Tiger Woods keeps PGA in suspense over return to golf

The US PGA's tour commissioner has admitted he still does not know when Tiger Woods will return to golf, despite speculation he could return as early as next week. Woods, who is on an extended break from the sport after admitting to cheating on his wife, Elin, has been pictured practising, and could return to action at the Tavistock Cup next Monday, the Arnold Palmer Invitational later the same week or the Masters starting on 8 April. But Tim Finchen, who would nominally have to approve Woods's return, was unable confirm a comeback date. "Tiger's indicated to us he will give us notice because we know we've got some preparation to do," said Finchem. "But I don't have a specific date when he's going to come back." Woods has been seen working with his coach Hank Haney, further fuelling expectations of a return before or at the Masters. "If he wasn't going to play for six months, why would Hank be there?" said the Australian player Robert Allenby, a Florida neighbour of Woods. "I look at that as maybe he's getting ready." The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill is run by Woods's management company, International Management Group, but the tournament director Scott Wellington said he has not heard from the player's agent, Mark Steinberg. "At this point, we still don't know," he said. "Tiger has until next Friday to commit." Woods has won at Bay Hill six times, from 2000 to 2003 and again in 2008 and 2009, and it is the only PGA Tour event he has never missed since turning professional. Speculation has also centred on the Tavistock Cup, a made-for-TV exhibition team event between PGA talent from rival Florida clubs Isleworth and Lake Nona. Mark O'Meara, a colleague, friend and neighbour of Woods, said last week that he "wouldn't be surprised" to see Woods play the 22-23 March competition.