Tiger Woods has made it official, according to an Associated Press report: He will make his return to professional golf at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta in a few weeks.
Earlier indications were that Woods could return as early as next week's Bay Hill Classic near his home in Florida. Arnold Palmer, host of the tournament, has been especially supportive of Woods in the wake of his Thanksgiving night crash and subsequent revelations of rampant adulterous womanizing. But the Masters, which has a reputation for strict crowd and media control, was the more logical choice for the coming back party.
Woods' return may be modest good news for Cliffs Communities founder and developer Jim Anthony, who has been among the golfer's most loyal supporters since the scandal emerged. Anthony attended Woods' recent press conference and talked later about the man-hug they exchanged at the event. If Woods can get things in order in his personal life, win a tournament or two and dull the noise in the media, Anthony may be able to rechurn the marketing machine for Woods' first American course, at The Cliffs' High Carolina community. If we were Anthony, however, we'd be cheering more loudly for the Dow Jones Industrials to add another 20% or so in overall value.
