Photo of the Day: Irony at the Masters

There was a lot of anticipation surrounding this year's Masters. The media was focused on the story of Tiger's tumultious road to "recovery" and if he would be able easily get back in the swing of things. But beyond the story of Tiger's infidelity, another golfer and his wife had a story of their own. Phil Mickelson's wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and this was the first time that his family had traveled with him since her diagnosis. Unfortunately, she did not feel strong enough to come watch the tournament in person. But after Mickelson putted the 18th hole to win his esteemed green jacket, there his wife was tearfully watching from the sidelines.

This had all the makings of a Disney Lifetime movie. The two best golfers- Tiger & Mickelson both having cut back on tournament play- Tiger because of his tabloid level infidelity, Mickelson because his wife battling breast cancer. Both at the peak of their game, but a bit reluctant to return to Augusta because of personal reasons and neither who has their spouse with them on the sideline. Tiger plays his best first round, while Mickelson is just barely on the cusps of being a contender. Then a miraculous turn of events and Mickelson is able to pull it out in the end while Tiger falls apart and continues his self loathing. And in the end, Amy is waiting for her husband with a long embrace and kiss. Not a dry eye on the green. Hollywood couldn't have written a better ending.

Photo of the Day: Video- Tiger Woods' Voice of Reason

In this new Tiger Wood's commercial we see Tiger staring into the camera while the voice of his late father plays in the background. "Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion," Earl Woods says in the recording. "I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feeling are. Did you learn anything?" The question now is, was this brilliant marketing or poor taste.

Tiger to Return at Augusta

Tiger Woods released this statement today:

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

"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."

Bay Hill Has a Tiger On the Prowl

ESPN reports that Tiger Woods may be slated to make his return to golf at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. The PGA will probably do its best to halt the wave of media that will be impeding upon the tournament proceedings in an attempt to protect their cash cow. I personally expect a lot of female hecklers getting kicked out at this event but perhaps that’s a little too much hope for excitement from a golf tournament.  This return is not much of a surprise as Woods holds much respect for Arnold Palmer and has won at the Bay Hill course six times before. This will probably be preparation for a run at the Masters. (ESPN)


Note: Now reports are conflicted as to whether Tiger will play at Bay Hill or just make his comeback at the Masters.

" I'm Asking You to Believe in Me"

After hearing those words from Tiger's highly publicized interview this past week my only thought/response was a **blank stare**

That line highlights to me everything wrong with this Tiger situation. No offense to you, Mr. Woods, but I believe in higher beings, not athletes. The only thing that I ever really believed in is the fact that you can hit a mean 5 iron across the green.

Do I take personality into account when I think of the players I like? Yes, I admit that. But appreciating the like-ability of a guy and viciously finding ways to exploit the darker parts of a person are two different things. Athletes are a humans first and foremost not demi-gods that we need to put our faith in.

As far as an apology goes, I don't know if Tiger owes us as much of an apology as we owe him. The amount of time that we have taken prying into the life of the Woods' family is discomforting. I couldn't imagine being Elin and the humiliation that she has had to endure. And I cannot fathom the playground conversation that surrounds their children. I don't know how many times that I have heard "when you are a famous athlete this is what you sign up for." Last I checked, Tiger signed up to play golf and win trophies and he does that, REALLY well. America is plagued by a sense of entitlement and we feel overly entitled to be emerged into his personal life, feel entitled to an apology, and then after the fact we feel entitled to have him go back to golf and make it exciting again sooner rather than later.

I really can't wait for Tiger to win his next tournament so this whole hoopla can blow over and we can go back to worrying about the integrity of our own families and not that of the celebrities and athletes we too often live vicariously through.