Word on the street (and by "street" of course I mean the information superhighway) is that Tiger Woods announced today he will be making his golf comeback from image sex rehab early next month at The Masters.
"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 a while since I last played," Woods
said in a Associated Press report.
In other news, executives for ESPN and CBS, the broadcasters at Augusta, have spent the rest of today jumping around and wildly high-fiving. To be sure, this will most likely break any previous TV ratings record golf ever had, and will probably be the first time Augusta has received a media access request from TMZ. But, as the Canadian Press points out, this tourney makes sense for the four-time champ to make his return to the spolight because "media credentials are limited regardless of who's
playing or what's in the news, and Augusta National has more control of
its tickets than any other golf tournament."
Critics point to the fact Woods really hasn't missed any tournaments that he hasn't skipped before, that missing the Masters would REALLY show he was sorry. Still, seeing as most of his sponsors have jumped off the S.S. Tiger like rats from the Titanic, perhaps this is the first time in eons that Woods is actually playing for the money. Either way, can't wait to see some of the spectator signs held up in the crowd...
From the Sunset Room on the second floor of the TPC Sawgrass, home of
the PGA Tour, the most famous golfer in the world spoke today about his absence from the game, his various transgressions and where things go from here.
It was was a somber affair (heyooh!), with Woods speaking in front of a small, stone-faced audience of family, friends and a smattering of press. The Golf Writers Association of America has boycotted the press conference, due to limitations on the number of writers allowed to attend. Not that it mattered, seeing as everyone and their mother was streaming online what the New York Times' David Carr called "press conference penitent spoken-word performance."
In his statement, during which Woods' mom could be seen sitting with her arms crossed and exhibiting the universal "Disappointed Mom" face, Woods repeatedly apologized for his actions and asked for forgiveness and understanding from his friends, family and fans.
"I have a lot to atone for."
He choked up a bit when talking about the effect this circus has had on his wife, and took a few minutes to admonish the media for following around his kids and other family members.
In the end, Woods said he's heading back to therapy and does plan to return to golf, maybe even this year, but wouldn't elaborate. He then stepped away from the podium and hugged his mother.
Jason Spezza has go-ahead goal as Ottawa Senators defeat Flames 3-2 - After a franchise
best 11-game winning streak was snapped by the Toronto Maple Leafs on
Saturday night, the Ottawa Senators started a new one on Tuesday. Nice to see they took a break from their franchise best winning streak to give Leafs fans some hope.
Cypress courses lush with snow, but muddy on the fringes - A quick glance at
the courses on Cypress Mountain reveals the white lushness of a
primed-and-ready Olympic freestyle and snowboard run. I'm sure Olympic organizers are breathing quite the sigh of relief.
Edmonton awarded a North American Soccer League franchise for 2011 - FC Edmonton will begin play in the 2011 season. The NASL will kick off
with nine teams in 2010, including the Montreal Impact and Vancouver
Whitecaps. Nice to see soccer gathering so much steam in Canada.
Ovechkin gets hat trick; Capitals win 14th in row, beat Penguins 5-4 in OT -Three goals from
Alex Ovechkin. Two feet of snow on the ground. One big comeback against
a detested rival, with punches and name-calling added for good measure. It is turning into a phenomenal rivalry - every time these two play there are fireworks all game lone.
Champions Tour Gives It Another Shot in Montreal - It has been eight years since the golf circuit for old guys – then called the Senior Tour, now referred to as the Champions – has been part of the Canadian landscape. Nice to see more professional golf in Canada. Now if only they could change the date of the RBC Canadian open...
Women's hockey team among first wave of Canadians to arrive for 2010 Olympics - With the
anticipation building on their flight from Calgary, members of the
Canadian women's hockey team got their first glimpse of a 2010 Olympic
venue from the air on Sunday night.Obligatory Olympic post. I have to say I'm a bit reluctant today given CTV's bombardment of their promos last night.
Alfredsson, Spezza scored 2 each, Sens top Sabres for 10th straight win - Daniel Alfredsson scored twice in the final minute - including an
empty-netter - and the Senators extended a franchise-best winning
streak to 10 with a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday
night. I'd call this past 10 games by the Sens a rather remarkable bounce-back. Here's hoping the keep up the stellar play.
Leafs D Komisarek out for season, will miss out on Vancouver Olympics - Toronto Maple Leafs
defenceman Mike Komisarek will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery,
ending his plans to represent the United States at the Vancouver
Olympics. Team USA looses two big D-men in the same week - that's gotta hurt. Oh yeah - and it is good news for the Leafs - they'll have to kill less penalties.
Bosh, Bargnani score 20 each, lead Raptors to 108-99 win over Nets - Jarrett Jack woke up on Wednesday feeling so ill he thought he would not be able to play against the New Jersey Nets that night. It would be pretty embarrassing to lose to the 4-win-Nets now wouldn't it - but with the Raptors, you never really know...
Mickelson won't use wedge, accepts apology from McCarron -Phil Mickelson won't
be using the Ping Eye2 wedge that led a fellow player to accuse him of
"cheating," even though he hopes others will use the controversial club
to keep attention on what he calls a ridiculous rule.Phil said that he made his point and hopes other continue to make theirs (about the loophole and ridiculous rule-making process in place at the PGA / USGA).
Only two weeks remain until world's best hockey players land in Vancouver - As hard as it might be to believe, the Olympic men's hockey tournament
is practically here. And there have been a few encouraging signs of
late for those rooting on Team Canada in Vancouver. I still can't imagine the pressure that is going to be held over the heads of Team Canada.
Fans can touch Lucky Loonie for good luck ahead of Vancouver Olympics - Canadians have a chance this month to bring the national Olympic hockey teams a touch of good luck for the Vancouver Games. Also - don't forget your hand sanitizer. I can see it now 'H1N1 outbreak at Hockey Hall of Fame'...
Rory McIlroy calls on golf to reconsider rule change on club head grooves - Rory McIlroy has
called upon the world's golf authorities to reconsider their
controversial new regulations on the shape of grooves in the heads of
golf clubs. Not surprising since Rory probably never played with the old grooves. That would change his whole game.
Devils defenceman Paul Martin will miss Olympics with arm injury - New Jersey Devils defenceman Paul Martin will not play for the United
States in the Vancouver Olympics because of a slow-healing broken left
forearm. The D is team USA's only weak-point. I am quite certain they will be frequenting the penalty box.
Brian Burke remakes roster with trades with Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks - The Toronto Maple
Leafs sacrificed offence for work ethic Sunday - and GM Brian Burke is
hoping the two big-name players he acquired will rub off on their new
teammates. I like the trades, got rid of a few bags of hurt - but do the Leafs have enough players to run a full 4 lines right now?
Colbert: 'Canada's being very un-Canadian - this time, they want to win' - With his trip north
of the border fast approaching, Stephen Colbert was still poking fun at
Canada after winning his first Grammy Award on Sunday. I'd love to say that I'm getting sick of Colber's Canada jokes. But that would be a lie.
Crane holds on down stretch at Torrey Pines for third career victory - Ben Crane put his name back in the news for the best reason of all. He won another golf tournament. Funny story - I thought I had missed the end of the tourney (supposed to have ended at 6pm) but turns out that Crane is such a freaking SLOW player that I was able to watch 45 minutes of practice swings as he finished out the last 3 holes.
Hunter Green, son of injured pro-golfer Ken Green, found dead in dorm room - It's the second family tragedy in eight months for Ken Green, who
won five PGA Tour events between 1985-89 and played on the 1989 Ryder
Cup team. This has been a terrible year for Green. He was in a car accident that cost him his girlfriend, brother, dog and his leg. Gotta hope some good news is coming his way soon.
With goalies Theodore, Varlamov injured, Capitals recall Holtby from AHL - The Washington
Capitals have recalled Braden Holtby from Hershey of the AHL and he
will be available for Wednesday night's game against the Anaheim Ducks. What? Ovechkin can't play goal? I thought that guy was some sort of superstar?
Team USA members Brown, Quick and Johnson shine as Kings defeat Maple Leafs - If their
performance in Toronto is any indication, several of Team USA's young
stars have no trouble performing on the big stage at Vancouver 2010. To be fair, I'm quite certain Latvia could beat the this Leafs team on any given night.
China the favourite heading into women's Olympic curling; Canada in the mix - Of the countless items produced in China every year, Olympic-calibre
curlers generally aren't thought to be among them. So should we be checking to see if these Curlers are legal age? Made of lead? Are taking performance enhancing melamine? Or are they just really hard working?
Patrice Cormier suspended for remainder of season - Punishment has finally been handed down to Rouyn-Noranda Huskies's Patrice Cormier for his elbow on Quebec Remparts defenceman Mikael Tam. Took long enough - but is the punishment fitting?
Golfer Thorpe sentenced to one-year prison term for failing to pay income taxes - Champions Tour
player Jim Thorpe has been sentenced to a year in prison for failing to
pay more than US$2 million in income taxes. I always wondered how people figure they can scam on that much money? Doesn't the IRS notice things like $2 million dollars in income?
Mercedes presents Michael Schumacher and new livery as it launches bid for title - Michael Schumacher
is gearing up to fight for a record eighth Formula One title with
Mercedes, saying Monday "we have a world champion team" as the car's
new livery was presented. Schumacher fans everywhere are scrambling to burn their Ferrari hats...
Aboriginal-themed skating routine by Russian pair offends indigenous Australians - An
Aboriginal-themed routine by two Russian ice dancers has stirred up a
pre-Olympic controversy, with some indigenous Australians blasting the
"rip off" of their culture and Canadian native leaders worrying about
the insensitivity of the skaters. At least Vancouver and surrounding area have very little Native influence... uhhhh, I bet Russians place last.
Snowboarders and freestylers not concerned about lack of snow at Cypress Mountain - While a lack of snow at the Olympic venue for freestyle skiing and
snowboarding has forced Games organizers to roll out a contingency
plan, some Canadian athletes who will compete there next month don't
seem concerned about the mild weather. If it REALLY gets bad, they can always change snowboarding to wake boarding and freestyle to rollerblading down a huge hill. Right?
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says lots of time to decide future Olympics - No decision is
coming any time soon on the future participation of NHL players in the
Olympic hockey tournament, but the issue will require extensive
discussions between the league and the NHL Players' Association,
according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. I bet this deal gets done. Ovechkin has already said that he'll be playing in the 2014 winter games.
Weir, Ames sport RBC logos on tour bags as bank extends golf presence - RBC has decided to
put an even bigger stamp on Canadian golf - signing deals to get its
logo on the tour bags of Mike Weir and Stephen Ames while also
announcing initiatives to start helping less-established players. Nice move by RBC to do its best to grow the game of golf in Canada. Now if only they could do something about our shortened season. Maybe RBC would like to invest in my weather machine. So far it only makes hail - but I'm working on it.
Hollingsworth wins World Cup skeleton title - Canada's Mellisa Hollingsworth is the overall World Cup champion for the 2009-10 FIBT skeleton season. This is fantastic for Hollingsworth. Bodes very well for gold medal chances in a month.
