Jack Nicklaus: “Woods will play in Masters”

Golf's record major winner Jack Nicklaus expects his nearest challenger, Tiger Woods, to return from his self-imposed lay-off in time for next month's US Masters.

Woods has been absent from the game since a minor car crash in November lifted the lid on a string of infidelities and a public apology last month failed to shed any light on a prospective return date, but March 25's Arnold Palmer Invitational has been speculated about as a possible first tournament back.

The 71-year-old, quoted in the Mail on Sunday, said of Woods' return date: "I've been very non-committal because it's none of my business. But my guess as a golfer is he's going to try to play the Masters. It would surprise me if he didn't. I suspect he will play something before Augusta too."

If 35-year-old Woods is not back by the Bay Hill Event, that only leaves April 1's Shell Houston Open in Texas before the year's first major tees off.

European number one Ian Poulter also expects the world number one to be in the Masters field, and added: "I believe Tiger might play at Augusta. He's been practising and hitting balls for some time.

"The Masters is still six weeks away and I haven't spoken to him myself, but I know some players have and they think he could be close to coming back."

Chilean earthquake damage spreads to football season

Chile's football clubs will play one tournament this season instead of the usual two championships, with a mid-season break to help the national team prepare for the World Cup.

Foreign players have left the country, players and their families have suffered personal tragedies, and stadiums have been damaged as a result of the earthquake which hit the country a week ago, Reuters reports. Clubs in the south of the country are hardest hit, including top-tier clubs Huachipato, Universidad de Concepcion and Nublense.

The World Cup appearance by the national team was important for the morale of the country, said Chilean football federation (ANFP) president Harold Mayne-Nicholls.

Chile's domestic season since 2002 has involved the Apertura (opening) championship in the first half of the year, and the Clausura (closing) championship in the second half. Teams face each other one time in each championship, at home in one, away in the other. The Apertura was six rounds into the season when the earthquake hit.

This year, the Championship will start before the World Cup and finish after it.

Source: Sport Business

Tiger Woods rejects a $75 Million Offer

It seems that Tiger Woods might not be scrambling for sponsors as some would have you believe. It was confirmed that he turned down a $75 million offer from an Irish based company.

Irish bookie, Paddy Power, offered Woods a $75 million sponsorship that they have confirmed he snubbed this past Friday. It seems Woods must know something that we do not. The recently fallen-from-grace golfer has been dropped by several big named sponsors, most recently Gatorade.

Woods, who brings in an estimated $100 million a year in endorsements, has lost some of his bigger backers upon the acknowledgement of multiple affairs late last year. Notably, family oriented brand Buick, which had their logo on his golf bag until a few months ago.

Paddy Power says they are working on a better deal to offer Woods; this will be a five year deal. The Woods camp says they are not adding to his sponsorship portfolio right now. We will see if money really does talk in Tiger’s world.

Woods hit the pavement hard with a reality check late last year when news of many of his extra-marital affairs began to stream across the headlines. He has since been to rehab for sex addiction as well as family counseling.

Federer, Sampras Lead Hit for Haiti Live Friday on Tennis Channel

Tennis stars past and present will turn out this Friday for the “Hit for Haiti” benefit during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., to be broadcast live March 12, 2010, at 10:30 p.m. ET on the Tennis Channel.

Among the team-ups announced, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras will take on Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi in doubles, while Steffi Graf and Lindsay Davenport will play against Martina Navratilova and Justine Henin in women’s doubles.

All eight players are current or former No. 1s in the men’s and women’s rankings.

Indian Wells Tournament Director Steve Simon says he expects a minimum of $1 million to be raised for Haiti earthquake relief efforts, as net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the American Red Cross, and fans will be able to donate onsite and through text messages. Tickets are reportedly sold out for the event.

Oracle software millionaire Larry Ellison, who earlier this year purchased the Indian Wells event, will make his own donation, and according to officials the event will be broadcast live around the world and streamed live on the internet at usta.com and other websites, with broadcasters donating television and satellite time.

“Oracle is proud to participate in fundraising efforts to benefit the relief efforts in Haiti,” Ellison said. “It is impressive to see this remarkable line up of athletes work together to raise much-needed funds for Haiti. Our hope is to hold an event that supports relief efforts and continues to raise the visibility for how Haiti needs the world’s help.”