• PGA Tour

Ballesteros says Tiger's comeback will save golf

ESPN staff
March 24, 2010
Tiger Woods is in practice ahead of his Masters return © Getty Images
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Seve Ballesteros is delighted that Tiger Woods is returning to golf, because he thinks the comeback will save the sport from "serious difficulties".

Woods will make his first PGA Tour appearance since November when he competes at the US Masters, and Ballesteros feels that the world No. 1 has a great chance of winning the April event.

"His return is good for the golf world and I am very happy about it. I think that Tiger Woods takes over so much that if he wasn't around, if he had retired, the golf world would be in serious difficulties," Ballesteros said.

"If he decides to compete in the Masters it is because he knows he has a good chance. He is very used to playing long off the tee and he knows the golf course very well, so I think he has a great chance to win."

Ballesteros, who is fighting brain cancer, is himself planning a return this year - at a special four-hole event at St Andrews in July prior to the start of the Open Championship.

Darren Clarke echoed Ballesteros' sentiments, suggesting that Tiger's return will be welcomed by the golfing fraternity. "He is the best player on the planet and we all want to compete against the best player in our sport," he said.

"That is unquestionably Tiger. He is very popular among his peers and everyone wishes him well. I'm sure he will be right there in the mix."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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