Look for the Tiger to come roaring back next week. Woods, who has been away from the game since last June, following knee surgery and rehabilitation, will return to the PGA Tour at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. If he looks anything like he did going out – he came back to spank Rocco Mediate at the 2008 U.S. Open in what was a legendary playoff win – the PGA pros have a lot to worry about. But the game overall will definitely benefit. “There’s no question that there’s a ‘Tiger Effect,’” CBS Sports President Sean McManus said. “Ratings are at least 50 percent higher when he’s on the leaderboard on a weekend. That’s just a fact.” Tom Wilson, the director of the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines, agrees. “One other factor that was very disappointing to us was that the local media didn’t help the tournament as they continuously focused on which players weren’t at the tournament — like Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Rocco Mediate — rather than promoting the great players we did have there, including Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Camilo Villegas, Retief Goosen and many others,” Wilson said. Woods says he’s looking forward to getting back into the swing, although he enjoyed time off with his family. “Elin and our new son Charlie are doing great. I’ve enjoyed my time at home with the family and appreciate everyone’s support and kind wishes,” Woods said on his Web site. “I’m now ready to play again.”
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