I was out all day and did not get to read Eamon Lynch and Coleman McDowell's golf.com exclusive suggesting Tiger Woods is likely to tee up at the Waste Management Phoenix Open later this month.

But I was surprised to see what amounted to their clues for going forward with the story (courtesy car reservation, hotel reseration), including which establishment Tiger would stay at.

Call me crazy, but I'm thinking the name of the hotel wasn't necessary and the revelation could even discourage a Woods appearance.

Update on 2015-01-08 18:38 by Geoff

**Notah Begay explains why Tiger is likely to play at the WM, reports Emily Kay:

"It would add an element of fun," said Begay, who noted that the last year was anything but that for Woods.

"Dealing with injury, and all the scrutiny, and the poor play really have taken a toll," he said about Woods’ bad back that required surgery, forced a lengthy hiatus, and contributed to the former world No. 1’s worst season as a professional.

Begay would recommend the Phoenix event to his friend, who would enjoy the "super-friendly," if "boisterous" fans. "It’s a fun place to play and it’s a place where Tiger could really thrive and figure out where his mechanics are."

The WMPO makes sense from a golf perspective as well, what with the "minimal wind [and] wonderful practice facilities," added Begay, who, purposefully or with a slip of the tongue, made it sound as if Woods’ appearance were a fait accompli.

"He’s going to be able to get some wonderful work in as far as his mechanics and get some game reps, which is all the more important," he said.

January 07, 2015

Samuel The "Tiger Woods You Suck" Yelling Prodigy

January 07, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Thanks to reader Tim for Matt Stewart's story on Samuel Wood, a 4-year-old "pint-sized golf prodigy" who sports a stellar swing and an unusual habit for a wee-lad.

It seems Samuel has picked up on something he once saw his hero Tiger Woods do.

Sometimes when the Plimmerton pre-schooler with the demon swing miscues a shot he's been known to yell "Tiger Woods you suck!" after seeing the 14-time major winner mouth the phrase on TV.

Samuel's coach Dean Kingsbeer said his young charge - should he want to - had the potential to one day enter the world's top 50.

Let's just hope he still yells that out when he makes it to the top 50! He'll take the game by storm!

Samuel's swing:

January 05, 2015

"Does Tiger Have The Chipping Yips?"

January 05, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

That's the question Matthew Rudy explores with several top teachers

December 30, 2014

Poll: How Many Tournaments Will Tiger Win In 2015?

December 30, 2014/ Geoff Shackelford

On his 39th birthday, it's a very simple question: how many will Tiger Woods win in 2015?

This is from January 1 to December 30th, so this includes World Challenges and Hero Four-Balls and anything else he might play. For what it's worth, I'm voting for one*, with an asterisk.

The poll:

*2016 will be the big year for Tiger.

Update on 2014-12-31 05:27 by Geoff

**Doubtful that it'll sway your vote, but Bob Harig considers the "burning" questions for Tiger in 2015.

December 17, 2014

This Explains Why Tiger's Going Into The Restaurant Business...

December 17, 2014/ Geoff Shackelford

SI's Michael Bamberger files a story subtitled "How Tiger's Brand Remains Lucrative" and considers how business off the course remains strong for Woods.

If I were his accountant I'd strongly recommend against starting a restaurant (they're a very tricky investment!), but Bamberger says that the upcoming venture strikes at one of Tiger's core values: hating when others make money off of his fame. You know, writers, caddies, teachers, broadcasters and even bars.

Woods’s website shows five courses in various stages of construction where he is involved as a designer. A massive bar and restaurant near his South Florida home called the Woods Jupiter is expected to open in 2015. It might be hard to imagine Woods as a backslapping restaurateur in the tradition of Mickey Mantle, but people who know him say he got tired of filling the Dirty Martini in Palm Beach Gardens and getting nothing out of it. When he arrives at the Martini, his presence gets tweeted out and within an hour the bar is packed by gawkers and drinkers, credit cards in hand.

December 16, 2014

Tiger's Still Battling Flu Symptoms As He Opens First Design

December 16, 2014/ Geoff Shackelford

Tiger Woods opened a new course after many false starts

December 15, 2014

No More Mom Jeans: Tiger Makes Houston Design Stop

December 15, 2014/ Geoff Shackelford

Jenny Dial Creech reports from Houston on Tiger's latest construction visit at Blaketree National, where the principle developer still goes with the sweater over the shoulders look while Tiger sheds his mom jeans to help with fuel economy for a Nike rain or track suit motif. Who said he wouldn't break new ground in the design world?

While this private project is for the beautiful people, at least we know it will set a good example in at least one way: a par-3 course aimed at the kids.

"One of the neatest things to me is the little playground. I grew up on a par-3 course, and the longest hole out there was maybe 120 yards. I remember hitting driver, 7-iron on those holes because I couldn't get there.

"Playing a golf course like this is so much fun. If you listen to the players who have had a chance to play Augusta, one of the things they talk about is the par-3 course and how neat that is. There are little hidden gems. That, to me, will be fun for all levels. You'll have the kids play, you can have adults play and have a blast and play multiple times."

Tiger touched on his game and modern carry distances.

"The big guys, ... their number is 320 in the air. The game has changed a lot. In 1996, I was the second longest guy behind Daly and I averaged 296. To be in the top 15 on the tour, you have to average over 300 yards. The game has changed dramatically and the courses have gotten so much longer. 7,500-yard golf courses seem short to us. I carried a ball 323. To me that's exciting because I haven't had that in years.

He also mentioned the release patterns, but expanded on why his short game is so bad.

"I am very excited about my game. Except for my short game, that's a bit of a mess. I was caught in between two techniques and so my release pattern is different. My bunker game got infinitely better, whereas my pitch game got worse.

"That will take some time to iron things out, but I know from about 40 yards out and on, my game got a lot better. So I need to work on the other stuff with my new release pattern."