Why Tiger will make his comeback at the Masters...

***BREAKING NEWS**** (Well sort of)

It appears that the rumors were true. Tiger Woods will mark his return to golf by playing at the Masters this April. This shouldn't be a huge surprise to most who follow

golf and will be a very, very interesting test for several things.

The story from CBSNews.com RIGHT HERE

More from the Augusta Chronicle RIGHT HERE

There had been rampant speculation after Woods' statement in February apologizing to everyone for what happened with him and promising to move his life forward. Because of where he lives outside of Orlando, many thought he would return at Arnold Palmer's Tournament at Bay Hill. He has often used that as a tune up for the Masters.

((His Tigerness/Courtesy: scrapetv.com))

Now, as for the reasons he chose Augusta National, well they are pretty simple. According to the release Woods said "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". True, his last tournament, the Australian Masters on November 15th of last year.

What Woods says aside, the main reason he chose Augusta is this: Control. Don't think for a minute that this wasn't highly calculated. By going to the Masters, he and his handlers will have almost complete control over access and availability. There will not be any tabloid reporters on the ground...period. No Access Hollywood or Entertainment Tonight, it will be golf writers and Sports Reporters. Plus, if you didn't request credentials for the tournament in January, too late, you've already missed out.

((Me covering Tigers Presser in 2009//Thanks Eric Hager))

Having covered the Masters for the past 10 years, I can tell you how it will play out. Each year, Tiger plays an early Tuesday morning practice round. I've shot video of him playing the 18th hole of that round 10 times. He's there within 30 minutes of the same time every year.

He will have to do a press conference in the Press Room on Tuesday around 11am. It will be chaos, but it will be the same faces he sees every year. There won't be anything shouted at him from people that shouldn't be there. Yes, he will get questions about the personal life and yes, he'll try and answer them without revealing much, but he'll have control in that venue. The room itself is small, maybe 100 or so capacity plus room for about 15-20 TV cameras. That's it.

Yes, it will be uplinked and available and he'll be on every cable network imaginable. But it will be controlled. After he finishes, that's it. Nothing else. Nobody gets access to him after that. Never have. The only time he talks after Tuesday at midday is if he is in or near the lead. He has on occasion stopped underneath the Magnolia near the clubhouse to talk, but very rarely...don't expect it this time. If he is in or near the lead, he'll be lead down to the press area and he'll answer golf questions and that's it.

Trust me when I say this. I know. I've been there and I know how controlled that enviornment is. What will be interesting is to see how the tabloids will deal with it. You won't see anyone flying over the course, never have-never will. You won't see stalker paparazzi waiting to shoot pictures of him milling around the course. He can stay on the course or near it, drive in through Magnolia lane and never be seen publicly if he so chooses.

I kind of wish that I was there this year, it's the 1st one in a very, very long time that I won't. But it will be an interesting week to see; how it's handled and how it's covered. Should be fun.

Speaking of fun...and because we can. Here is a Sneak Peak of the South Park episode featuring Tiger and conicidentally...running tomorrow. Thanks You Tube: