“He’s baaack!” [1] Tiger Woods has announced he will be a part of the Masters Golf Tournament 2010, a privilege he holds as a former Augusta National champion. It was always a matter of time before he would return. And considering how tightly controlled media coverage is at that elite golf event – and how fruitless it will be for the likes of TMZ to use [2] short term loans to try to crash the party – he won’t have to field too many uncomfortable questions. They’ll have to be content to wait for when Woods feels up to talking. For now, enjoy Tiger Woods’ return.

What would the Masters amount to without him?

Well, maybe not too much. You would have to crazy or high to ignore the skill of the following players:

• Steve Stricker
• Camilo Villegas
• Ernie Els
• Dustin Johnson
• Matt Kuchar
• Ben Crane

… or Padraig Harrington for that matter. All of these guys can play the game of golf at the highest level and have the top FedEx Cup point totals. Veterans like Harrington are lurking in the rough. (He moved up from 106th to 37th in the span of a week.) But I’m horrified that the NASCAR virus appears to be infecting the PGA Tour. Winston Cup, FedEx Cup? Coincidence? Corporate sponsorship is to be expected, but let’s keep our hands clean of Skoal and “Larry the Cable Guy” DVDs, please. This Tiger Woods business is dirty enough.

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren are all the soap opera we need

Elin Nordegren and Tiger Woods have been seen together in public …  again. TMZ is going to air the Woods/Nordegren pics tonight on TV, but they aren’t above teasing us with them. If you only care about his golfing, The Masters Golf Tournament 2010 will be streaming online. Yes, The Masters online is the only way to fly. You don’t want to miss [3] Tiger Woods’ return.

Why Woods says The Masters golf tournament 2010 is his gig

“The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect,” said Tiger Woods in a statement to the media. “After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta. The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been a while since I last played.”

It’s his first tournament since the shenanigans began

Whatever happened that night, Woods is ready to put it behind him. He isn’t going to wait like you have to for car loans. He’ll let his woods, irons, wedges and putter do the talking at The Masters Golf Tournament 2010. But will the crowd be happy to see him?

“I hope they boo him off the course,” Alice Kohn of Miami said last week. “He should be booed for the same amount of time he spent cheating on his wife. I used to love Tiger, but now I can’t stand him. I still love golf. I still watch it on TV. But I won’t be happy to see Tiger on the golf course. Not anymore.”

Is Tiger ready to roar?

Pro golfers and golf analysts know where their bread is buttered. Outspoken commentator Johnny Miller says Woods will “come back strong,” which is not unfounded, as he is a strong competitor and he’s had sabbaticals before. Tiger knows his business; if he didn’t intend on going out to dominate, he wouldn’t be doing it.

Players “The Big Easy” Ernie Els hit the nail on the head when he spoke of this master of The Masters (he’s won it four times). Els knows Woods “will be embraced by the players” upon his re-emergence. According to USA Today, money talks. Since Tiger Woods debuted on the PGA Tour, total prize funds have gone from $ 65.95 million in 1996 to $ 279.8 million for this season. The Masters golf tournament 2010 may not be the biggest money grab of the season, but it is the most prestigious. Tiger Woods draws crowds and advertisers. He is the engine that made the PGA Tour great.