Since undergoing a pair of back surgeries in the fall, Tiger Woods has made it clear he has no definitive timetable for his return to competitive golf. It's a whole lot of sit-and-wait for Woods -- first, waiting to begin more strenuous rehab, then to get his swing back, then to play again.
So who knows when Woods will play again? Golf Digest Spain claims to know. The magazine reported Monday that Woods will play in the 2016 Open de Espana.
The Spanish Open is currently slotted for the week after the Masters, but all of the details were to be determined when the European Tour released its 2016 schedule. Golf Digest Spain reports the date has changed, moving to the week before the Masters, March 31-April 3, and claiming the Catalunya resort will host the event.
The magazine reports Woods will be paid a $2 million appearance fee for playing in the event, with the European Tour footing the bill as a bit of a peace offering after giving the 2022 Ryder Cup to Italy.
Skeptical, we emailed Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, who confirmed in an email to Golf News Net that there's no truth to the Golf Digest Spain report. However, the problem is that Dec. 28 is Spain's equivalent of April Fools' Day. So, Golf Digest Spain was having some fun. Well played.
In retrospect, it should have been a clear red flag that the European Tour, Open de Espana and Real Federacion Espana de Golf had no information either on Woods' appearance or a change in dates to the tournament on their respective websites.
And now you know, don't believe anything you read in Spain on Dec. 28.
