The fact Tiger Woods has been able to keep the lowest of profiles over the past two months is nothing short of a feat. Headlines around the world have carried every detail of the golfer's lost endorsements, salacious texts to girlfriends and an apparent blowout with his very angry wife.
Now, the world's best golfer is going to break his silence with an apology, intended to start making amends with his fans. Will he be able to win them back - along with his sponsors? Or is it too little, too late?
Globe Life columnist Sarah Hampson and Globe Sports' Jeff Brooke were online earlier to discuss Tiger Woods's apology.
Ms. Hampson has previously written about the athlete's very public private woes, while Mr. Brooke has written extensively on golf for The Globe and has covered major tournaments including the Masters and the Canadian Open.
If you missed our liveblog, log in and share your thoughts using our Comments function. Has the public apology changed your view of Tiger Woods? Do you think he can rehabilitate his family-man image?
Liveblog transcript:
Rasha Mourtada:
Hello everyone. Globe Life columnist Sarah Hampson and Globe Sports' Jeff Brooke will be joining us soon to talk about Tiger Woods's latest move. Submit your comments/questions any time.
[Comment From HossyHossy: ]
Will Tiger be taking any questions or just reading a statement?
[Comment From Andy Andy : ]
I personally hope he doesn't return to the pro circuit as he will be an even bigger distraction than he previously was. Granted his participation has driven up the purses and overall popularity of the game but his conduct on the course is dispicable and if the general public was allowed to see his antics there would be outright condemnation of his attitude.
[Comment From JennyL JennyL : ]
I don't have much sympathy to Tiger - but I'm really interested to see if he will sucker me in to feeling for him.
[Comment From James James : ]
He needs to return to the pro circuit! Golf will not be the same without him..
Sarah Hampson:
Tiger won't be taking any questions from the media during this announcement. So it's all highly orchestrated. Rehabilitation of image effort for sure. But the big question is whether his wife, Elin, will be anywhere present at the announcement. Her presence would be golden, of course - for him, at least. Especially since he is expected to make an apology to his fans not only, but also to his wife and family. So, will she pull a Silda ?- as in Silda Spitzer, who famously stood by her husband, Eliot Spitzer, former Governor of New York, when he admitted to having sexual relations with escorts.
[Comment From Shaun Shaun : ]
Tiger is clearly following strict public relations restrictions to save his brand. This date was most likely set the day after his infidelities came out. It will be fun to see marketing at it's finest.
[Comment From Katherine Katherine : ]
I agree with James, the game needs him and I find it boring to watch without Tiger in the fray.
[Comment From John John : ]
Of course he's going to return to gold... he is the best golfer the world has seen in a long time.
[Comment From Marc Marc : ]
It will be so cool to see him back. Poor guy! The relentless snickering about his sex life is bound to affect his steel trap concentration!
[Comment From Sharon Sharon : ]
