By kickntrue on 2/18/10

Everyone is talking about Tiger's press conference tomorrow. Why the timing? Why at the PGA? What will he say? Of course nobody knows any of these answers, but more than a couple people have an opinion.

Here's a couple of them.

Ernie Els (via ESPN.com:

The timing of Tiger Woods' first appearance since his car accident and subsequent admission of marital infidelity -- on Friday in Florida, while the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is in full swing in Arizona -- does not impress one of the game's best-known players.

"It's selfish," former U.S. Open and British Open champion Ernie Els told Golfweek magazine. "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."

Michael Bamberger, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated:

Tiger Woods is a world-class control freak, and in his re-entry into public life — which has showered him with wealth and opportunities and trappings that we can only imagine — he is picking up right where he left off. He controls all. He's the same way with his golf ball. He tells it exactly what he wants it to do.

...

Arnold Palmer played for his fans, but Woods never has, and nothing's likely to change. It's arrogant and offputting, the whole idea of this most public of people, one of the best known faces in the world, stepping back into public life without taking so much as a question.

It's also brilliant. He's reminding us, and his opponents, too: he's still in charge.

There are many others, but I'll leave you with a lighter source. One UK Sports Book has betting lines on the first phrases out of Tiger's mouth. Leading the way at 7/2 is "Regret the hurt I've caused," and at 5/1 "Thanks my family." The whole list is worth checking out for a good laugh (200/1 - "I've been a silly billy with my willy") but my two favorites for a value bet would have to be "I love Elin" the whole way at 33/1 or "Time for a change," at 20/1.

Els Rips Tiger
Bamberger
Tiger Betting Lines
Via Deadspin.com


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