The Wait Is Over: Tiger Will Return for the Masters

The story that seemed like it would never go away has come much closer to doing just that. Tiger Woods, who last played in a tournament on November 15, when he won the Australian Masters, has announced he'll return for the Masters, which starts on April 8. That noise you're hearing? It's the collective sigh of relief from the PGA corporate offices.

As ESPN reported, Woods released a statement today regarding his return. "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."

Back on February 19, Woods apologized for his behavior, saying he would return to golf "one day," but wasn't any more specific than that. Many people assumed it would be the Masters, but until today, no one knew for sure. Included in his statement today was mention of his ongoing treatment. "I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment. Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."

Whatever your opinion may be of Woods, and it's safe to say there are a wide range of opinions out there and most people would agree it's been a fascinating story. Few would argue that Woods is the best golfer on the planet, if not one of the best in history, and It's rare to see an athlete of his stature, one who did as good a job as anyone of controlling his image, let things spin so wildly out of control.

Should he have come forward initially and admitted to his indiscretions instead of letting people feed off of rumor after rumor? Sure, much like he should have gone to therapy much, much earlier. But if there's one thing we as a culture are good at is giving people second chances, especially those people we respected before having the rug pulled out from under us. We know that everyone screws up, as is the nature of being a human being, and each of us would want to be forgiven, so we do our best to forgive others. Woods' behavior has tested our ability to do just that, but he's also admitted his failings and apologized, so hopefully we will respond appropriately. And I think it's safe to say, no matter where people stand, many of them will be watching come April 8.

Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess via Wikimedia Commons.