Woods refuses to have hang up with AT&T

Perhaps this really is a new Tiger Woods. Not only did the world No 1 break the habit of a career yesterday and commit to two events weeks before their entries deadline, but one of the sponsors of those tournaments dropped him in the wake of his sex scandal.

While it is no surprise that Woods will make his third comeback appearance at the Players Championship in a fortnight, his early entry into the PGA Tour's first stop in Philadelphia on 1 July did come as something of a shock. Woods hosted the three previous AT&T Nationals, in Washington, but the company ended its multi-million dollar endorsement in January. But that slight will not stop Woods teeing it up in a tournament which will continue to aid his charitable foundation. "I'm really looking forward to defending my title," Woods said. "Philly is a great sports town."

It was inconceivable Woods would have missed the Players, but the fact he has also signed up to play in next week's Quail Hollow Championship and now the AT&T too, shows his intention to play his normal schedule.