Padraig Harrington believes the negative publicity surrounding Tiger Woods will not harm the game of golf itself
Irishman insists game is in a strong position
Padraig Harrington believes the negative publicity surrounding Tiger Woods will not harm the game of golf itself.
World number one Woods has dominated the front pages since crashing his car outside his house on November 27.
He has since admitted to "transgressions", as American tabloids printed allegations that he has been involved in a string of extra-marital affairs.
There have been suggestions that the revelations about golf's biggest star could have an effect on the game, but Harrington said: "I suppose things like this have happened before at times and we move on.
"I know this may be saying it from inside the sport, but golf is constantly the number one sport with the moral ethics and things like that. So I think we're in a very strong position going forward."
Return
But the three-time major champion anticipates an awkward time for Woods when the American does return to the course.
"The next big thing for Tiger is when he comes back out," Harrington added.
"He probably has six or seven weeks to sort things out and figure things out and then he'll have a barrage when he comes back out, probably in San Diego.
"What does it mean for golf? It is very much a private matter, He wasn't speeding and driving under the influence and he didn't hurt somebody else.
"So it is very much now a personal thing. Yes, he's going to have to deal with it, and that's the nature of the fact of being the number one sportsman in the world, highly profiled.
"You have to take it with the territory."
