16, 2010 at 12:23 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Fran

    Finally – a reason to watch golf again. I haven't watched the game since Tiger quit playing. I abhor that he cheated on his wife. I'll never understand why he got married in the first place if he didn't want to commit to Elin totally. BUT what does this extremely personal matter have to do with the game of gold? The man has a medical problem for which he is being treated. Hellooooooooo! Get a Life!!!

    March 16, 2010 at 12:24 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Pete

    Greeeeeeat, cheering always for TIGER, IT'S NOT HOW MANY TIMES YOU FALL DOWN, BUT HOW MANY TIMES YOU STAND UP AND SPRING BACK... THAT MAKES YOU A TRUE CHAMPION, A TRUE WINNER......

    March 16, 2010 at 12:25 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Rhys

    He is coming back. Thank Heavens!! Being an Icon is not a requirement for great golf, matter of fact, he shouldnt be any role model. People need to stop setting up gods of stone that can crumble, then get mad. Didnt you know it was stone? TSK!! Just admire his game and how he became a great player, his techniques et al. His personl life? The women who were involved in his "games" and Mrs. Woods are the ones who should be up in arms about the matter. All those weighing in and making all these holy holy comments need to stop and look into their closets and tell me who can cast the first stone. Infidelity is not the only curse. Wife beating, alcoholism, child abuse, backbiting, ponzi schemes, hit and run driving, need I go on. I am listening all ye hypocrites. Let the Masters begin..

    March 16, 2010 at 12:32 pm | Report abuse |
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