Ryan: So Tiger Woods is coming back to golf for the Masters, and news outlets have been buzzing about it. So first, do you think his apology is sincere? Is he really sorry for what he did?

Daniel: I couldn’t care less about his apology or if he actually meant it. The only thing I care about when it comes to Tiger is if he’s playing golf. I watch every tournament that he plays. What makes me hate this entire situation is that his infidelity has caused him to miss so many tournaments. I really think that the public needs to get over the fact that Tiger is a cheating bastard and go back to enjoying his phenomenal talent on the golf course.

Ryan: I agree, but I don’t think that the apology itself is worthless. Our society is fascinated with celebrities who fall from grace, and saying sorry is always an important issue. From a moral sense, we all know that Tiger’s actions were abhorrent, but in studying the man, I thought his apology was genuine; guarded, as always, but genuine. I don’t think that it’s irrelevant altogether like you do, but as far as the sports aspect is concerned, I do agree that it doesn’t matter in that realm. So let’s talk about that very aspect: Can he win the Masters?

Daniel: When Tiger steps onto the golf course, the attendance at the event skyrockets and the television ratings soar. His very presence is necessary for the continued success of the sport. His fall from the top of the world was laughable and sad all at the same time. While I don’t care about celebrities’ or athletes’ personal lives, Tiger’s transgressions took him away from the sport and tainted the PGA. Not to mention that his time away from golf has hurt his chances at a fifth green jacket. Despite practicing at his home course, and his recent training sessions at Augusta National, Tiger is going to be shaking off the rust in front of giant crowds in the opening round. As much as I hope he does, I can’t see Tiger winning it this year.

Ryan: But don’t forget about how much of a competitor Tiger is. He is the type to win at all costs, to be endlessly critical of his performance until it is as close to perfection as it can possibly be. I feel that he is among the fiercest competitors in modern sports, like Michael Jordan was in the NBA (Jordan would get pissed off losing trivial games of billiards, let alone basketball games). With that kind of drive, I wouldn’t be as quick as you are to count him out of the Masters. Don’t you think this entire thing might serve to make him even MORE motivated? For nearly his entire career, he has never really had to prove himself, because we all already saw him as the best. Now, for the first time, he does have to prove himself. Does that help him or hurt him?

Daniel: I don’t question Tiger’s motivation or drive; that has never been a question in my mind. But when Tiger steps up to the tee for his first drive in front of what is guaranteed to be a very large crowd, he is not going to be the beloved golfer that he is used to being. I don’t expect Tiger to be verbally assaulted, but I do expect a different atmosphere and I feel that this, combined with his rust, may be the blockade to the major. Remember, he hasn’t played his best in majors lately, not even winning one in 2008.

Ryan: I agree completely that the atmosphere will be different. I concur that he is not the beloved icon he once was (and may never be again). But I don’t think he will let this hamper his performance. He not only has to prove himself as a person but also as a golfer, and despite his long hiatus from PGA Tour play, he’s still Tiger Woods, and he can still do incredible things with a golf ball. You’re the one who said that you don’t care about the personal issues, that the moral transgressions should be completely separate from the game of golf. So don’t you think that they will be separate for him?

Daniel: I said I personally don’t care about his transgressions. If I were on the course with him, I would cheer him on as much as I would if he were a faithful husband. But, like you said, fans enjoy celebrity drama as much as they love watching the sport. I just can’t see Tiger taking the convoluted feelings from the crowds and converting them into a successful run. Granted, if Tiger were to win, I would be ecstatic. I intend to watch and cheer for him; I hope to see him in the hunt on championship Sunday. But my personal opinion is that it is too soon.

Ryan: I completely disagree; I think it’s absolutely the right time. The issues swirling around his return are inevitable. If he came back in 2020, everyone would still treat it the exact same way: It would still be sensationalized by the media and we’d still be asking if he can play golf at a high level. Therefore, as far as his career is concerned, sooner is better than later, especially because of the work he has to do in repairing his damaged public reputation.

Daniel: I guess I will wait to see how he performs. I like Tiger; I admire his passion for the game, I admire his unparalleled talent and I just love seeing him succeed. I am glad to have him back, and I can only hope that after the Masters, win or lose, the public will stop mentioning his scandal. I really just don’t want to hear about it. Let’s watch and enjoy golf. Let’s not be more interested in his personal life than we are in the national health care debate. Let’s move past the time when Tiger Woods made the cover of the New York Post 20 consecutive times, beating out Sept. 11. Win or lose for Tiger, America needs to get on with this star’s life.

Ryan: Agreed. But that’s gonna be made quite a bit easier if he can put together a respectable performance at the Masters. His drive to put those public demons to rest, as you mentioned, can put him over the top. Let’s just hope he keeps his focus on GOLF holes from now on.