GOLF NEWS:PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON believes Tiger Woods has put his family ahead of golf by passing up the chance to play some warm-up events before he returns at the US Masters in three weeks.
There had been speculation that the beleaguered world number one might use next week’s Tavistock Cup exhibition or the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill to knock some rust off his game and diffuse media hysteria before the season’s first major.
But the Dubliner reckons Woods’ decision to wait until Augusta to return to the game for the first time since he won the Australian Masters last November is proof that he is putting his family first.
Speaking from Tampa, Florida, where he is preparing for this week’s Transitions Championship, Harrington said: “Tiger needs to get back to the golf course to bring balance back to his life, because that is what he does. I think the fact that he is not coming out and playing before the Masters means that the emphasis is more on his family than it is on his golf.”
Woods needs another four major wins to equal Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 professional major championship victories, but Harrington believes that, while it is not out of the question, it will be difficult for the American to claim his 15th grand slam title after five months on the sidelines.
“Clearly he would be more competitive if he did play before the Masters,” Harrington said. “I think he is well capable of winning, but it is harder to win when you haven’t been playing and haven’t been competitive.”
Steve Stricker suggested last week that the powers at Augusta might not be happy with Woods overshadowing their event by using it as his comeback tournament.
But Harrington is certain both the players and the men who run the Masters tournament will welcome him back with open arms.
“The players just want to see him back and there is no issue there,” Harrington said. “In fairness to the Masters, it was there before Tiger and it will be there after Tiger.
“While there will be an extra bit of media attention on Tiger, I think it just shows the stature of the event that it will be well capable of handling that.
“Augusta would pride itself on being a golf event and they would be there to show that they are a golf event that week and that they would handle it.”
Harrington played with Woods in the first two rounds of the US Open and the US PGA last year, and would have no qualms about playing alongside the American at Augusta next month.
Dismissing fears that it could become a circus, he said: “That would be fine. Of all the places to play in the world, Augusta would be the best place in the world to play.
“It wouldn’t be an issue at all.
“It might be tough at another golf course, but not at Augusta. There will be no hullabaloo on the golf course.”
Sporting Comebacks
MUHAMMAD ALI
IN 1967, during the Vietnam War, Ali was inducted into the military but refused to serve on religious grounds.
He was stripped of his world titles and not allowed to box. In 1970 he won the right in court to fight again, and agreed (right) to fight Joe Frazier. He was to avenge his defeat to Frazier and regained his titles in 1974 when he knocked out George Foreman in Kinshasa.
MICHAEL JORDAN
JORDAN left the Chicago Bulls in 1993, not long after the murder of his father. He returned to action in 1995 and led the Bulls to three consecutive NBA titles. In 1999 he quit again, only to return two years later in Washington.
NIKI LAUDA
LAUDA RECEIVED terrible burns at the Nurburgring in 1976 and retired three years later. He founded an airline, but, in need of funds, returned to F1 with McLaren in 1982, going on the win the world title again in 1984.
LESTER PIGGOTT
PIGGOTT RODE nine Derby winners prior to retiring for the first time in 1985. Was sent to jail for tax irregularities in 1987 and resumed his riding career after his release, going on to win the Breeders’ Cup mile on Vincent O’Brien’s Royal Academy.
