Well, let us be honest, Tiger Woods is unlikely to win 'Husband of the Year' in the near future but how do you rate his chances of winning the Masters when he returns to competitive golf after nearly five months away from the game?
Tiger Woods is one of the most recognisable figures in the world, known to sports fans and non-sports fans alike. As an outstanding golfer, he's no stranger to media attention but after a very public scandal, he knows the eyes of the world will be on him for different reasons. With media and public attention focussed on his personal life, will he be able to remain focussed on his golf?
AUGUSTA
In terms of career victories, Woods is in third position in the all-time PGA Tour rankings, with only Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus ahead of him, so his ability as a player is beyond question. However, he has twice before come back to the game after a lengthy lay-off and with mixed results. In 2006 his performance suffered after the death of his father but in 2008 he won, despite playing on a seriously injured knee. This highlights how important it is for competitive sports players to be mentally prepared as well as physically prepared before making a return to play.
Mind Control
American golf writer Ian O'Connor believes that Tiger Woods' return to golf will create unprecedented interest in this year's Masters at Augusta. With this being the case, it begs the question why Woods should choose such a major event to make his return? According to former golf pro Arnold Palmer, Augusta is in fact a wise choice as the venue affords the organisers, and the players, a great deal of control over external factors that might affect the game.
"Augusta is the one place in the world where you can really have control. They will control everything from the crowds to the situation that will be facing Tiger" - Arnold Palmer
A mentally prepared competitor knows that worrying about external factors out with their control is counterproductive. But, with the potential for intrusive media interest, Tiger Woods no doubt views Augusta as his best opportunity to focus on his game without distractions.
With external factors under control, Woods will then need to utilise a number of sports psychology techniques to remain in control of internal factors.
Visualisation
Tiger Woods will have played every hole on the course countless time through visualisation. He will know the best course of action to take under every set of circumstances - no shot he plays on the day will cause a surprise (not to him anyway!), allowing him to feel in total control of every aspect of his performance. He will not only have seen every shot in his mind's-eye, he will have felt every tiny detail of his body position through every swing he takes, and he will have heard the sound of the ball as it rolls into the cup each time.
Positive self-talk
When you already know that not everyone in the crowd is on your side, positive self-talk becomes invaluable. An ability to boost your own confidence and to keep yourself motivated, even in a potentially negative environment, allows you to remain totally focussed on the job in hand.
Positive mental attitude / Winning mentality
Tiger Woods knows what he is capable of, he knows he has prepared, he knows he is ready, and he knows he is in winning form. Positive thoughts lead to positive actions - he'll be letting his actions do the talking.
"I can promise you he's not going to come out if he is trying to play his way into shape, especially at Augusta - he will be ready, mark my words" - Jay Townsend, BBC golf pundit
Having recently apologised to just about everyone on the surface of the earth - and their dog - he will be out there making sure he doesn't owe himself an apology for playing anything other than his best.
Sports Psychology and Visualisation - Minds-Eye of the Tiger AUGUSTA