Ogilvy: Woods must respect fellow players

FORMER US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy has urged exiled world number one Tiger Woods to make his return to the public eye away from the golf course out of respect for the game and his fellow professionals.

Woods has taken an indefinite break from golf after the scandal surrounding his private life erupted at the end of November. And while the speculation continues as to the Woods’ current whereabouts and when he will return to the course, Ogilvy believes the 14-time major winner should do his best to diffuse the expected media frenzy.

“I think the least amount of circus he could face would be if he went to Augusta first. That would be the most controlled environment he could be in, but if he truly, truly wants to win Augusta, he’s going to have to play before then,” said Ogilvy.

“I think he should come out away from the golf course. One, out of respect for all the other players, and two, to diffuse the circus part of it at least before he actually gets to the golf tournament.

“It would be nice if he came out away from the golf tournament.

“It would still be crazy, but the tabloid edge might be gone.”

World number nine Ogilvy kicks off his European Tour campaign at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship this week after making an ideal start to the year by defending his SBS Championship title in Hawaii at the start of January.

“Everyone wants him back. Golf tournaments are more enjoyable when he’s there. It’s not a hollow victory when you win when he’s not there, but it’s a lot better when you win when he’s there. He’s still, at 34, the best player ever up to this point in his career,” added the 32-year-old Australian.

“If he continues it on, he may be the best ever, but for the last 14 years, it’s been pretty impressive. It’s still better to have him around.

“I think most guys want him back. I think guys are just curious, everyone wants to know, everyone wants the full scoop of where he is and everyone just wants to get back to normal.”

Meanwhile European number one Lee Westwood is eager to begin the defence of his Race to Dubai crown and pick up where he left off in Abu Dhabi this week.

The ever-consistent Westwood capped off another fine season in November with a brilliant victory at the Dubai World Championship to land a second Harry Vardon Trophy. And after enjoying a Christmas break in Barbados, the world number four is ready to move on from last year, starting at Abu Dhabi Golf Club today.

“I don’t think I have ever felt more eager for a new season. Although I enjoyed the time off, it was a long six weeks, especially with the snow at home, it makes you feel even keener to get out in the sun and start practising again,” said the 30-year-old

“It was a fantastic year last year, but at some point you have to stick it in a box and move on, but still feed from the confidence I gained from last year, especially the end of the year and the last tournament.

“I would feel disappointed if I didn’t achieve the same as last year, I think all players want to improve. But winning the money list, there’s not many places to go on from there other than winning it by more.

“But the majors are where I can improve most because I haven’t won one and that’s everybody’s goal, it’s the yardstick by which all top professionals are measured.

“Obviously I feel like I should have won The Open last year, but didn’t and I learned a few things from that. So the more often you get into situations like that I feel more comfortable and I’m getting to the stage now where I should be in that position in most majors.”

Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin are the Irish in the field for Abu Dhabi. The event has attracted a high-class entry that also includes five world top 10 players in Westwood (4th), Henrik Stenson (7th), Paul Casey (8th), Ogilvy (9th) and McIlroy (10th). Also there are Ian Poulter, now 12th in the world, Sergio Garcia (13th) and other notables like Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim.