Tiger tells US Tour officials early: He will play at Sawgrass

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By OLIVER BROWN
Tiger Woods signalled an enhanced respect for his sport on Wednesday when he gave US PGA Tour officials early notice of his intention to compete in the Players Championship at Sawgrass, Florida, in three weeks.
It looks increasingly likely that Woods will adhere to a relatively normal schedule on his return from his sex scandal, despite a looming divorce battle with wife Elin Nordegren.
It also appears that Woods and his management recognise that tournaments need more than just a few days to handle the heightened demand for tickets and security that attends his appearances.
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The world No 1's decision to contest the 'Players' is scant surprise, given the favours he owes Tim Finchem, the tour commissioner and event's host, for tolerating his self-imposed five-month absence and for the use of the Sawgrass clubhouse in February to stage a televised apology.
But his advance warning on Wednesday was most un-Woods-like, and marked the third time in as many events that he had shown such humility.
He acted similarly in committing to the Masters and to next week's Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina; it used to be that he would wait until the tour's deadline of 5pm on the preceding Friday before deigning to let organisers know.
Woods has won the unofficial 'fifth major' only once, in 2001. Should he follow his normal routine, he will play only one other event, Jack Nicklaus's Memorial tournament in Ohio, and then take a week off before the US Open at Pebble Beach in June.
Woods has also confirmed his participation in the AT&T National, which benefits his foundation, in early July.