Time's Up for Tiger Woods, Tag Heuer

Consulting/outsourcing firm cites 'circumstances' in ending deal

(AP) - Global consulting and outsourcing firm Accenture is ending its sponsorship of Tiger Woods, saying the golfer is "no longer the right representative" after the "circumstances of the last two weeks." Today's announcement was the company's first statement since allegations of Woods' infidelity surfaced. The company is the second key sponsor to pull away this weekend: Gillette said yesterday it won't feature Woods in its ads for an unspecified period. More»

TAG Heuer backs scandal-plagued golfer; Golf Digest backs off

(NEWSER) - Golf Digest has distanced itself—temporarily, the magazine says—from Tiger Woods, in a sign that his escapades have seriously damaged the golfer’s cachet. Woods’ name will remain on the masthead, but his instructional columns will be on hiatus as long as he is. The move is shocking because a beleaguered athlete’s own sports community is usually a main source of support, the Los Angeles Times observes. More»

Stick a fork in him ... he's done

(NEWSER) - Tiger Woods didn’t win a major this year, and he'll "never win another major championship again," posits Drew Magary in New York . Five reasons why Tiger Woods is finished:

1. There is no point: The point was to smash Jack Nicklaus’ record to "wild cheers," "breathless platitudes," and a "hug from his wife and kids." Now, even if he does do it, that jubilant moment won't happen. “He's a failure as a human being, and all the major titles in the world aren't gonna make a goddamn difference.”

Forbes list of most disliked athletes has a new name: Tiger Woods

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick has been out of federal prison for almost a year , but the Eagles quarterback still has some image-polishing to do: For the second straight year, he tops the Forbes list of most disliked people in sports . New for 2010 are Ben Roethlisberger and how-the-mighty-have-fallen poster child Tiger Woods, the only non-football figure in the top five:

1. Michael Vick: Disliked by 69% of 1,100 poll respondents, "Vick was a popular and dynamic player before the dog-fighting episode" and "still appears poised for a recovery with the public."

Scandal-battered golfer gets in some early practice for the Masters

(NEWSER) - A day before his eagerly awaited press conference, Tiger Woods hit the links at Augusta National this afternoon. Sporting what appear to be the beginnings of a goatee, the scandal-plagued superstar unexpectedly arrived around 1pm and played nine holes with Mark O'Meara. "He's one of the toughest guys mentally I've ever met," said O'Meara, a close friend who won the tournament in 1998. "I think he'll do well this week." Practice rounds for the Masters, which begins Thursday, formally start tomorrow. More»