US TOUR:ARNOLD PALMER believes Tiger Woods should "open up" and let the media "shoot at him" when he makes his return to golf. Woods announced he was taking an "indefinite break" from golf in December last year and two months later confessed to a number of extra-marital affairs in a lengthy statement.

The world number one subsequently revealed his intention to return to action at next month’s US Masters and has so far given only two brief television interviews since the sex scandal broke.

Making his competitive return at Augusta will afford him more protection from the media than at the vast majority of other tournaments, but Palmer believes Woods should face the music regardless.

“First of all, I will say we are disappointed Tiger isn’t here to play,” Palmer (80), told a press conference ahead of his Invitational tournament at Bay Hill, where Woods would have been the defending champion.

“I think it’s up to him to do and say whatever he feels he needs to do to redeem the situation, put it in the proper place.

“My opinion, as I said, I was going to keep to myself, but I suppose the best thing he could do would be open up and just let you guys shoot at him.”

Woods will have been out of action for five months by the time he tees off on April 8th at Augusta, scene of four of his 14 major championship victories.

“I can’t fathom taking five months off and going to Augusta, unless you have to, unless circumstances make it that you have no choice,” Palmer admitted.

“You can’t get very sharp not playing. Even just practising won’t do it. I think to be sharp, you have to compete. You have to be in the mood to compete.

“You can say a couple of weeks (off), that would be one thing, but five months . . .”

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie believes Woods has made a “very shrewd” choice in returning at Augusta.

Montgomerie, who is no stranger to heckling from American galleries, said: “He said that he’s nervous to come back and that’s the first time I’ve ever heard Tiger say those words.

“It’s very shrewd what he’s done to come back in the most controlled atmosphere possible.

“The Masters is a very controlled environment. The patrons are very knowledgeable and will respect him as the golfer that he is, and I think that there will be no issue at all.

“I think he’ll get over his nerves on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and will be as determined as anyone has ever been on a golf course to prove that he’s still the number one player in the world and, in my opinion, the best player ever to play the game.”

Asked about the reaction of the other players to Woods, and particularly those drawn to play with him, Montgomerie added: “You’d almost had to have asked for volunteers.

“There’s a number of players that will be looking at that draw sheet and will be delighted if they are not playing with Tiger on this occasion.

“But in saying that, it is a very controlled environment. There are no cameras allowed within the ropes. You see nothing bar your own opponent and caddie, and your own caddie.

“I think it will be fine. Coming to a so-called normal PGA Tour event, it might be different.

“But I think he’s been very wise in selecting the Masters for his return, and, believe me, he wouldn’t be playing if he didn’t think he could win.

“Even in my much lesser state I took four months off at the back end of 1995 and came back and won my first tournament, the Dubai Desert Classic in 1996, and he knows how to win.

“And it will be interesting to see how the other players around him react when his name is on that leaderboard again. It will be very different to see his name up there than some others.

“He has that aura about him and it will be interesting to see if other players react differently now, or the same as they did.

“It will be very exciting times.”

Bay Hill Invitational

Course: Bay Hill County Club, Orlando, Florida.

Length: 7,381 yards. Par: 72.

Prizemoney: €4.3 million, €750,000 to the winner.

Field: 120.

Defending champion: Tiger Woods.

First played: 1992.

Irish in action: Graeme McDowell

On TV: Sky Sports, beginning today at 7pm.

Time difference: Florida will be four hours behind Irish time until Sunday, when our clocks go forward to make a five-hour difference.