Spotlight on Woods

I know a lot of us are tiring of all the Tiger talk, but there's more to come.

On Monday, April 5 at 2 P.M., Woods will have his special day at Augusta National. Why? His very own press conference. Makes me wonder if this was hastily put together due to Arnold Palmer recently saying that Woods needs to be a bit more open with the press. Some viewed Arnie's comments as bitter since Tiger would not be playing this week at Bay Hill.

Will we all be totally captivated by this presser? Will we all hinge on every word uttered from Tiger? Will we all wonder exactly what questions the media will ask? The answer, unfortunately to all, is yes. Shouldn't be that way, though.

Look at this situation closely. What do you really see?

I see this:

The NCAA Championship game is that evening. Not a big deal, but it deserves mentioning due to the fact that CBS will also be covering The Masters. You know that every time during the game a promo for the tourney is aired, his "comeback" will be part of that promo. And who's the anchor covering both? Jim Nantz. Nothing against Nantz here. Just merely an observation.

Also, it's the first full day of the MLB baseball season. Funny how most games start somewhere between 1 P.M. and 2 P.M. that day. What time is Tiger's "parade"? That's right. 2 P.M.

All the other player's press conferences will be held on Tuesday.  Those will be short since it will be compacted. Add this. The press will have an entire day to digest what Tiger said the previous day and every player will field numerous Woods questions...if Augusta will allow that. Nice move by all involved to put the other players behind Tiger. They should be used to it. All that is important is to keep Tiger front and center. It's a eerie feeling that the PGA feels compelled to thrust Woods into the spotlight. It's almost a form of thievery.

I do understand that Tiger is the sport's biggest draw. I also understand that all of this is totally unnecessary. Put Tiger last. Allow the other player's to field questions pertaining to only their game. Does he actually need his own day for a press conference? A big no from me.

Have you ever wondered why Tiger said a few weeks ago in his "statement" that he felt entitled? Wouldn't you? Golf is expressing this very notion. We're being told that "Golf needs Tiger more than Tiger needs golf". It's that simple. Is Tiger bigger than the game? It's evident that many feel he is.

One last question. Who knew that Jim Furyk won last week for the first time since the Canadian Open in 2007? Not many at first. It was more important to air Tiger's little five minute interviews.

Poo on all of them, Arnie. Same goes for you, Ernie Els and Jim Furyk, too. You have all the right in the world to feel slighted (if you really do) and if others can't see that, it's their loss.

This is merely another display of how the world of golf continues to openly pander to Tiger and that will never change.