Tiger To Face Grilling Ahead Of Comeback

Tiger Woods is preparing to face the world's media before his first competitive golf tournament since revelations about his extra-marital affairs shattered his reputation.

He is due to return to the sport at the Masters in Augusta later this week after a five-month break and will hold a news conference with journalists at the historic course at 7pm (UK time).
It is not clear if he will be willing to answer questions about the scandal which has engulfed the world's most bankable sportsman.
The world number one arrived at Augusta on Sunday for a brief practice before three days of warm-ups in front of spectators begin today.
Watch the news conference live on Sky Player from 7pm

Even without Tiger in the town, the Masters would be a big deal. But the ticket touts, the groupies, the merchandise stands have gone into overdrive.

Sky's Washington correspondent Greg Milam

It was at the Masters in 1997 that a 21-year-old Woods burst on to the golf scene and the exclusive Georgia club is famous for its strict rules and tight security.
Woods, a married father-of-two, has admitted cheating on wife Elin, a former model.
More than a dozen women have claimed relationships with him in a sex scandal that is said to have cost him, sponsors and the game of golf as much as £7.8bn.
Woods has been undergoing therapy at a clinic in Mississippi.

Faldo has his doubts

Last month he admitted he was nervous about the reaction he might receive but said: "I'm excited to get back and play. I miss competing."
But former Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo told Sky News: "He is stepping into a completely unknown world and so to juggle that and play golf, to come on to this course, for the first time in five months, you've got to believe he is making life difficult for himself."
Many bookmakers, though, have made the four-time champion favourite.
Bookie Billy Mayfair said: "I'd give him 50-50. One, it's an intimidation factor. Two, even though the crowds at Augusta will be very sedate and appreciative, they are still going to be loud.
"It will affect other players more than Tiger."
Ticket touts are also doing brisk business on roads around the Augusta site, with prices for practice rounds reaching up to £200 with the expectation that tournament tickets will go for £500.

Woods' wife Elin

With numbered badges for spectators and one-year television contracts, the Masters has the power to punish anyone who might try to disrupt Woods in his first competition since the scandal.
Woods lost several of the sponsors whose endorsement deals made him the world's first billion-dollar sportsman. It also delivered a body-blow to golf at a time when economic issues are hurting tournaments worldwide.
Among those practising alongside Woods was the US comedian George Lopez, just one of the TV stars who has lampooned the star in recent months.
Some of his fellow pros are less than enthusiastic about the star's antics.
World number two Steve Stricker said: "I want all this to just get over with."
British star Ian Poulter added: "I'm bored of it quite frankly. I'm tired of talking about it."