PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem gave his full support to scandal-hit Tiger Woods Thursday and said the public would now root for him as an underdog. Finchem, who said he had not spoken to his fellow American since this month's allegations of extra-marital affairs began, said in a television interview with CNBC he did not know when Woods, who has taken an indefinite break, would return to golf. “It could be weeks, it could be months, it could be an extended period of time,” said the commissioner. “I have not spoken to him since all this started. “I have observed his request for privacy and all of us support his decision to step away. I think it was the right thing to do.” Finchem said he had spoken to the 14-time major winner's representatives but did not elaborate. Although the commissioner said that being without the world number one was “not a positive thing” he said that, in financial terms, he was more worried about the recession than the loss of his top box office draw. “I think people recognize this is an individual's personal life. The game of golf, it was bigger than Jack Nicklaus when Jack was dominating the game, it is bigger than Tiger when Tiger is dominating the game, it will go on,” said Finchem. “Tiger is going to retire at some point, Jack retired. I think people will look at the number one athlete of the decade and pull for him, now really in an underdog position, to deal with these issues, to come back, to win golf tournaments and to go back to stimulating young people and fans to the sport. “Certainly that is what I look forward to and not just because it is good business. “I see a guy who is so dedicated, so focused and brings it every time he tees it up and is focused on a (charitable) foundation that has done great things for thousands and thousands of kids,” said Finchem. “I don't think all that gets washed away because of these personal issues. I just hope for his sake and his family's sake, a beautiful family, that things can work out for him to come back.” Finchem later said on a conference call with reporters he was confident supporters of the tour would keep a sense of perspective. “One of the reasons this stands out is because we haven't had a bunch of these kind of issues on the PGA Tour,” he said. “I think the corporate community, our volunteers, people who play the game of golf, these people have common sense, they are intelligent people and I think when they look at this they will keep it in balance. “I'm not suggesting his popularity level is going to soar again, I don't know where that is going to be,” added Finchem. “But I think people are going to want him to succeed, want him to deal with his issues, want him to come back having dealt with those issues and I think you will find eventually a significant amount of support.” The commissioner was dismissive of the suggestion the scandals might have uncovered an unsavoury side to the tour. “The notion players are out there partying is just absurd ... you can't play at this level and have those kind of issues,” said Finchem. “Players take it seriously, they are focused on physical fitness. These are family people, they come to us, already 95 percent college educated, we just don't have any of those issues.”
