TIGER WOODS AWARDED MEDAL OF FREEDOM (BACK ON TOP)

TIGER WOODS AWARDED MEDAL OF FREEDOM (BACK ON TOP):

TIGER’S APPEARANCE BEARS THE BATTLE SCARS OF A WOUNDED SOLDIER BUT HE REMAINS NO.1 IN GOLF.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO BOUNCE BACK IN LIFE AFTER EMBARRASSING SCANDALS AND BEING PERSONALLY ATTACKED.

GOD BLESS TIGER & HIS CHILDREN,

Post Sources: AP, ESPN, Youtube


**** Medal of Freedom awarded to 'true legend' Tiger


President Donald Trump awarded golfer Tiger Woods the nation's highest civilian honor on Monday, describing the 43-year-old as a "true legend" who transformed golf and then fought through years of injury to return to the sport's summit.

Trump awarded Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Woods is the fourth golfer to earn that distinction and certainly the youngest.

While he dominated the sport for more than a decade, he won his first major in nearly 11 years at last month's Masters tournament, a comeback that captivated the sporting world.

"Tiger was back on top," Trump declared during the Rose Garden ceremony.

Trump described the litany of victories Woods has obtained during his remarkable career and the injuries that almost derailed it.

"This evening, we are in the presence of a true legend, an extraordinary athlete who has transformed golf and achieved new levels of dominance," Trump said during the presentation. "He's also a great person. He's a great guy."

Jack Nicklaus, a previous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, was among several golfers to congratulate Woods in messages on their Twitter accounts.

Woods was joined at the ceremony by his mother, Kultida; daughter, Sam Alexis, 11; son, Charlie Axel, 10; and girlfriend, Erica Herman.

Woods' father, Earl, passed away more than a decade ago. Woods' longtime caddie Joe LaCava also attended.

Woods became emotional as he spoke of his parents, and he thanked those who have supported him over the years, saying, "You've seen the good and bad, the highs and lows, and I would not be in this position without all of your help."

Woods tweeted after the White House ceremony:

President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Freedom to Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Obama presented it to Charlie Sifford, sometimes referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of golf." Woods noted that he named his son after Sifford. "He was like the grandpa I never had," Woods recalled.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given to individuals who have made "especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," according to the White House.

Presidents have complete discretion over whom they honor with the medal.

NIKE STANDS BY TIGER WOODS AFTER DUI ARREST (LOYALTY & GRATITUDE)

NIKE STANDS BY TIGER WOODS AFTER DUI ARREST (LOYALTY):

TIGER HAS MADE A TON OF $$$ FOR NIKE.

TIGER IS STILL AN AMAZING GOLFER.


Sources: CBS News, Fox News, YouTube


***** Iconic Sponsor NIKE weigh in on Tiger Woods' DUI arrest


Nike is keeping its sponsorship of golf pro Tiger Woods, after his arrest in Florida for driving under the influence.

A spokesman told CBS News, "There is no change in our relationship with Tiger."

The golfer admitted to getting behind the wheel after taking a potent mix of prescription drugs.

Police reports confirm Woods was not drunk, reports CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez.

Two breathalyzer tests showed his blood alcohol level at zero.

Still, officers say Woods slurred his speech and failed field sobriety tests, prompting them to take him into custody.

Around 2:00 am Monday morning police say they found Woods asleep behind the wheel of a black Mercedes.

His car was blocking the right hand lane, its left brake light on and right turn signal flashing. Both drivers' side tires were flat. The rims were damaged.

Once awake, police say Woods was swaying, that his eyes were extremely droopy and seemed as if he was lost. Woods also told officers he had taken four medications, including the painkiller Vicodin.

"I feel bad for him," said Jack Nicklaus at a press conference. The golf great said he hopes Woods will play again. "He needs a lot of support from a lot of people, and I'll be one of them."

Vicodin is a highly addictive opioid often used for post-surgical pain. The FDA warns the drug can impair driving.

Woods, who is recovering from a back operation last month, said: "I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions."

"Tiger lucked out. He got pulled off the road before he committed an even worse crime -- before he killed somebody, before he injured someone or himself," said Heather Geronemus, a Mothers Against Drunk Driving board member.

Prescription drugs also allegedly played a role in Woods' 2009 crash. The latest incident so far has not cost him any sponsorships.

Bridgestone Golf told "CBS This Morning" it was, "... continuing to monitor the situation."

"It saddens you," said legal analyst and former "60 Minutes Sports" correspondent, Jack Ford.

Ford once played a round of golf with Woods. He says few DUI cases ever go to trial.

"The process has become so sophisticated -- the testing process so sophisticated -- and the penalties are fairly severe. So usually people try to work something out," Ford said.

Jupiter police say they will release dash cam footage of the arrest later today.

Woods received two citations – driving under the influence and illegal parking. His first court appearance is scheduled for July 5.

TIGER WOODS ARRESTED FOR DUI

TIGER WOODS ARRESTED FOR DUI:

IS HE LOSING IT??


Sources: AJC, AP, YouTube


***** Tiger Woods: ‘Unexpected reaction’ to meds led to DUI arrest


Golfer Tiger Woods spent Memorial Day morning in a Jupiter, Fla., jail charged with DUI following a traffic stop.

Woods was arrested about 3 a.m., according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. He was released on his own recognizance about eight hours later.

Woods on Monday blamed an unexpected reaction to medication as the reason for his arrest.

The 14-time major championship winner, in a statement, insisted alcohol was not a contributing factor.

“I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Woods, 41, wrote in a statement. “I want the public to now that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn't realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.

“I would like to apologize with all my heart to my family, friends and the fans. I expect more from myself, too.”

Woods, who lives in Jupiter Island, has undergone four surgeries to relieve chronic back pain since 2014. His most recent procedure was in April.

He has not played professionally since February. He has missed three of the last four Masters Tournaments at Augusta National Golf Club.

Tiger's Sex Scandals Foiled 2010 Masters Win, Mickelson Shines

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Its true Phil Mickelson came in first place @ the 2010 Augusta Masters 16-under par.

Mickelson is an awfully good player but he's not a Great Golfer like Tiger Woods.

Tiger tried to focus on his game but ghosts from his past repeatedly taunted him, thus he handed the championship over to Mickelson on a silver platter.

I pray Tiger will seek God for future guidance and that he bounces back in full force next year.


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Sources: NBC Sports, MSNBC, Tiger Woods.com, Google Maps

"Did You Learn Anything?" Tiger Woods' New Nike Ad Featuring Earl Woods' Voice

Tiger Woods' Father Asks In Nike ad, "Did You Learn Anything?"


Tiger Woods - who brought along his mom when he apologized to the nation for his tomcatting ways - Wednesday night turned to his dead dad to polish his image.

On the eve of his return to competitive golf, Woods starred in an eerie new Nike ad invoking the haunting voice of his father.

The 30-second spot began airing last night on ESPN and the Golf Channel and is expected to be repeated Thursday as the girl-crazy golfer tees up for his first round at the Masters.

In the stark, black-and-white commercial, a camera zooms in on Woods' solemn face as he stands on a golf course wearing the famous Nike swoosh on his hat and dark pullover sweater vest.

Woods doesn't say a word in the ad, but in a voice-over his father, Earl, who died of prostate cancer in 2006, asks his troubled son, "Did you learn anything?"

While the ad does not specifically address Tiger's serial infidelity, it harkens to his marital woes in the tone of his father's deep husky voice from the grave.

"Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion," Earl Woods says. "I wanna find out what your thinking was. I wanna find out what your feelings are, and, did you learn anything."

Nike officials said the ad will only run until 4 p.m. Wednesday.

"We support Tiger and his family. As he returns to competitive golf, the ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father," Nike officials said in a statement.

It was not clear when the recording of Earl Woods was made or in what context.

The ad marks Woods' first return to the airwaves as a pitchman, albeit one missing the charismatic smile that once earned him multimillions from sponsors.

But it wasn't the first time he relied on his folks to help make him look more sympathetic.

His mom, Kutilda Woods, sat stoically in the audience and gave her son a big hug when he gave a teary mea culpa in February for cheating on his wife, Elin Nordegren.

The Nike commercial aired on a day Woods received an unprecedented verbal spanking from the boss of the Masters tourney for his "egregious" conduct.

Masters Chairman Billy Payne blasted Woods' behavior, even as a new tabloid report added a nubile neighbor to the golf great's parade of porn stars and party girls.

"It's not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here," Payne said in his annual pre-Masters talk in Augusta. "Our hero did not live up to the expectations as a role model that we sought for our children."

Payne said Woods' golf game makes him "worthy" of being mentioned in the same breath as Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer.

"But as he now says himself, he forgot in the process to remember that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility," he said.

It was a stunning rebuke for Woods, who had been treated with kid gloves by Masters officials bent on getting golf's biggest moneymaker back on the links.

Woods took his medicine from Payne without a murmur.

Nor did Team Tiger respond to a National Enquirer report that Woods had a two-hour romp with 22-year-old neighbor Raychel Coudriet last May on a couch in his office - near a crib for one of the golfer's kids.

"I felt used and violated, like I meant nothing to him but a night of casual sex," Coudriet told her friend afterward, the tab says. "I just wanted to dig a big hole, crawl in and die."


Sources: Nike, NY Daily News, CBS News, Youtube

Tiger Woods' Full Press Conference, Augusta Masters

Woods Denies Galea Gave Him HGH


Despite winning numerous times over the past several years, including major championships, Tiger Woods admitted Monday that golf was not fun because of all the turmoil in his personal life.

That's why, Woods said, he is looking forward to the start of the Masters on Thursday, his first tournament since a sordid sex scandal put his career on hold.

"Look at what I was engaged in," Woods said to a packed interview room at Augusta National Golf Club, where Woods held his first news conference in more than five months. "When you're living a life that is a lie, life isn't fun ... that's been stripped away. It feels fun again."

Woods' highly anticipated news conference before more than 200 reporters lasted 34 minutes and included all range of questions, including why he chose to receive treatment from a Canadian doctor who has been linked to performance enhancing drugs with other athletes.

For the first time, Woods disclosed that in addition to recovering from reconstructive knee surgery in late 2008, he also tore his Achilles tendon in his right foot late that year.

Woods admitted to undergoing a procedure known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which helps speed the healing process. He said he chose Dr. Anthony Galea -- who is under federal investigation in a drugs case -- because of his work with other athletes. Galea came to Woods' house to perform the procedure.

The platelet rich plasma treatment Woods cited was introduced in the 1970s for surgical uses in hospitals. It didn't enter sports medicine until a decade ago. In the 30-minute procedure, a tube of a patient's blood is put in a centrifuge and spun, producing concentrated platelets. The platelets contain growth factors that accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. The platelets then are injected into the injury site.

PRP is gaining popularity among injured "weekend warriors" and their insurers because its $2,000 cost is a fraction of that for potential surgeries.

The procedure is legal under the PGA Tour's drug testing policy.

Woods also denied that Galea gave him human growth hormone.

"I've never taken any illegal drug in my life," Woods said.

Woods said that his agent, Mark Steinberg, has been contacted by federal investigators about Galea, who has been charged with dispensing illegal drugs in both Canada and the United States. Woods vowed his full cooperation.

"They contacted my agent and will get full cooperation whenever they need me, but right now they haven't asked for my time," he said.

Asked why he did not address the issue earlier -- The New York Times first reported Galea's link to Woods in December -- the golfer said it was because he had not had the forum to discuss it, and wasn't asked in the two televised interviews last month.

Woods' world -- and that of golf -- has changed greatly since his Nov. 27 SUV accident just outside of his Florida driveway.

That mysterious run-in with a fire hydrant and a tree began a stream of negative publicity that continued with numerous reports of marital affairs, his leave from the game, a stint in undisclosed rehab, and a gradual return to the public glare.

Woods said that that he had five stitches in his mouth after the infamous Thanksgiving night car crash.

Woods also said he made "some incredibly bad decisions" and "hurt so many people." He again said that he takes all the blame for allowing his life to fall apart and refused to say why he spent 45 days in rehabilitation. He said he intends to continue with his treatment.

While his wife, Elin, won't be joining him at Augusta, Woods still believes he can win his fifth green jacket after a five-month layoff.

"Nothing's changed," Woods said. "Going to go out there and try to win this thing."

Woods made his first public comments on Feb. 19 at PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., apologizing to his family, friends and business associates and promising to "make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I've made. It's up to me to start living a life of integrity."

Just less than a month later, on March 16, Woods announced that he would be returning to golf at the Masters. On March 21, he gave his first interviews, five-minutes each to ESPN and Golf Channel. Monday was the first time he took questions in an extended format.

Typically, Woods would have fielded queries in a pre-tournament setting which topics such as why he has not won the Masters in five years or why he has claimed just one green jacket in his past seven attempts.

But after a break from golf of nearly five months, the answers to those questions were left for another day.

Among the subjects he addressed among the 48 questions asked:

• On why he didn't speak to the police, sponsors or the media in the five weeks following the accident and before he entered rehab: "I did everything to the letter of the law. The lawyers gave me advice and I followed that advice. I did everything to the letter of the law."

• On showing more respect to the game, as he vowed to do in February: "I made a conscious decision to try and tone down my negative outbursts and consequently my positives outbursts will be calmed down as well."

• On winning golf tournaments while living a secret life and how he will be able to move forward: "I think how I was earlier in my career. I was at peace, and I've had some great years. Unfortunately what I've done over the past years has been just terrible to my family. And the fact I won golf tournaments I think is irrelevant."

• On whether he has taken prescription drugs Ambien and Vicoden: "I've taken them, yes. I've had some pretty interesting knee situations over the years. I've had four operations now on my left knee. Then last year with my torn Achilles, it hurt quite a bit at times ... That's when I was taking some of those things to help me sleep."

• On rehab: "I was in there for 45 days and it was to take a hard look at myself, and I did, and I've come out better. I'm certainly a much better person for it than I was going in. Does that mean I'm ever going to stop doing that? No, I've got to still continue with my treatment. And that's not going to stop in the near future for sure." Asked what the treatment was for, Woods said: "That's personal."

• On how he fooled so many people for so long: "I fooled myself as well. I lied to a lot of people, deceived a lot of people, kept others in the dark," he said. "Rationalized and even lied to myself. And when you strip that all away ... the full magnitude of it, it's pretty brutal. I take full responsibility for what I've done, and I don't take that lightly."

Masters officials made it clear that it was their idea for the interview to take place on Monday, not as a concession to Woods, who would have normally met the media on Tuesday. But to do so then would have rendered every other interview meaningless, while making it impossible to get the focus on the tournament.

"A lot has happened in my life in the past five months," Woods said. "I'm here at the Masters to play and compete and I'm really excited about doing that."

Earlier Woods played a practice round with former Masters champion Fred Couples. They were joined by Jim Furyk on the 13th and played the rest of the way together.

Although the crowd was cordial, it was not overly enthusiastic.

Woods made an attempt to interact with spectators -- not typical for him -- and even engaged in the tradition of trying to skip a shot over the pond at Augusta's par-3 16th. Nobody ever remembers Woods doing that.

Woods said he'll play another practice round Tuesday with Steve Stricker and Mark O'Meara.

"I was more nervous [out there],'' Woods said. "That first tee, I didn't know what to expect. To be out there in front of the people where I have done some things that are just horrible. For the fans to really want to see me play golf again, that felt great. ... Today was a little bit different. I kind of took it in a little bit more and it felt really good.''

Woods also promised to tone down his outbursts after good and bad shots alike, saying he had a responsibility to children as a role model to set a better example on the course.

"A lot has happened in my life in the past five months," Woods said. "I'm here at the Masters to play and compete and I'm really excited about doing that."



Sources: AP, ESPN, McClatchy Newspapers

Tiger Keeps Low Profile At Augusta Masters, PGA Safe Haven

Date: Apr. 8-11, 2010
2009 Champion: Angel Cabrera
Course: Augusta National Golf Club
Where: Augusta, Ga.
Yardage, par: 7,435 yards, par-72
TV coverage: ESPN, CBS

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Tiger Woods Joins Practice Round At Augusta


With little fanfare and even less attention, Tiger Woods arrived at Augusta National on Sunday afternoon to continue preparations for the Masters.

In what would likely be categorized as his first semi-public appearance on a golf course since a highly publicized sex scandal caused him to take a leave from the game, Woods walked onto Augusta National's new state-of-the-art driving range at 1:39 p.m. to begin warming up.

Woods leisurely hit balls between pros Paul Casey and Brian Gay, with his long-time caddie, Steve Williams, at his side. Swing coach Hank Haney watched from behind.

Augusta National was not open to spectators on Sunday, but there was a good bit of activity nonetheless as last-minute preparations were on-going. Media members, as is customary, were allowed on the property, but not the course, as the club was still open to member play.

And a good number of members took advantage of warm temperatures and perfect conditions, as did several players who are in this week's field. The tournament begins Thursday.

Woods, who has played several practice rounds at Augusta National since announcing on March 16 that he would make his return to golf here, headed to the course after his warm-up session where he saw friend and 1998 Masters champion Mark O'Meara coming off the ninth green.

The two briefly embraced, then Woods joined O'Meara for a practice round on the 10th tee -- with at least a half-dozen security personnel tagging along.

"That's the first time I've seen Tiger since the British Open, July last year," O'Meara said after the 9-hole practice round. "It was nice to see my friend. I care deeply about Tiger and his family."

"I know it's been a tough 4 or 5 months. Like I told him out there, this is where he belongs, on the golf course. He's done a lot of good for the game. The personal side of it, obviously ... not so good. I think he realizes that. He's trying to turn himself around as a person and as a father."

"Hey listen, no one is perfect. We thought he was but no one is actually perfect."

Woods has not played a tournament round since winning the Australian Masters on Nov. 15. O'Meara said that Woods was "swinging well" and that he looked "great."

"He's doing what he needs to do, starting back at a pace that he wants to start back," O'Meara said. "He's going to be fine. Of all the people I've ever met, he's one of the toughest guys mentally I've ever met. I think he'll do well this week. He's been out of the game for awhile, but he left with a win. Certainly he knows how to win. He's won here four times. I just think he's ready to get back out playing and competing against the rest of the guys."


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Sources: ESPN, Fox Sports, MSNBC, Google Maps

Michael Jordan Caused Tiger Woods' Fall? Nonsense!

Don't blame Michael Jordan For Tiger's Fall


It's ridiculous to blame Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley for Tiger Woods' love of gambling, waitresses, Playmates and porn stars.

Long before there were commercials telling kids to "be like Mike," Las Vegas built a three-mile strip of luxury hotels specifically to house and entertain men who love gambling, waitresses, Playmates and porn stars.

Blaming Jordan and Barkley for Tiger's indiscretions is the equivalent of fingering the pair for the wetness of water.

It's silly, naive and dishonest.

And that's my impression of the long-winded Tiger Woods expose in the May issue of Vanity Fair Magazine.

Oh, it was fascinating, too. I devoured the whole thing and highly recommend that you pick up a copy. Just carry with you a heavy dose of skepticism when reading the perspective attributed to John Merchant, a self-proclaimed former Tiger advisor.

Merchant, 77, is the lawyer who points a finger at Jordan and Barkley for the demise of Tiger's squeaky image.

"I told (Tiger), 'Stay away from that son of a bitch (Jordan), because he doesn't have anything to offer to the f***ing world in which he lives except playing basketball, which he did yesterday,' " Merchant told Vanity Fair. "Are they (Jordan and Barkley) his black role models? You've got to be kidding me."

Merchant is black and apparently quite bitter about being cut out of the Tiger gravy train in 1996, shortly after Tiger signed his $40 million endorsement deal with Nike.

Using an unidentified source, the Vanity Fair story paints the picture that Merchant was discarded by Team Tiger because Merchant righteously insisted that $1 million of Nike's $40 million go to a minority golf initiative rather than Earl Woods, Tiger's father.

Merchant boldly claims that he could've steered Tiger clear of temptations of the flesh.

"I honestly believe, if I had been there these things would not have happened," Merchant is quoted as saying. "Why? Because I don't give a good goddam about Tiger's money. I care about Tiger the person, who has earned the right to be respected. Everybody he talks to has to protect their paycheck. I loved that boy. I watched him grow over the years. I watched him relate to his father. I see all of that destroyed."

OK, now we're getting to the heart of my problem with pinning Tiger's mess on Jordan and Barkley.

Tiger had a heavily involved father who passed away when Woods was 30. Pardon the cliche: apples don't fall far from trees.

Earl Woods left his first wife and three kids to build a new life with Tiger's mother. Earl Woods, according to this same Vanity Fair story, seemed to share Tiger's affinity for hot and loose women.

We're blaming Jordan and Barkley? What about Earl Woods?

No parent is perfect. Good parents make mistakes along the way. It's my belief that Earl Woods was a good father who made several critical mistakes along the way.

He crippled Tiger with expectations only Jesus could live up to.

"Tiger will do more than any other man in history to change the course of humanity," Earl Woods told Sports Illustrated at the beginning of Tiger's career.

No doubt, all of us in the media should've called bull(spit) on Earl's assertion at the time he said it. Some members of the media did. I'm ashamed I was not one of them.

Why didn't I? Part of me assumed Earl was just talking (spit). Another part of me wanted Tiger to be Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis rolled into one. Important athletes make sportswriting important.

Tiger Woods as transcendent athlete is good for my line of work.

Looking back, we should not be surprised that Tiger lost himself in narcissistic sexual pleasure. His dad wanted him to be Jesus. Preachers' kids often rebel with sexual promiscuity, alcohol and drugs.

That's my fear. That Tiger's demons are worse than his appetite for easy women.

After his press conference in February, I wrote a column comparing Woods to Michael Jackson. No one blamed Elvis Presley or Quincy Jones for Jackson's fall from grace.

We blamed Joe Jackson, Michael's father.

Is there a difference between Joe Jackson and Earl Woods?

Both focused on raising entertainers more than human beings.


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Sources: Fox Sports, MSN, Google Maps

Tiger Woods' 5 Minute ESPN Interview

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Sources: ESPN, Youtube, Google Maps

Pres. Obama Praises Tiger Woods

President Obama: Tiger Woods Is Still The Man


President Barack Obama says it doesn't matter how many times Tiger Woods flopped in the hay with other women -- he's still gonna be one badass golfing machine.

Obama told Fox News today ... while Tiger betrayed his family -- and has lots of unresolved issues -- "he's still going to be a terrific golfer."


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Sources: Fox News, TMZ, Golf Digest, Google Maps

Tiger Woods To Play In 2010 Augusta Masters...His Statement

Tiger To Return To Pro Golf At Masters



Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will begin his 2010 season at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in April.

"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.

"The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been awhile since I last played.

"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.

"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play. I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments, and I look forward to competing in them again.

"I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game."


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Sources: ESPN, Tiger Woods.com, Google Maps

Gatorade Is Tiger Free! Woods Loses His $100M Gatorade Contract

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Gatorade Breaks Off $100M, 5-Year Deal With Tiger Woods


Gatorade is now Tiger-free.

The world's greatest golfer was dumped Friday by the sports drink company, just one week after Woods' public apology for a string of sordid extramarital affairs.

It's the latest financial blow to Woods, already abandoned by major sponsors AT&T and Accenture.

Woods - once featured in Gatorade ads with fellow stars Michael Jordan and Peyton Manning - signed a reported five-year, $100 million deal with the company in 2007.

"We no longer see a role for Tiger in our marketing efforts and have ended our relationship," said a Gatorade statement. "We wish him all the best."

But not everybody has ditched Tiger, according to a new Golf Digest magazine piece on Woods.

President Obama and former President Bill Clinton offered encouragement to the fidelity-challenged golfer in separate phone calls after the sex scandal broke.

The Golf Digest article also reports:

- Woods discussed the sordid details of his cheating with wife Elin Nordegren during a no-holds-barred "Disclosure Day" as part of his therapy.

- Woods has not hit a golf ball since the Thanksgiving night car wreck that preceded his fall from grace.

- His mother, Kultida, accompanied Woods on a visit to a Buddhist monk just before his 34th birthday Dec. 30.

"I tell him, 'Tiger, right now you are in a dark hole, and I know it's hard, but you can do it,'" Kultida was quoted as saying.

"'You know mom is strong, and you have my blood. You are strong, too,' she told him. 'You made a big mistake, but now you know the cost. So you are going to be much better and stronger, a good husband and a good father.'"

Sources: CNBC, NY Daily News, MSNBC, Golf Digest

The Sports World Analyzes Tiger's Press Conference

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Don't Listen to Stephen A. Smith: Believe Tiger Woods' Apology


We’ve had months to speculate, spread rumors, read tabloids, and talk trash.

Tiger Woods did some bad, bad things, and deserved every bit of criticism directed his way. And even he admitted that.

He admitted he was selfish, irresponsible, and foolish. He admitted everything.

He spoke in front of cameras, in front of a room full of people, and he came prepared. He used written words on a piece of paper as a guide, and while it sounded as if he’d read it in front of a mirror a hundred times, it still felt genuine.

But not according to Stephen A. Smith, aka “I’ll say anything that gets me quoted”.

Smith is a joke, always has been, and always will be. He has no right to even begin to question Wood’s motives or beliefs, let alone whether he’s actually genuine.

Smith called Woods’ open apology “fake” and “phony”, and said that he was a robot, merely reading a script.

He even questioned what world everyone else was living in, because they clearly weren’t living in the same world he was.

Thank God for that.

Smith is doing exactly what we expect of him. He’s kicking a man when he’s down. He’s “speaking his mind”, without actually using it.

He’s opening that stupid, loose-tongued mouth for the public to hear all of his ridiculous comments. Because he thinks he’s entitled to it, because he gets paid to do it, and because he loves to go against the grain.

Well, even ESPN’s Skip Bayless would agree that, while it will get you popularity (good or bad), it’s not always best to argue or disagree just to do so.

Tiger Woods braved the cold stares of all the people sitting on their couches across America. The guy is in rehab, trying to repair his marriage, his self esteem, his ego, and his marriage.

He doesn’t need people telling him it’s all for nothing. That he’s a fake. That his words weren’t honest or sincere.

I watched Woods read from a piece of paper, plead (or scold) the media, and telling them not to follow his wife and children.

I wasn’t offended by anything he said. Rather, I was impressed.

He covered all the bases, made all the appropriate apologies, and asked in his final statement, for all of America to think about one day being able to look at him as they once had.

As a role model, a good person, and a family man.

He made his mistakes, and he’s paying dearly for them.

It’s time to accept his apology for what it was: simply a step in the process, something he had to do, and unless we can prove it to be fake, a sincere and genuine piece of the puzzle that leads to him putting his life back together.

Humpy Dumpty fell off the wall, and he’s trying to get back up again. Let’s not let people like Steven A. Smith abuse their power and thwart those attempts.

More, let’s help Woods patch things up. Be patient, wait for him to figure it out. He may not play at the Masters. He may not even play this year.

But that’s besides the point. He’s a man, a husband, and a father before a golfer. And even Stephen A. Smith should be able to respect that. Emphasis on should.





Full Text Of Woods Statement



Good morning, and thank you for joining me. Many of you in this room are my friends. Many of you in this room know me. Many of you have cheered for me or you've worked with me or you've supported me.

Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.

I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say.

Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.

I am also aware of the pain my behavior has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally. My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners.

To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever. Thirteen years ago, my dad and I envisioned helping young people achieve their dreams through education. This work remains unchanged and will continue to grow. From the Learning Center students in Southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington, D.C., millions of kids have changed their lives, and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.

But still, I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position.

For all that I have done, I am so sorry.

I have a lot to atone for, but there is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame.

The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame.

I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn't have to go far to find them.

I was wrong. I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me.

I've had a lot of time to think about what I've done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It's now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I've made. It's up to me to start living a life of integrity.

I once heard, and I believe it's true, it's not what you achieve in life that matters; it's what you overcome. Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.

Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry.

It's hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I'm facing. I have a long way to go. But I've taken my first steps in the right direction.

As I proceed, I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants to ask me for the details and the times I was unfaithful. I understand people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together. Please know that as far as I'm concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me. These are issues between a husband and a wife.

Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance-enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false. Some have written things about my family. Despite the damage I have done, I still believe it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight. They did not do these things; I did.

I have always tried to maintain a private space for my wife and children. They have been kept separate from my sponsors, my commercial endorsements. When my children were born, we only released photographs so that the paparazzi could not chase them. However, my behavior doesn't make it right for the media to follow my 2½-year-old daughter to school and report the school's location. They staked out my wife and they pursued my mom. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.

I recognize I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That's where my focus will be.

I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don't realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught.

As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I've learned that's how people really do change. Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy. I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I'm making these remarks today.

In therapy I've learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things that are most important to me, my marriage and my children.

That also means relying on others for help. I've learned to seek support from my peers in therapy, and I hope someday to return that support to others who are seeking help. I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be.

I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game. In recent weeks I have received many thousands of e-mails, letters and phone calls from people expressing good wishes. To everyone who has reached out to me and my family, thank you. Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me.

I want to thank the PGA Tour, Commissioner [Tim] Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course.

Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again.

Thank you.


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Sources: ESPN, MSNBC, Google Maps

Tiger Woods' Press Conference, His Contrite Apology (Video)

Tiger Woods' Apology: "I Am So Sorry"


In a tightly controlled televised statement, golfer Tiger Woods apologized Friday for his "irresponsible and selfish" behavior.

"I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you," said the golfer, dressed in a blue button-down shirt and a blazer. "For all that I have done, I am so sorry. ...

"I had affairs, I cheated. What I did was not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame."

It was his first public appearance since his November car crash outside his home near Orlando, Florida -- the beginning of what would become an torrent of bad news for the golfer.

The 11 a.m. ET event, at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, was carefully managed, with a small hand-picked crowd as an audience.

Although some members of the media were invited to listen to Woods' remarks, they were not allowed to ask questions. The large majority of reporters and media were housed at least a half a mile away, where they watched the event on television.

Woods' mother attended, although his wife, Elin Nordegren, did not.

The golfer's statement came amid the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Accenture is among the companies that ended its relationship with the 34-year-old superstar.

Accenture spokesman Fred Hawrysh said Thursday that the company did not think Woods' statement would be a distraction to the tournament, which began Wednesday in Dove Mountain, Arizona. Friday's session will begin well after Woods' remarks.

Woods -- who has won the event three times, according to GolfWeek Magazine -- has taken an indefinite break from his professional golfing career.

"I have tremendous confidence in the golf media covering the tournament," Hawrysh said, explaining why he thought the statement wouldn't take away from the golfing event.

Some golfers didn't agree, however. "It's selfish," Ernie Els told GolfWeek. "You can write that. I feel sorry for the sponsor. Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday. This takes a lot away from the golf tournament."

The highly managed conditions of the statement also prompted the Golf Writers Association of America -- which was invited to have three members present and then later negotiated to have six -- to boycott the event.

The association's president, Vartan Kupelian, said the group was still covering the event, but was simply not present in the room.

"As long as we're not going to have the ability to ask questions, as long as we're just going to be standing there like props, there's no point of us being in the room," he told CNN.

Former sportscaster Pat O'Brien criticized the way Woods seemed to be controlling the news conference.

"He might as well have done this on YouTube," O'Brien said Thursday on CNN's "Larry King Live." "But I do think that he's got to subject himself to some sort of question-and-answer at some point, otherwise people are just going to -- it's already a disaster."

"If you listened to sports talk radio today, he's just getting ripped to shreds," O'Brien added.

Tiger's agent said the golfer feels many of the issues he is dealing with are private but he still owes his fans an explanation.

"While Tiger feels that what happened is fundamentally a matter between him and his wife, he also recognizes that he has hurt and let down a lot of other people who were close to him. He also let down his fans. He wants to begin the process of making amends, and that's what he's going to discuss," Steinberg said.


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Sources: CNN, McClatchy Newspapers, Google Maps

Golf Not The Same Without Tiger, Elin Wants To Stay

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Mickelson Hopes Rival Woods Returns Soon


The biggest crowd at Torrey Pines on Wednesday formed a semicircle around the 10th tee to watch Phil Mickelson, who suddenly is more than a hometown hero. He is looked upon now to deliver star power in the absence of Tiger Woods.

Mickelson relishes just about any challenge that involves Woods.

Just not this one.

“Nobody will be able to ... fill the shoes,” Mickelson said.

Speaking for the first time since Woods’ spectacular and sordid downfall led to an indefinite break, Mickelson didn’t bother waiting for the first question at his press conference before the Farmers Insurance Open. He offered a pre-emptive strike filled with compassion and perspective, even if it was short on detail.

“The game of golf needs him to come back,” Mickelson said. “It’s important for him to come back and be a part of the sport. But right now, he’s got a lot more important things going on in his life. Amy and I are good friends with both Tiger and Elin, and we care deeply about how this turns out.

“But I’m going to choose not to talk about it publicly anymore, and I appreciate your understanding on that.”

More questions followed, although Mickelson refused to be drawn into a discussion on whether he can fill the void left by Woods or whether he was surprised by the amount of media coverage, from gossip magazines to standup routines on late shows.

He did confirm that he has tried to reach out to his longtime rival and had “limited communication.”

“With the family — not necessarily saying with who in the family,” Mickelson said.

No one has more to gain than Mickelson while Woods is away.

He is the No. 2 player — in the ranking, PGA Tour victories, television appeal — and even before details emerged of Woods’ infidelity, Mickelson was poised to challenge him like never before.

In their final PGA Tour event, Mickelson charged from behind in the final round of the Tour Championship for a three-shot victory over Woods. The last time they competed was in the final round of the HSBC Champions in Shanghai. They played in the final group, and Mickelson turned a two-shot lead over Woods into a six-shot margin at the turn and went on to victory.

The turnaround for Mickelson came in September when he hooked up with former PGA champion Dave Stockton, who persuaded Mickelson to go back to his old style of putting. Mickelson started making everything, a frightening complement with work he has done on his long game. For the first time, Mickelson believes his driving is a weapon instead of a weakness.

With some 100 fans gathered around, he sent his tee shot well right of the fairway, the bunker and the rough until it settled in a small cluster of trees near the adjacent 18th fairway.

Mickelson simply laughed.

“So much for my driving,” he said.

He is more at ease with himself, on the golf course and at home. Mickelson spent the last two days in Houston getting more cancer treatment for his wife. He says the long-term prognosis is good, although he knows better to take anything for granted with cancer.

Even so, he said the “scary time” is over.

Mickelson is a three-time winner at Torrey Pines, although he hasn’t seriously contended since the South course was revamped and the greens were rebuilt to get ready for the 2008 U.S. Open. He believes he finally has it figured out.

The timing couldn’t be better.

While the Farmers Insurance Open has the prime spot on the West Coast schedule — played during the one-week break before the Super Bowl — the field at Torrey Pines never had been particularly strong. It only looked that way because it featured Woods and Mickelson, the top two draws in golf.

Mickelson is among three players from the top 20 — the others are Robert Allenby and Ernie Els.

Storms swamped the courses last week, and while they are in good shape heading into the opening round, officials could only get lawn mowers in the rough on Tuesday. It was still thick, prompting Allenby to say as he studied his ball in the left rough Wednesday, “We played a U.S. Open here already. Are we playing another one?”

The U.S. Open is the biggest trophy missing from Mickelson’s collection, and he’s hopeful this is the year he wins that and so many other prizes that have eluded him — a money title, PGA Tour player of the year, even No. 1 in the world.

“My whole career, I’ve been trying to get to No. 1,” Mickelson said. “I just haven’t had much success. But this year, whether or not Tiger is in the field, I still believe that this is an opportunity for me to compete in majors, to challenge him. I’ve had some great head-to-head success in the last year or two, and I expect this year — with or without him — to be one of the best years of my career.”

Still, he made no secret of his hopes for Woods. Mickelson wants him back, for himself and the sport.

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Tiger Woods Misses Golf, While Elin Nordegren Wants To Save Family



Tiger Woods' wife wants to save a marriage - but the disgraced golfer wants to save a money-making brand.

While Elin Nordegren is desperate for their two kids to have a dad, Woods "wants to go back to being a golf star with major endorsements," a Florida insider told People.com Tuesday.

"He wants his clients, who have kids of their own, to think he is a good family man."

Woods, the insider said, had hoped that his wife's furor over his serial philandering "would die down so they could discuss the situation and behave rationally."

Instead, Woods has landed in a Mississippi sex-addiction clinic, and this week could make or break the marriage.

"This is the rough part where the patient has to admit to his wife that he [cheated]," a former patient told People.

Woods checked himself into the clinic earlier this month under orders from his management team and his wife.

"He didn't want to go to rehab," a source told Us Weekly.

Since then, Woods has discovered the biggest challenge is not the "celibacy contract," which bans all sexual contact while in treatment. It's not being allowed to play golf.

"He's used to going in this robot mode of hitting a ball over and over as a way to escape," a source told Us. "He can't do that now."

While Woods is in therapy, Nordegren has reportedly been hanging at the crib of another high-profile athlete who is also down in the dumps - Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.

Favre, who has a 460-acre spread in Hattiesburg, Miss., blew his team's chance of getting to the Super Bowl on Sunday by tossing a last-minute interception. That led to a dramatic overtime victory by the New Orleans Saints.


Sources: NBC Sports, MSNBC, NY Daily News