[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.
I think it's awesome Tiger is coming back to the game. I agree that his personal life is his own to deal with and the press needs to focus on other issues. I wish Tiger and his family the best and I hope he can get back to doing what he enjoys the most...playing golf. Good luck Tiger and welcome back!
Augusta is the perfect place to come back. It limits press access and crowds, so this is the tournament that will have the least outside impact on his return. Good luck Tiger with your life and hope you play a respectful weekend.
Go Tiger! Good to see you back in the game. Pro golf needs you. But don't screw (up). Seriously.
That roar you just heard was from the "Suits" at CBS. Ad rates just went off the charts. This Masters will get Superbowl numbers. And in the end isn't that whats important?
I've lost all respect for Tiger Woods as a man, first and foremost, and as a rolemodel for young children everywhere. His reputation is ruined, and I wouldn't be surprised if his marriage to Elin was. I know that I would NEVER, EVER take back a man who cheated on me! Once a cheater, always a cheater. I used to watch golf in the hopes of seeing the "great" Tiger Woods, but now, I'm afraid to say that I'll move on to another sport that I like just a lot more, curling. And that only comes around every four years at the Winter Olympics...
Michael Vick retruned and got a bonus of $1.5 million dollars. Eldrick will return and make more money. Its the way it is, and the suckers will pay to walk the gallery to see him do his thing. In the background are the 14 or more women he used and discarded. Also the women who lost two of his kids in miscarriages. You have to wonder what is going thru his wife's mind as she watches him leave the house with his cell phone or blackberry in his possession. How soon before he relapses into more sordid affairs with other men and women.
I am glad Tiger Woods is comming back. The world nees Tiger Woods, every one have some type of problems in their personal life. He will do well
Glad that he is coming back, we need to give him a break. No human being is perfect and before we continue to remove sticks from his eyes lets remave the logs in ours.......Go get em Tiger. Now i ihave a reason to watch gold again.!!!
I am glad you are coming back. Your personal life is between you & your creator, God and of course your famliy. I wish you the best of luck as you persue restoration. We all need God's grace. Judging anybody who has fallen would defeat the pupose of the cross. Let us all embrace God's love rather than hatred.
I hope Tiger wins every tournament he enters...............except the majors.
Golf is all about honor and cheating is "the worst" affront.
I do not distinguish between cheating on a golf course or cheating and betraying your own family. Cheating is cheating and Tiger was addicted to it.
To me, family always comes first. I would never betray that trust in any fashion, but especially by cheating.
All Tiger does well is swing a club at a ball. Caring and nurturing a family is far more important to society.
I hope he loses as spectacularly as he was exposed for the liar and cheater that he is.
How apt! Woods comes back just in time for the Masters! What a crock!
He has always cherry picked his golf tournaments, no surprise he would start at Augusta, the most perfect golf gallery on the planet. They will probably execute anyone who crosses the line with the Almighty Tiger, between ESPN and Jim Nance we will all cry at the mere site of him.
I'm happy for the guy. You certainly can't feel sorry for him though .. he's a wealthy guy now and can survive nicely no matter what he does now. He is ONLY a golfer. I'm happy for him as a person right now. He's played his hand as best he could and now he is going back to work. Leave him alone now and let him play golf. I'm more sympathetic to Mrs.Woods. I hope they reconcile for the sake of their children. She too is wealthy but it is she who was publicly humiliated by what her husband did. So we shall watch as this plays out now.
W00t!
Gettem tiger let all the haters know why your famous in the first place.