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Jolly good: Brits applaud Tiger's return to golf

| 1 Comment | UPDATED STORY
Tribune News Services

LONDON -- The Royal & Ancient is glad that Tiger Woods will make his return to golf at the Masters, and the governing body of the sport outside the United States hopes he'll play at the British Open in July.

"We're pleased to hear that Tiger is to return to golf," R&A spokesman Malcolm Booth said Tuesday. "Golf needs the world No. 1 to be playing."

Woods has not yet entered to play at the British Open at St. Andrews, but has until May 27 to send in his entry form. Booth said it's "normal that he hasn't" entered yet.
"Typically, we would receive entries within a few weeks of that deadline," Booth said, noting that several players from the "exempt field" of former champions have already sent in their forms.

Woods has not competed since he crashed his car into a tree outside his Florida home, setting off shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife.

Although his image has been hurt by the scandal, he is still favored to win the Masters by British bookmakers William Hill at 4-1. Phil Mickelson is second at 6-1 and Padraig Harrington is third at 16-1.

Hill also lists Woods as 1-20 that he will make the cut at Augusta National.

"All the major courses are Tiger's favorites, so despite a terrible beginning we think that 2010 will end up being terrific for Tiger," William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said in a statement.

The Masters begins on April 8.

Woods has won 14 majors, including four Masters titles and three British Opens -- two of them at St. Andrews, Scotland. The British Open will be played from July 15-18.

"We'd always want the world No. 1 to return to the Open Championship," Booth said. "He could be the first to win three times at St. Andrews, and it would be back-to-back. No one's ever won three at St. Andrews."

1 Comments

yes, jolly good.

as a brit i can say it's absolutely splendid.

bravo. hip hip hooray.

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