The calculatedness of Tiger Woods is amazing.
He knows just how many tournaments to play in in order to maximize his effectiveness for the majors.
He also know what tournaments require his presence, for contractual reasons or for maximum public relations.
He wouldn't DREAM of missing Nicklaus's Memorial, or Palmer's Bay Hill Classic. That would cost him the support of the game's biggest names (next to his own, of course).
And he knows how to make a return to professional golf from a scandalized absence.
He debuts in the Masters.
The Masters is the world's most uptight, rigid, protocol-ruled tournament. Gary McCord continues to be banned from broadcasting it because of that bikini wax remark about the greens. That was back in 1995! Fifteen years and counting for making a remark that the Powers-That-Be deemed inappropriate.
The fans know they are under watch, too. Booing, jeering, and basically doing anything but politely applauding can result in losing tickets that took many, many years to obtain.
Ergo, Mr. Woods chooses the hallowed halls of Augusta to make his return. No chance of anything but polite appreciation there. No signs, no banners, no "Tiger slept with me" t-shirts. Just the adoring praise of the announcers, the fans, er, PATRONS, sorry, Hootie, and the chance to spend a quiet week getting back into golf.
Once it's over, look for an extended break. The next tournament will be equally chosen in a calculated manner.
DISCLAIMER: I've been a Tiger fan since he destroyed the amateur golf world. The folks at The Masters have earned the right to be buttheads about their tournament. It truly is the greatest in professional golf. The four minutes of commercials per hour is wonderful. However, I'm not a fan of spin doctoring. And Tiger Woods is about to demonstrate the most coolly calculated painless return to public life that you've ever seen.
