PGA Tour boss upbeat despite Woods' absence

Golf:PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem gave his full support to scandal-hit Tiger Woods today and said the public would now root for him as an underdog, Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps expressed sympathy for Woods and said he fully understood what it was like to make mistakes.

Finchem, who said he had not spoken to Woods since this month's allegations of extra-marital affairs began, said in a television interview with CNBC he did not know when Woods, who has taken an indefinite break, would return to golf.

"It could be weeks, it could be months, it could be an extended period of time," said the commissioner. "I have not spoken to him since all this started.

"I have observed his request for privacy and all of us support his decision to step away. I think it was the right thing to do."

Finchem said he had spoken to the 14-times major winner's representatives but did not elaborate.

Although the commissioner said that being without the world number one was "not a positive thing" he said that, in financial terms, he was more worried about the recession than the loss of his top box office draw.

"I think people recognise this is an individual's personal life. The game of golf, it was bigger than Jack Nicklaus when Jack was dominating the game, it is bigger than Tiger when Tiger is dominating the game, it will go on," added Finchem.

"Tiger is going to retire at some point, Jack retired. I think people will look at the number one athlete of the decade and pull for him, now really in an underdog position, to deal with these issues, to come back, to win golf tournaments and to go back to stimulating young people and fans to the sport.

"Certainly that is what I look forward to and not just because it is good business.

"I see a guy who is so dedicated, so focused and brings it every time he tees it up and is focused on a (charitable) foundation that has done great things for thousands and thousands of kids," said Finchem.

"I don't think all that gets washed away because of these personal issues. I just hope for his sake and his family's sake, a beautiful family, that things can work out for him to come back."

Finchem later said on a conference call with reporters he was confident supporters of the tour would keep a sense of perspective.

"One of the reasons this stands out is because we haven't had a bunch of these kind of issues on the PGA Tour," he said.

"I think the corporate community, our volunteers, people who play the game of golf, these people have common sense, they are intelligent people and I think when they look at this they will keep it in balance.

"I'm not suggesting his popularity level is going to soar again, I don't know where that is going to be," added Finchem.

"But I think people are going to want him to succeed, want him to deal with his issues, want him to come back having dealt with those issues and I think you will find eventually a significant amount of support."

The commissioner was dismissive of the suggestion the scandals might have uncovered an unsavoury side to the tour.

"The notion players are out there partying is just absurd ... you can't play at this level and have those kind of issues," said Finchem.

"Players take it seriously, they are focused on physical fitness. These are family people, they come to us, already 95 per cent college educated, we just don't have any of those issues."

Phelps, meanwhile, speaking on the eve of a two-day meeting between the United States and a European team, said: "He (Woods) is going through a hard time right now.

"It can't be easy but I just wish him the best for himself and his family," said at a news conference at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

The 24-year-old American, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last year, was forced to apologise early this year after being photographed inhaling from a pipe used to smoke marijuana. No charges were laid.

"I'd be the first to admit I've made a lot of mistakes both in and out of the pool," said Phelps.

"But of the mistakes I've made I've never made the same mistake again. I've become a much stronger person and I've helped other people not make the same mistakes."

Phelps, who will be competing for the first time in a British pool, confirmed he planned to take part in the 2012 London Olympics but would not reveal what schedule he was planning.

With a sense of irony Woods was voted Athlete of the Decade by US sports editors, four days after he announced a break from golf to try to save his marriage.

He got 56 of the 142 votes in the Associated Press poll, followed by Lance Armstrong and Roger Federer.

More than half of the ballots were returned after the car crash at Woods's Florida mansion. The award is recognition for a sportsman who has single-handedly dominated his sport throughout the decade.

Woods, 33, has won 64 tournaments worldwide since 2000, including 12 majors. His overall tally of 14 leaves him four behind Jack Nicklaus.

The award is likely to be of little comfort to Woods, who has been engulfed in a media storm since the crash on November 27th with reports emerging that his wife Elin Nordegren is set to file for a divorce.