Bookies take bets on future of Tiger's son

Tiger Woods and his wife Elin have announced the birth of their second child, a boy named Charlie Axel.

The boy was born yesterday and is a brother for 19-month-old Sam Alexis.

“Both Charlie and Elin are doing great and we want to thank everyone for their sincere best wishes and kind thoughts,” said a “thrilled” Woods on his website.

“Sam is very excited to be a big sister and we feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. I also want to thank our doctors, nurses and the hospital staff for their personal and professional care.

“We look forward to introducing Charlie to you at the appropriate time.”

Charlie is 14/1 to represent the US in a Ryder Cup and emulate his father who has represented the US Team in five Ryder Cups to date. Tiger’s son is 50/1 to win a major by 2050.

Leon Blanche, head of PR for Boylesports, said, “Tiger is the greatest golfer of his generation and who’s to know his son could also dominate the game in the years to come.”

The next big news awaited from Woods, of course, is when he will return to golf. He has been out of action since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery following his amazing 14th major victory at the US Open last June.

He has been practising for several weeks now and said last week it was going “full bore”.

The Accenture World Match Play in Tucson is in three weeks and Woods is the defending champion, but with the possibility of having to play two rounds a day he may decide to wait until the US Tour comes to Florida, the state where he lives, next month.

“I have no restrictions – it’s just a matter of getting my golf endurance up. I don’t have my golf stamina back yet,” he said on his website.

“I am excited about returning to competition. Early on I didn’t miss golf because I enjoyed staying home with Elin and Sam and I knew I wasn’t physically able to play.

“The truth is, I would have embarrassed myself. Now I’m getting my feel and practice back. It’s just a matter of playing more on the course.

“I’m working hard to get myself back into tournament shape and will return as soon as I’m ready.”

If he waits another month he could find he is no longer the world number one. With his points average going down because of his long injury lay-off Sergio Garcia has moved to number two and closed the gap to less than three points. Woods’s lead was over 11 points last June.