Let’s be honest. If you’re a fan of golf or a fan of Tiger Woods the golfer, all you really wanted to know from his public statement yesterday was when is he going to return to the PGA Tour.
In that regard he left us hanging, saying only, “I don’t rule out that it will be this year.”
Is it possible Woods might not return in 2010? It sure sounded like it. The vagueness of when he’ll hit his first ball in a competitive golf tournament underscores his commitment to dealing with “the pain my behavior has caused.”
Certainly, salvaging his marriage and healing his family should be his first priorities. Nevertheless, it seemed unthinkable Woods would miss the Masters, a tournament he has won four times. The year’s first major championship is set for April 8-11, but Woods said he would be begin receiving “more treatment and more therapy” starting today. His previous inpatient rehab stay lasted 45 days. A similar stint would take him into the week of the Masters.
“I have a long way to go,” Woods said about his recovery.
Long Island based sports psychologist Dr. Tom Ferraro thinks Woods could be away from golf for an extended period.
“Maybe he’s going to into a semi-retirement,” Ferraro said. “That doesn’t surprise me at all. His life is essentially overwhelming. He needs to get away. I think his world is in a state of collapse.”
This golf season had promised to be special for Woods. It looked like he would make a serious run at catching the record of 18 major championships owned by Jack Nicklaus. Woods has won 14 majors, seven of which he captured at three of the venues for this year’s majors: Augusta National (four Masters); Pebble Beach (2000 U.S. Open) and St. Andrews (2000, 2005 British). His absence already has been felt on the PGA Tour, where there are only about half the media credentials there were last year at the Accenture Match Play Championships in Arizona, when Woods made his return from knee surgery.
“The interesting thing is the sports world has to go into mourning,” Ferraro said. “We’re losing a great, great athlete. It’s a sad thing to lose someone you can cherish and admire.”
PGA Tour commissioner Tom Finchem said Woods’ absence can’t be minimized.
“He does generate a significant increase in the overall interest in the sport, no question, and he does increase significantly the number of people that watch on television,” Finchem said. “And that plays into our long-term relationships with our television partners and the value of television rights.”
Woods reached out to his fellow Tour players, including those who were critical of him making his statement on the weekend of the Match Play event. After pointing out he was re-entering rehab today, Woods said: “I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I’m making these remarks today.”
Accenture was one of the sponsors that dropped Woods when the scandal broke, and it has been suggested the timing of his public statement was made to intentionally overshadow the PGA Tour event.
“I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course,” Woods added.
PGA Tour member Stewart Cink said Woods should deal with his issues before returning to golf.
“I was moved by how difficult it seemed to be for him,” Cink said. “But it’s a big part of the process to go through, that difficulty and to face up to what’s happened.”
Woods said that when he does return, he needs to alter his attitude.
“I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game,” he said.
Woods has been criticized by media and peers, including PGA legend Tom Watson, for his cussing and club throwing on the course.
Just when we’ll see the “more respectful” Woods is uncertain. It might be in 2010. It might not.
george.willis@nypost.com