Hope this is true... (RE: Tiger's return)

http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2011/07/truth-rumors-uk-paper-says-tiger-expected-to-return-at-bridgestone.html

Tiger returns.....with Jerry Chang on his bag (out of my arse guess)....All the eyes of the world will be looking closely...

Could you imagine if Tiger wins the PGA......

and apparently darren clarke was almost broke... much as i like darren, i have a severe lack of sympathy for pro athletes with money problems.

i wonder if tiger is annoyed with sean foley yet? lord knows i would be, with all his "philosophizing" about nonsense. i for one, would like to see charles barkley on the bag. chuck could use the workout.

Not to sure how Darren Clarke made his way into this thread but......

"IF" Tiger does return for this event I hope he plays well no matter who is toting his clubs.

If he does come back, its going to be interesting to see what he decides to do for the rest of the season. He's currently 133rd in the Fedex standings, so its likely he'll miss at least the last couple Fedex events, and quite possible he'll miss the entire playoffs. Then what? Try and grab some appearance money in Europe and/or Asia? Play the fall finish?

I have a severe lack of respect or anything for that matter for people who don't realize the the world is in a severe economic recession ...!!  Darren had a lot of his money invested into development and property this side of the pond and some F***ing wankbag white collar dicks in the US were trading sub prime waiting for the inevitable bubble to burst and run. Hence Darren broke, golf courses closing, hence unemployment rife and all my golfing buddys emigrating. Sorry for the rant I appreciate you did not mean it like I took it up but the whole world has money problems not just Darren..!

Tiger is coming back!  Wow! Is this a great country or what?  The TV ratings will go up.  advertisement income will go up.  prices of Nike stuff will go up.  Networks will make more money.  No more soap operas, we can watch drama  right on the golf channel.  Oh the first pumps and expanded faces, just like Hogan and Hagen used to do.  actually that is a great name for a company or a bottled spirit; Hagen and Hogen for your pleasure.  We'll be able  to see the rich country club boys gagging when Tiger puts on the pressure.  I just can't wait. And just think about the income possibilities for the hookers and faders.

The linked article is basically just a blurb of current rumors.  The second rumor halfway down the page was the Darren Clarke one.

Brandon

I was going to say it wasn't like Darren just threw his money away like some athletes. He had investments that took a big hit with the economy unfortunately the down economy can reach anybody no matter their financial situation. Another thing to note is golfers aren't like MLB, NBA, or NFL in the fact that they get set salaries for the year. Now those guys blow my mind when they run out of money because they know how much they will be making every year.

I personally could care less if Tiger ever returns or not..  I truly hope he just goes bye bye.. Being a true fan of the game of golf, it's NOT healthy for the sport to ONLY focus on one media pet..  I would like to see more "golf" promotion on the TV, and less "Tiger" promotion.. All that does is say, when Tiger isn't there don't bother.. BAD BAD for the sport

So you do care somewhat!  The media focusus on Tiger because he is the greatest player of this generation. Nobody else really stands out. Tiger has brought the PGA tour to the level it was at before his scandal. Without that superstar we are looking at the loss of ratings.

Naa not really.. I only care about the game and the direction it's heading.. Last 5 years have been terrible for golf courses in America.. Less rounds played per year, more closings then ever.. The baby boomers are fading off into the sunset, and the next gen is not taking over.. YES, the pga tour pros are making more money then ever, but that doesn't equate to better amateur golf..   One of my local courses has a couples night on Fridays.. Couple can play nine holes with cart for the price of 1 player :)  My wife and I try to do a 9 and dine every Friday.. The course is normally quite busy.. They have even allowed a parent and child to take advantage of the couple special as well.. It's good to see a kid out there with a parent..

We need more of this.. I wish the media, especially Golf Channel spend more energy into promoting the sport, and less of the players.. Facts are that viewership of pga events has increase but it hasn't moved over to increase playing.. Meaning, there are a lot of Tiger fans, but those fans are not picking up the game and playing..  Sorry, didn't mean to rant

I hope this is a real comeback i.e. a comeback where he plays well and contends.

Not a comeback where he finishes +18 like last year and requires a lot of more work to do

The reason golf industry is hurting is pretty simple.    With the economic downturn, the rank and file don't have the disposable income they used to.      Sure, you'll always have the country club types, but golf simply costs too much for the non-avid player to pursue.      I always hunt for online tee time deals - there aren't enough "deals" to be found out there ... if courses really wanted to get more people involved, they should offer half price mid day rates, just to fill the carts.     Granted, golf will always be an expensive sport no matter how you slice it, but seems to me, the courses aren't trying very hard to get golfers out there...

I hope he returns, no doubt he brings attention to the game.  But I don't think he will be the media pet anymore, he has recieved a lot of negative press beginning with the car crash up to and including his firing of Steve Williams.  Also, the Nike ads over the last several months have not included Tiger, he has a lot of work before he will be the media darling he once was.  They are saying he doesn't scare the young golfers like he did his peers, well I don't think he will scare the media either and you will see a different level of reporting when it comes to Tiger.