USPGA TOUR commissioner Tim Finchem has given his full support to Tiger Woods and said the public would now root for the player as an underdog.

Finchem, who said he had not spoken to his fellow American since the scandal broke, 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.”

Although the commissioner said 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.

“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.”

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.”

And US Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps has expressed sympathy for Woods and said he fully understood what it was like to make mistakes.

Phelps (24), speaking on the eve of a two-day meeting between the US and a European team in Manchester, said: “He 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.”

Phelps 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,” he said. “But of the mistakes I’ve made I’ve never made the same mistake again. I’ve become a much stronger person.”