GOLF TOUR NEWS:EIGHT-TIME major winner Tom Watson has called on world number one Tiger Woods to "show some humility" and apologise for his behaviour before returning to golf.
Woods admitted to “transgressions” following allegations that he had extra-marital affairs.
Watson (60) has backed up the comments made by former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, that Woods should make his eagerly anticipated return away from the fairways.
“One of the things that is not in question is what Tiger has to do, he has to take ownership of what he has done. He must get his personal life in order,” said Watson ahead of this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.
“And when he comes back, he has to show some humility to the public, in the sense that, if I were him, it wouldn’t be at a golf tournament where I would first come out. I would come out and do an interview and say, ‘I screwed up’ and admit it. And (say), ‘I’m going to change; I want my wife and family back; I have to earn her trust back’.
“He messed up. He knows he messed up. The world knows he messed up. And he has to take ownership of that.”
Watson also believes when the 34-year-old 14-time major winner ends his self-imposed career break he should also re-think his on-course antics.
Five-time British Open winner Watson said: “I feel that he has not carried the same stature as the other great players that have come along, like Jack (Nicklaus), Byron Nelson, (Ben) Hogan, in the sense that there was bad language and club throwing on the golf course.
“You can grant that to somebody, a young person, that has not been out there for a while, but I think he needs to clean up his act and show the respect for the game that the people before him have shown.”
Last year’s British Open runner-up is making his first appearance at a regular European Tour event since the 1993 German Masters this week at Emirates Golf Club.
Meanwhile, European number one Lee Westwood is looking forward to a problem-free week after nearing a solution to the latest issue to hit his season.
Westwood missed the cut in Abu Dhabi after citing problems with a new set of irons, before his title challenge in Qatar last week was halted after cracking the face of his driver during the third round in Doha.
Westwood was unhappy with the replacement for the final round, but the 36-year-old believes he has found a solution ahead of today’s first round.
“I have been inundated with Ping drivers over the last couple of days and I think we’re gradually getting it sorted,” the world number four said.
“I’ve got three or four I can choose from, I’ll just pick the best and then I will have two or three back-ups. I think around any golf course, long, straight driving is an asset, and that is one of my strongest weapons.”
World number nine Rory McIlroy returns to the scene of his maiden victory 12 months ago looking to convert a run of seven top-10 finishes in his last eight events into a second career triumph.
McIlroy leads an exceptionally strong Irish contingent in the desert this week, where he is joined by Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin and local teaching professional Stephen Deane.
Desert Classic
Course:Emirates GC.
Length:7,301 yards. Par: 72.
Prizemoney:€1.7 million, €298,863 for the winner.
Field:132.
Defending champion:Rory McIlroy won by one shot to take first title on Tour.
Layout:Plenty of water, big greens that are very quick. Course was made harder in recent years with more rough added.
On TV:Live on Sky Sports every day, starting at 6am today.
Weather:Cloudy but warm today.
Time difference:Dubai is four hours of Ireland.
