Golf
Reactions to Tiger's return
2010-03-16 20:02
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Palm Harbour - World No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods, who withdrew from the game late last year after a damaging adultery scandal, announced on Tuesday he will make his comeback to professional golf at the US Masters in early April.
Below are some of the reactions:
Billy Payne, chairperson of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, said in a statement:
"We support Tiger's decision to return to competitive golf beginning at this year's Masters Tournament. Additionally, we support and encourage his stated commitment to continue the significant work required to rebuild his personal and professional life."
Nike, a global sportswear manufacturer endorsed by Woods, said:
"We look forward to Tiger's return to the Masters and seeing him back on the course."
Electronic Arts, which makes the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR video game, said in a statement:
"We're looking forward to seeing Tiger back on the golf course. All eyes will be on Augusta in a few weeks."
Gillette, a consumer products company that also works with Woods, said:
"Like many sports fans around the world, we're looking forward to seeing Tiger back on the course."
PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement:
"We were pleased to learn that Tiger Woods will be playing the Masters in a few weeks. 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."
David Carter, head of the Sports Institute at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business, told Reuters the pressure is on Woods to play well or sponsors will say "not only is this guy risky from a marketing perspective but he's not achieving the same level of success."
"He certainly has picked a really manageable tournament to re-emerge in and I think if he plays well and is able to align with the pageantry of the Masters it's a step in the right direction."
"Unless he wins, he's not going to return to the high level of media exposure he's accustomed to and that's something sponsors will have to take a good look at."