Tiger Coming Back in 2 Weeks? Rumors Swirl
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who was reportedly hired by Tiger Woods as a PR consultant, told CBS News that he can neither confirm nor deny a report that the golfing great will return to the PGA tour later this month.
Mark Cannizzaro of The New York Post says Fleischer, who was the press secretary to President George W. Bush, is on board to smooth Woods' return to the game at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, which begins March 25th.
Tiger Woods Hires Former Bush Aide Ari Fleischer
Fleischer runs a company called Ari Fleischer Sports Communications that bills itself as able to "help you handle the bad news and take advantage of the good."
"The way the press treats athletes and sports executives has become increasingly adversarial and conflict-driven," says the company's Web site. "Athletes who are trained to give it all and leave it on the field now face a public and a media that demand more."
Special Report: The Return of Tiger
The former Bush aide worked with Mark McGuire after his reputation was hurt by his 2005 refusal to answer questions from a congressional committee about whether he had used steroids. He also reportedly counts as clients Major Leave Baseball, the NFL and the Green Bay Packers.
Earlier this month, a source told the AP that Woods returned home after a week of family counseling in Arizona and is trying to get into a routine that includes golf and fitness.
Woods has been hitting balls on the range at Isleworth, not far from where he ran his SUV into a tree in a middle-of-the-night accident on Nov. 27 that set off revelations of his extramarital affairs.
Complete Tiger Woods coverage:
Tiger: "I Am Deeply Sorry"
Tiger Won't "Rule Out" Golf Return in 2010
Watch Tiger Woods' Statement
Reaction Divided over Tiger's Apology
Scott Tinley: And There It Is - Tiger's Polished Apology
Photos: Tiger Apologizes
CBSSports.com's Steve Elling Blogs about Tiger
Steve Elling: Tiger Must Serve Penance for Repentance to Be Believed
Mike Freeman: Tiger's Words Were Strong But Will Change Follow? Doubtful
Ray Ratto: Tiger's Apology Far Too Public for Private Problems
Tiger the Pitchman Not Out of the Woods
Analyst: We Just Want Tiger Back
Mid-Apology, Tiger Denies Drug Use
Text of Tiger Woods' Statement
Tiger Woods Word Cloud
Tiger Woods and Buddhism