Report: Tiger Woods to return to the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Tiger Woods hasn't played in the Waste Management Phoenix Open since 2001. According to a Golf.com report, that drought will end later in January.
The publication cites two anonymous sources saying Woods is a lock to return to the event after a 13-year absence. The tournament starts January 29 and is played this year over Super Bowl weekend, with the added bonus of University of Phoenix Stadium hosting the NFL's championship game in the Phoenix-metro area. One of the most highly attended events on the PGA Tour, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is played at TPC Scottsdale, which was recently renovated by original architect Tom Weiskopf.
The report cites a tournament official who says Woods has already reserved a courtesy car for the event, as well another source claiming Woods has already booked a hotel room at the nearby Four Seasons Resort.
Woods doesn't have to make a commitment to play official before January 23, the Friday before tournament week. He typically doesn't announce his entry until that deadline. If Woods does play in Phoenix, it'll be his season debut, followed by his typical start at the Farmers Insurance Open the following week at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
The 14-time major winner has made three previous Phoenix starts, finishing T-18 in 1997, third in 1999 and fifth in 2001. In 1997, Woods made a hole-in-one on the layout's 16th hole, a par 3 whose single-day attendance typically outdraws the entire, whole-course gallery for a single day at other PGA Tour events. The ace lead to Woods' roof-raising celebration that was an early highlight of his career.
Despite the positive results inside the ropes, Woods had to deal with fans who were security risks. In 1999, a Woods heckler was tackled by security and found to have a gun. Two years later, a fan threw an orange onto a green while Woods was putting.
Then again, in 1999, some fans went well out of their way to help Woods move a boulder that was deemed a man-made obstruction. So maybe a few bad apples didn't ruin Woods' view of the Phoenix fans.
So why now? The spot in Woods' schedule is open because sponsors for events in the European Tour's swing through the United Arab Emirates, where Woods has cashed in on massive appearance fees dating back to 2006, have refused to pay the $3 million fee he commands.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
