Tiger's Indefinite Leave Clippings, Jack Speaks Edition

Jack Nicklaus was corralled into talking about his upcoming 70th birthday (you've been warned, here come the Jack At 70 stories). Naturally, the conference call talk turned to Tiger Woods and Jack issued this rather surprising suggestion, reports Doug Ferguson:

"If Tiger is going to pass my record, this is a big year for him in that regard," Nicklaus said Friday.

But it starts with Woods playing, and not even Nicklaus knows when the world's No. 1 player will return from an "indefinite break" while he tries to salvage his marriage from the blockbuster publicity of extramarital affairs.

Woods has never missed a Masters or a U.S. Open since 1995.

"I don't know the answer what he's going to do and what he's going to play. He's the only one who can answer that," Nicklaus, who won 18 majors in his career, said during a conference call ahead of his 70th birthday on Jan. 21. "Certainly, this year with where the majors are ... he basically owns all three places.
"If he doesn't play this year, the chore will be a little tougher."

Oh a little challenge from Jack! Aren't we feeling frisky sitting on 18 majors.

Bob Harig noted this from Jack:

Nicklaus has long maintained that he expects Woods to break his record.

"The game will continue to move forward," Nicklaus said. "Tiger is a big influence and the largest one we've ever had. Certainly I hope he comes back and plays. [But] last year the tour had a lot of events that were larger than they ever were and charity [contributions were] up. It's not all about once person. The game is a big game.''

Jose Lambiet reports that Elin Woods oversaw the removal of several boxes of documents from Tiger's office yesterday under the supervision of his business manager.

What’s going on here?

Several lawyers are telling me that, in Florida, the wife is entitled to see most of the husband’s financial documents in case of a divorce. Speculation is that financial documents, contracts and other business papers were in the boxes.

Can a Woods legal split be just around the corner?

Woods, by the way, didn’t appear to be at the office but his business manager, Chris Hubman, was.

Butch Harmon predicts Tiger will be back in March.

Dave Shedloski has taken to labeling Tiger the Absent One and quotes various players about Tiger's absence, including Pat Perez.

"He has a real problem; I think he is going to have to face it. But he may not," said Pat Perez, one of eight players making his first start at the Plantation Course. "He may not come back. It's his choice. It's really none of my business to say that. I would like to see him come back. I think he has a lot more to prove and he has a lot more to do. I think he believes that as well. He is in a real mess right now. He is still getting out of the mess, and I think he will."

And finally, Brian Keough reports on Gary Player hilariously warning Rory McIlroy not to be like…baseball players or presidents tempted by "young girls."

Q With Tiger Woods taking time out at the moment, the Americans are taking a big interest in McIlroy. His parents and advisers will have to be careful.

Exactly. I assume that Rory has learnt a lesson not only watching golfers but watching some of the baseball players that have got into big trouble. And even the President of the United States, not just golfers. So they have got to watch him very carefully. There are a lot of young girls out there that will try and set a trap for him.

Q What’s your take on what’s happened to Tiger Woods and when do you think he will be back playing?

First of all, I have made a point of making no comment on the Tiger Woods issue and secondly, I don’t know when he will be coming back to play. But I think he will come back and play as well as he ever did.