CASPER
New member
ORLANDO, Fla. – Arnold Palmer believes redemption for Tiger Woods starts with being more open with the media.
Palmer initially was guarded with his opinion about Woods and the sex scandal that has tarnished golf's biggest star. But when asked at Bay Hill how Woods could show more respect for the game — as Woods pledged in his public apology last month — Palmer's suggestion was for him to let his guard down.
"It's up to him to do and say whatever he feels he needs to do to redeem the situation, put it in the proper place," Palmer said. "My opinion, as I said ... I was going to keep to myself. But I suppose the best thing he could do would be open up and just let you guys shoot at him. And that's just my thought."
Such advice comes from an 80-year-old, seven-time major champion who first made golf popular among the masses in America with his charisma, hard-charging comebacks and a connection with fans unlike any other player. Palmer won them over by looking them in the eye and speaking from the heart.
Even after he finished his press conference Wednesday, the King looked comfortable facing more than a dozen reporters until it was time for him to get ready for the pro-am in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Woods is missing the tournament for the first time in his career. It had been the only regular PGA Tour event he played every year.
Palmer said he was disappointed Woods wasn't playing, instead choosing to make his return to competition in two weeks at Augusta National, where each has won four green jackets.
Woods is the two-time defending champion and a six-time winner at Bay Hill. Among the more indelible images are Woods and Palmer embracing behind the 18th green before the trophy presentation.
It is doubtful Woods will take Palmer's advice. The only time they have spoken since Woods' private life of infidelity was exposed came last week, when he called Palmer to tell him he would not be playing at Bay Hill this year.
"He called me one evening and we had a conversation," Palmer said. "I wasn't in a position to hear him very well, so I asked him if he would call me the next morning just to confirm what he had said, and he did. And the situation was that he didn't feel his game was sharp enough to come and compete that soon, so he told me that he was not going to play. He would go to Augusta first.
