Abby Brammell

By Derek Lawrenson

At loggerheads: Tiger Woods' decision to arrange a stage-mannered show of contrition during the World Match Play has angered former World no 1 Ernie Els


So much for Tiger Woods beginning the process of making amends, to echo his
hapless manager Mark Steinberg’s choice of words.

The breathtaking arrogance of choosing the middle of the Accenture Match Play Championship as the time to break his 10-week silence following the allegations over his private life has caused uproar among players here in Arizona.

Never mind welcoming him back into the public domain with open arms. This was more like open season. Ernie Els, not just a big man in terms of stature, was happy to tell it how it is, and to heck with the written code that forbids players from criticising a fellow competitor. He was raging when he heard the news and hadn’t calmed down much when he spoke to reporters.

‘It is selfish, and you can write that,’ he said. ‘I feel sorry for the sponsors. Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Fridays. This takes a lot away from the golf tournament.’

Sergio Garcia agreed that the ‘timing wasn’t the best’ while Geoff Oogilvy raised a laugh when he said, in reference to today’s big statement:

‘Perhaps we could put the tournament on hold for 10 minutes so we can all watch.’

Down in the changing area, the levels of discontent were even more palpable. In football parlance, Woods has lost the locker room, and not just him, either.

For, as angry as the players are at the world No 1, they’re also seething at the bewildering decision of US Tour commissioner Tim Finchem to allow today’s announcement to take place at headquarters in Florida, thereby giving his blessing to the hijacking of one of his most prestigious events.

Have a guess where Finchem is today and no prizes if you’ve answered Florida, when he should be here. Who says Woods is not bigger than the game? Certainly not Finchem.

One pro, who asked not to be named, said: ‘The first thing we all thought of was that Tiger was sticking it to Accenture and that the PGA Tour are part of it all. It’s like Finchem has lost his head. He wants Tiger back in the worst way and so he lets this go on. I mean, we all want Tiger back, but this does not look good.’


On the road back: Woods jogs with a friend near his home in Windermere, Florida


In fairness to Steinberg, we should point out that he reckons there is a very good reason why Woods can speak only today and all will be revealed when the man in question opens his mouth.

What might that be, do you think? e’s entering next week’s Phoenix Oopen (the deadline is today)?

My best guess is that he’s just emerged from rehab, seen the kids, and has to go back over the next couple of days — in which case, why do you need to make any announcement at this stage?

So to today’s hilarious-sounding charade, where around 30 ‘friends, business associates and colleagues’ are expected to assemble around his feet to hear him tell his tale.

Sounds like they’ve been having a bit of trouble filling out the number. Fellow player John Cook heard from Woods for the first time in three months and was invited to be part of the cosy
gathering. told him he would be teeing it up in a senior tour event instead.

Neither is wife Elin expected to be among the number.

According to one report, Woods will arrive in a fleet of black SUVs and park in the vast hangar where all the golf carts usually go, so as to rule out the chance of anyone on the premises possibly taking his picture. Heaven forbid.


Picture the scene: The US Tour headquarters in Florida where Woods will speak


In the room where Woods will make his statement, there will be one television camera, providing a feed that will be available to all. There will be three news agency reporters and three others hand-picked by Steinberg, in collaboration with the American golf writers’ association.

None will be allowed to ask any questions. Meanwhile, some 400 yards away in a hotel conference room, another group of reporters will gather for heaven knows what
purpose, given that all they will be able to do is watch the television feed. This clear breach of the first amendment of the American Bill of Rights has caused something of a civil war among the journalism profession.

The point as to why so many reporters are acquiescing to Steinberg’s draconian proposals was best summed up by James Moore, writing on the influential blog website Huffington Post.

‘What does this say about journalism? What kind of wire service goes to a news conference where no questions are allowed? This appearance has the potential for Tiger’s friends and colleagues gathered in the room to turn it into a bit of a Greek chorus as he reads his statement,’ the blog argues.


Happier times: Woods with wife Elin Nordegren before the revelations broke


Naturally, a bright guy like Ogilvy was also offended by this insult to the intelligence.

‘The only thing I will say is that I would like to see him answer some questions. That would make it real because he wouldn’t be working off a script. But it’s a start, I guess.’

That’s all it is. Gutless, one American writer called it, and how sad to hear a word like that used about a man so fearless when it comes to playing his sport.

Watch Tiger’s TV address on Sky Sports News from 4pm


source: dailymail