Tiger Makes The Right Choice

Looks like Tiger Woods is finally getting some sound PR counsel. His recent press conference, although somewhat transparent to PR pros, was the right first step toward controlling the PR mess he has himself in and trying to refocus media attention on his game.

No matter when Tiger returns to competition, the media will go into another frenzy and everything from the tabloids to top sports writers will ring in. But, in terms of crowd control — which could have gotten very ugly in his first tournament outing — he could not have picked a better venue than The Masters. The event is known for having the most polite (read: controlled) crowds in golf. Many of the normal crowd that follows Tiger are sports fans used to getting rowdy during the heat of competition. But, any fan who's rowdy at Augusta National is politely escorted from the grounds and asked never to return.

The Masters is a precise operation. To get onto the grounds, you pass through security gates and are scanned like at an airport. In fact, those lines move so smoothly that airports could learn a thing or two from Augusta. Food lines move briskly and the multiple souvenir shop lines (which are long and tightly controlled) move with military precision so that you get in, buy and get out within minutes.

The Masters gives Tiger the best chance of a heckle-free return to competition. And, if he wins the event, he will have made a strong first step toward moving much of the discussion away from his personal affairs and toward the return of a great player to the game.

For Tiger, The Masters is the right choice.