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Abu Dhabi - Geoff Ogilvy, considered one of the deepest thinkers in professional golf, feels sex scandal-tainted world No1 Tiger Woods should come clean on a public forum before making his much-anticipated return to the game.
The 32-year-old Aussie world No10, who successfully defended his title in the season-opening tournament on the US PGA Tour, is making his debut at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and spoke to the media on the eve of the championship.
Unlike several players who have preferred to be silent on the matter, Ogilvy - winner of the 2006 US Open - spoke at length on the issue without being critical, or judgemental, about the American superstar.
Ogilvy said the best tournament for Woods to make his return would be the Masters and advised a public appearance before in order to make life easier for his fellow players.
"I think the least amount of circus he could face would be if he went to Augusta first.
"That would be the most controlled environment he could be in. But if he truly wants to win the Masters, he's going to want to play before then.
"I think he should actually come out in public before, not at a golf tournament.
"I think he should come out away from the golf course, one, out of respect for all of the other players, and two, to diffuse the circus part of it at least before he actually gets to the golf tournament.
"I don't believe a lot of tournaments want all the tabloid media floating around.
"It would be nice if he came out away from a tournament, and when he came out to a golf tournament, it would still be crazy, but that tabloid edge might be gone."
Ogilvy said that he believed the scandal surrounding Woods would make his rivals feel less intimidated by him on the course.
"Perhaps. Maybe guys will be slightly less intimidated, it's hard to know.
"The first few weeks will be interesting, if he goes out and wins the first or second week again, he's going to gain that whole aura back again. He developed it not through the way he behaves really, but because he wins six times a year."
But one thing is for sure, Ogilvy added, everyone wants him back.
"Everyone wants him back," said Ogilvy.
"I mean, everyone. Golf tournaments are more enjoyable when he's there. It's not a hollow victory when you win in his absence, but it's a lot better when you win when he is there."
And when asked what question he would like to ask him most, Ogilvy said:
"I'm just amazed, how do you manage this? How did nobody know? Tiger Woods is quite recognisable."
