Tiger Woods Declawed

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

In an address to the world that any disgraced politician would envy, Tiger Woods apologized to just about anyone who listened Friday:  his wife Elin, his family, fans, parents and the PGA Tour.  He sounded sincere in telling us how sorry he was for cavorting with an assortment of women, and for behaving like a jerk on and off the golf course.  After listening to that, Woods should be damn lucky he's still married to Elin, who--tellingly--wasn't in the same room during his mea culpa.

The timing of Woods' announcement was dictated by his rehab schedule, where he is reportedly being treated for sex addiction, and not because he wanted to stick it to one of his former sponsors.  Accenture, which dropped Woods in December when the news about him got to be too much for them, is putting its name to a match play golf tournament in Arizona this weekend.

Coverage of the Tiger Woods Show was seen on all networks, broadcast and cable.  Only reporters from wire services were permitted in, asking no questions.  This tight control of the message was greeted with derision by most of the other media.  Doesn't this sound like Michael Jackson to you?

Among the other things Woods told the assembled family and friends:  He blasted the tabloid media for stalking his family.  And what really happened to sour the relationship between him and his wife should remain between them.  No argument there.

Oh yes, about the golf.  Woods says he might return to playing someday, but didn't say when.  If he does, it'll be a long time, if ever.  Forget the Masters or the U.S. Open.  The most important thing in his life right now is to get his life together, and that has no timetable.

If Tiger Woods really, truly wants to become a better man, then whatever he's doing now is the first step in a long process.  We wish him the best.