THE personal life of Tiger Woods remained under the spotlight yesterday, with fellow American golfer Anthony Kim backing the world number one to remain a potent force in the game when the great man returns to action in the new year.
Kim is this week competing in the Chevron World Challenge in California – an event promoted by 14-time major winner Woods.
Kim said: “If you know Tiger, you know that the guy does some pretty amazing things. You never know. He could very well come out of this a better golfer and a better man.”
Woods withdrew from the field following the events of last weekend.
“Whatever the problems may be and all the speculation is, you wish the best for him,” said Kim.
“I know he’s done so much for me personally as I’ve grown up throughout the years and even when I’ve been on tour, that I’m just hoping and wishing the best for him. I’m not saying he did or didn’t do anything, but everyone makes mistakes and he’s human like everyone else. Everyone has their bad days.
“You have to understand that if he did or didn’t make a mistake that he’s a human being and he should be treated like one.”
Despite the developments of the past week, PR guru Max Clifford is certain Woods’s earning potential will not be affected in the long term.
Clifford said: “The overview in terms of Tiger Woods, in a year’s time, provided he’s still playing golf the way he has for many, many years, he’ll still be doing just as much in terms of sponsorship and earning just as much money.”
Japan Tour money leader Ryo Ishikawa made a disappointing start to the season-ending Nippon Series JT Cup as the teenager shot an eight over 78 in the opening round.
The 18-year-old endured a torrid outing at Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club, carding a double bogey on the fourth and a triple bogey on the seventh before bogeying the ninth to reach the turn in 41.
Ishikawa fared marginally better on the back nine with three bogeys while picking up just one shot on the 17th to share last place with money list rival Yuta Ikeda.
Australian Brendan Jones shares the first-round lead at one under with Hiroyuki Fujita and Masaya Tomida of Japan and South Korean Kim Kyung-tae. Defending champion Jeev Milkha Singh was two shots off the pace in a share of 10th at one over.