do your knees hurt from suckin' Tiger's balls so hard? douchebag ...

Optimis1

I have to take opposition that Tiger endorsed products are up 8% since his debacle.  While that may be true (i'm not sure where you saw this figure, but I'll play along) keep in mind that the economy at this point last year was far worse off.  I'm guessing 8% growth is mostly due to people starting to spend more discretionary income, not because people are purposely supporting Tiger and his products.  I don't think many people are going to their local proshop requesting Nike golf equipment/clothes to support Tiger.  The economy is coming back and people are spending money again.  I'm guessing that 7.9% of the growth is due to that.

I'll certainly be watching Tiger.  I wont root for or against him, I simply enjoy watching him play as you never know what will happen when he is on the course.  People can judge his personal life all they want, but the only judgement one can make about his game is that he is one the greatest ever to play the game.  Stats don't lie.  And I haven't watched a round of golf on TV since he left the tour.  I'll certainly watch his return, and I'm sure many Americans are in the same boat.

Nice comment, mortegren. Sort of like finding a diamond in a sewer.

As you may or may not know, many have speculated that one of the reasons Tiger chose the Masters for his return is due to the rules & regulations, well enforced, at the Masters. Basically, behave or The Masters will yank your ticket forever more. But, hey, it's late Sunday, the outcome is given, and someone is sitting there with a ticket bought from a scalper.... Hmmmm... Could be interesting, huh?

Personally, I think Tiger, or perhaps his PR team, is trying to 'reintroduce' Tiger in steps... little by little.. First, his speech between therapy sessions. Then, a little more exposure by the 5 minute "interviews". Next, Monday's interview at Augusta which I suspect will be "No questions will be entertained pertaining to Tiger's personal life". Finally, onto the golf course out in front of the "public" what with their muzzles on.

All in all, I expect AND HOPE it comes down to The Masters. I think it will and for one big reason - The Masters have the power to get the network to march in step.

Wow.  If you are, as your username implies, bound for Ohio State, you should really take a rumedial English and grammar class before you enroll.  You write like an idiot.  I'm pretty sure you managed to combine four separate sentences into one.

Despite your massacre of the English language, you managed to include a couple of facts in your post.  Els has, in fact, missed the cut for the past few years, after a 2nd place finish in 2004.  However, I would contend that Els is playing better (more importantly, putting better) than he has in years.  Following the knee injury that cost him a chunk of his 2005 season, his game suffered greatly.  I think most people would agree that if you are hitting fairways and greens, and putting well, you have a fighting chance at Augusta.  Els, when at his best, has no problem hitting fairways and greens.  Given his success to his point in the season, I'd say the odds of Els winning are better than the odds of Tiger winning.  Tiger hasn't played a competitive round in months and he's going to be faced with immense media attention.  Why he chose the Augusta for his return, I'll never understand.  If I were Tiger, I'd have picked one of the smaller, less popular tour events on a legitimate course and gotten the media swarm out of the way prior to showing up at Augusta.  The only way it makes sense, to me, to show up at August now is if you truly believe that your media attention is going to add to the already crazy pressure on everyone else and give you a better chance of winning. Either way, I'll be shocked if Tiger wins at Augusta.  I guess I'd also be shocked if Els won, but less shocked given that he's already won this season and he's not going be questioned relentlessly about his extra-marital affairs.

LONG LIVE THE CHIEF!!!!

This will be the biggest Master's ever if Tiger is in the hunt. Golf has never seen ratings like they will see when the azalea's start to bloom. Anyone who play's the Best Ball on Espn knows first hand, look at all the group names. 90 percent of them have something to do with Tiger. Sales of Tiger endorsed products are starting to skyrocket, up 8% since his debacle. Sales are about where they were last year. I understand those "holier than thou" "never made a mistake" people in life want to see him fall. They are entitled to their opinions, I guess. As for me and my family we will watch Tiger's comeback and enjoy every minute of it. Tiger didn't become the most amazing sports figure because he got married, not that what he did is right, he became that because he is Samuel L Jackson on the golf course. ONE BAD MOTHAf888@. Go get em Tiger.

F you and your church.

you need to go see an atheist and learn the truth

Excellent post on here WhoisWhoaint.

 And Eling's comment that “perhaps folks are turned off by the notion of watching Tiger Woods do anything at the moment, especially if it costs them”.

Are you nuts, analysts are saying this could draw as many viewers as the Super Bowl. Eling, you’re best not watching the Masters this year as I’m sure any coverage of Tiger will spoil your whole week. Seems how you’re not a Tiger fan you’d be best to go write about Jesse James or one of the other thousands of athletes and celebrities who’ve committed adultery.

get back to me, I will take that bet  how about for $50k, I could use $100k right now

You're your lack of proper grammar and punctuation automatically takes the club out of your hand. ... none of my business but if someone is going to attack another's grammar ... be correct yourself.

ps - hope mine is right ... I get those apostrohpe things wrong also!

It's quite slow because everyone knows that the Masters is only a tuneup for Mister Woods and he is not likely to do well. Given the fact that people mostly remember him as an adulterous cheat (forgive me if I have repeated myself) no one will come to see Woods play. If he does well at the Masters like finish in the top 5 then I am certain there will be a big demand for tickets to his next tournament. Or maybe the reason is much nefarious than that. Tiger Woods was the face of the PGA. He was the reason that the people watched and followed golf. But once Woods was a non factor for several months the public has come to realize just how sad the PGA field is without Woods. The guys who have won in his absence are either young guys who joined the tour recently or journeyman players who finally found the spot light. Rocco Mediate comes to mind. A few years back when I was waiting at the hospital it was the first time that I actually saw an entire round of golf. Wow...that Tiger Woods is really good! Nobody else comes close. And that is the problem. There is Tiger Woods and there is everyone else. I was hoping that a few players would rise to the occasion and make a name for themselves. Sadly, no one has. Hmm, maybe we should get Michelle Wie to join the PGA. Maybe that will drum up some excitement in the PGA. Or get Annika Sorenstam. The PGA needs a star....it does not have to be Tiger Woods but it can't be a bunch of over the hill guys like Phil Mickelson or John Daly.