Would Divorce Hasten Tiger's Return?
In the midst of scandal, Tiger Woods is being honored by his peers. For the tenth time in 13 years, he's been voted PGA Tour Player of the Year - mere days after being named The Associated Press Athlete of the Decade.
Despite the accolades, Woods continues to keep a low profile, his whereabouts still unknown, as they have been since the car accident that set off the media frenzy around him in the early hours of the day after Thanksgiving.
But while Woods has stayed silent, luxury watch maker Tag Heuer announced Friday it will "downscale the use of his image ... depending on his decision about returning to professional golf," adding "the partnership with Tiger Woods will continue."
"He needs to change this from a story about a man who has been cheating on his wife and being a bad husband and father to a man who's trying to transform and become a better person," observes Golf.com's Connel Barret.
Additional Coverage of the Tiger Woods Scandal:
Tiger Woods Dropped From Tag Heuer Ads
John Daly to Tiger: Go Play Golf
Galea Lawyer: No Link to Woods
PGA Head: We'll Be "Healthy" Without Tiger
Report: Tiger's Dad Cheated, Too
Sources: Elin Done with Tiger
Tiger Woods Voted AP Athlete of Decade
The world's No. 1 golfer is said to be attending counseling sessions in the hopesof saving his five-year marriage to wife Elin.
But some speculate that effort is too late. "I think," says CBS News legal analyst Lisa Bloom. "Tiger is getting divorced, and I think Elin, if she is smart, is going to file first."
If the rumors of divorce turn out to be true, we may see woods back on the green sooner than expected, says Barret. "Instead of taking six months-to-a-year off, which is what I expected," he notes, "we might see him back in time for the Masters (in early April), which is the tournament that means the most to him."
By refocusing his attention on the sport he has dominated for more than a decade, says CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor, Woods may not be able to get his name out of the tabloids, but he would probably wind up back in the winner's circle.
More on Tiger Woods:
Source: Tiger Doc Drug Link a "Stretch"
World Follows Tiger's Scandal Saga
Woods Shuts out Famous Friends
Woods' Wife Seen without Wedding Ring
Woods Leaves PGA in Economic Limbo
Gillette Shaves Tiger Woods From Its Ads