So now we get word on the first day of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship that Tiger Woods will make an appearance on Friday to speak "to a small group of friends, colleagues and close associates," presumably to clear the air, apologize, make announcements, you know, the sort of thing he should have done long ago probably.

We found this out this afternoon when the Golf Channel interrupted coverage of today's action to bring us this "special report." The special report, of course, could only mean two things: somebody really famous had died, or Tiger Woods was going to come public.

My first thought when I heard this is that everybody is going to want to watch this public appearance (which will be televised by the Golf Channel), whether Woods really says anything or not. After three months of speculation following the infamous driveway crash and subsequent sex scandal, we all want to hear what he's going to say.

It's just too bad it's not in primetime. It could break the all-time TV ratings record.

In the meantime, Accenture, which cut Woods from its sponsorship deal, is the victim of this sideshow. Not only did the Woods announcement take away from a good day of opening matches at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain in Marana, Ariz., but it's really going to steal the thunder come Friday.

Except, this "public appearance" could be as stale as his Web site statements. He isn't taking questions, and only a few media will be allowed. How many things he chooses to clear up will be entirely up to him.

Here's what it says on Woods' Web site: "Tiger Woods will be speaking to a small group of friends, colleagues and close associates at 11:00 a.m. EST on Friday at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Tiger plans to discuss his past and his future, and he plans to apologize for his behavior. While Tiger feels that what happened is fundamentally a matter between him and his wife, he also recognizes that he has hurt and let down a lot of other people who were close to him. He also let down his fans. He wants to begin the process of making amends, and that's what he's going to discuss"

"His remarks will be open to a press pool for live coverage. It is NOT a news conference."

My guess is that he's only doing this because he's planning to start playing real soon. And this appearance, while it might contain some apologies, will probably serve more as a warning that when he does come back in the near future, he will not answer any questions with regard to the scandal. So don't even bother, evil media; he won't be talking -- just like before.

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