Tiger to return at Augusta, but will his Jacket be Green in 2010?

Golfers across the world will be rejoicing in their respective 19th holes today with the news that Tiger Woods is due to return to competitive golf at the US Masters. Tiger’s rights and wrongs have been strewn across the tabloids in recent months following his indiscretions and as perhaps Sport’s most famous figure the press have had a field day. Having made his decision to return at Augusta National, the course dubbed the Cathedral in the Pines, is all the more wise given the exclusive nature of the event. As sport’s golden ticket, crowds are limited and given the heightened security attached to the event, Tiger is likely to be in as controlled environment as possible for his return.

The question on everyone’s lips will however be, can Tiger still do it? He hasn’t played a competitive round of golf since his victory in the JBWere Masters on 15th November 2009, surely even the great Tiger Woods will be a little ring-rusty after this sabbatical. Personally, I feel and hope that Tiger’s will to win will be stronger than ever. In some way he perhaps needs to show that the success bought to him on the golf course which contributed to his personal failings off it, are solely for the benefit of personal achievement and adulation by his family who appear to be standing by him in this difficult time.

Hopefully a wire to wire victory at Augusta National will put Tiger into an even higher echelon of sporting achievement. He however must also consider that a less than world-beating Tiger may tarnish his unblemished on the course reputation which at this current juncture is his only solace. One would hope that he performs to the level we have been accustomed to and as a result those who have been quick to cast judgement on his off-the-course activities will let him repair his family life in peace, and complete the 2010 Grand Slam as well?!