Tiger Woods Redemption Tour 2010. First Stop? The Masters

By Jo Piazza Posted Mar 21st 2010 09:00AM

George Bush's old spin-master, former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, has a new client for his media consultancy firm -- some little known fella named Tiger Woods. And Tiger's mission, should he choose to accept it, is sticking to Ari's script. But given the heat in his marital and professional kitchens, you can bet Woods is going to do exactly what Ari says if he wants to get back on top (in all aspects of his life).

Tiger's announcement that he will be returning to golf next month at the Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, contained the facts and just the facts. But given how much flab there can be in these celebrity press announcements, we decided to trim the fat and give it to you nice and lean.

• Tiger wants to make his comeback at the Masters.
• Therapy has been going well, thank you very much.
• Personal development is a process.
• Sorry Arnold Palmer for not coming to your tournament. But don't worry Arnie, it's nothing personal.
• And thanks Masters' organizers for the warm welcome.

No, no Tiger. Thank you. The brass at the Masters and PGA were excited about Tiger's impending return to the jungle that is professional golf.

"We were pleased to learn that Tiger Woods will be playing the Masters in a few weeks," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement. "He has invested a lot of time taking steps, both in his personal and professional life, in order to prepare for his return. We all wish him and his family the best as he rejoins the Tour."

"We support Tiger's decision to return to competitive golf beginning at this year's Masters Tournament," Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National and the tournament, said in a statement. "Additionally, we support and encourage his stated commitment to continue the significant work required to rebuild his personal and professional life."

Public relations specialists are united in what they believe is the best strategy for Woods. "Short is sweet for Tiger. No matter how much the public and the media want him to talk about his personal life, he should shut up," says marketing guru Chris Lochhead of Lochhead Inc. "No Oprah, no Larry King. The best thing Tiger can do is win at golf and shut up," he added. Did he say shut up?

Tiger's previous 14-minute-long mea culpa explained his indiscretions. No one needs to know any more. Sponsors want to know that Tiger's return is going to be about nothing except golf, golf and more golf. Did I say golf? This can't be the Tiger Woods Redemption Tour of 2010. It can be about one thing and one thing only, getting his golf on.

"I'm a firm believer in not over-explaining and getting right to the point," says PR expert Rebecca Brooks, President of The Brooks Group. "I think once you give too much information there is room for misinterpretation."

As the event nears, Tiger's best strategy is to deal with the media through impersonal statements and let his talent on the greens do all the talking. Only after he makes a professional comeback will he be able to get his personal redemption.

"All Tiger has to do now is make the cut at the Masters and most people will forgive and forget about all the women he had sex with," says Deadspin.com editor-in-chief A.J. Daulerio." Well, maybe not the awful Perkins waitress." And perhaps wife Elin may not be quite ready to forget...

The 2010 Masters will be the 74th tournament in its illustrious history. It will be played April 5 - 11 and broadcast on ESPN and CBS.

Tags: tiger woods

Comments

(63)

Monday 22 March

By Tamra

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I found Tiger's interview on Sunday, March 21 to be much better in terms of him allowing questions and answering them. His eyes look pained and although I have never been a huge fan of golf, I think we all need to stop looking at "ANYONE" as more than just a human being who makes mistakes. I believed him when he said that he does love his wife and he got swept up like most of us would if given all the resources he has and not keeping in line with our belief systems.

Thursday 25 March

By velva barnes

people who talk about others negatively usually have something
to hide themselves. i don't condone his adultry, let's call
it what it is, but most of all he has a soul. he needs to find
the true god and father of the lord jesus christ to find any
peace. he is the only one who raised from the dead for us.
i am praying for him, and hope he finds peace and joy in his
life and give up sin.

By jade

Tiger is a "man" in need of a good shrink. And a good over all,head to toe exam. No telling what he is walking around with. Hope Elin will be careful.Sure hope the dear lady will just walk away from this mess.

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