Tiger's Surprise Tour Stop

Unless you had been lifeless most of Friday, you in all likelihood heard that Tiger is gambling the next two tour stops, the Valspar Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The API changed into anticipated, the Valspar wasn't. Tiger has never played the Valspar earlier than, even though he did play the Copperhead Course with newbie accomplice Kelli Kuehne inside the JCPenney Classic manner back in 1996. They completed 2d.

The precise news here for Tiger enthusiasts is that Tiger's again seems to be conserving up very well -- properly sufficient for him to tee it up four instances in five weeks.

After a good recovery week I’m committing to play in the @ValsparChamp and @APinv next two weeks.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 2, 2018

The Valspar was prepared for this possibility. ESPN.com reported:

Valspar tournament director Tracy West stated she heard from Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, approximately 30 minutes earlier than the assertion and placed into motion a plan that tournament organizers have been running on for weeks simply in case the 14-time principal champion devoted.

Of course, when Tiger shows up, the Tiger factor ramps things up dramatically. The logistics go through the roof! As golf.com reported:

Now in her fourth year running the event, West listed off the changes that Tiger's appearance dictates. Valspar organizers will open up two additional parking lots to handle 5,000 to 6,000 more spots. They'll set up more buses, and volunteers to handle those buses and fans at admissions gates. Increased security. More porta-potties. More food (and beverage) orders from caterers and concessionaires. Friday's announcement has organizers ready to see 10,000 or more spectators per day. Tiger changes the game.

Acknowledging her excitement that crowds could probably promote out the venue, West remained cognizant of the capacity for rowdy Tour crowds like those that have come underneath scrutiny in latest weeks.

"We're not the Phoenix Open," she said. "It's a balance, right? You want as many people to come and see these guys as possible. We don't want to turn people away. However, we don't want to make this something that gets out of control, and we'll make some judgment calls." Tiger's surprise decision did knock pro Jonathan Randolph out of a spot -- at least temporarily; he's still the first alternate -- but Randolph tweeted:

The @TigerWoods effect is real....just got hip checked out of the field by the GOAT #ImNotEvenMad pic.twitter.com/U9luersZB6

— Jonathan Randolph (@JRandolph88) March 2, 2018

Note the #ImNotEvenMad hashtag. As golf.com noted, the golf world as a whole seems pumped that Tiger may finally be on the way back.

But that wasn't the stop of the Valspar's correct news. Shortly after the occasion were given Tiger's name, Jordan Spieth showed he could display up as properly. Add them to Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Sergio and Henrik Stenson -- among others -- and it looks as if the Valspar goes to get the top level subject they have been praying for.

This is a wonder that seems to have maximum of the golf international thrilled. Now, if the Valspar can simply discover a manner to get Randolph a spot, this can be a win-win for every person.