Wednesday was one of the more bizarre sports news days I’ve seen in a while! Between Spartan basketball players fighting, the on-going Lance Armstrong saga, and the Manti Te’o girlfriend news – there was plenty to buzz about! While I plan to address those other topics as additional details unfold, the story of Tiger Woods wanting Elin Nordegren back really peaked my interest. Will she give him another chance? Should she?

Before I get into their specific situation, I want to talk about cheating. It’s something I’ve always struggled to understand. Although I’ve never been a cheater, I’ve been hurt by being cheated on. Why do people cheat? Are they just bored or curious? Is it to punish another person? Or is it a deep psychological problem? There is a part of me that believes in the phrase ‘once a cheater always a cheater’ – but I also know of circumstances where that’s not the case and people do actually change. I honestly believe that people cheat because there is something missing in their current relationship so they seek it elsewhere. They may always have the feeling of needing something more, or could become satisfied with what they have and stop looking elsewhere. As we all know, the grass isn’t always greener…

Now, back to Tiger and Elin. The golf and sports world were both rocked in November of 2009 when what seemed to be a simple accident turned into the unveiling of a ugly cheating scandal. In the months that followed, we learned more about his infidelity and Elin got about a sixth of his fortune when they divorced. The losers: Tiger and their children. Tiger not only lost his family, but appeared to lose his edge that made him so good and hence his performance at golf tournaments has been erratic at best, awful at worst. Although the divorce settlement stated that the kids had to stay in Florida, Tiger obviously sees them less now and vice versa.

Lately, Tiger has gotten back to playing and we haven’t really heard much about his personal life – until now. Amid rumors that he’s dating Lindsay Vonn, reports have surfaced that he proposed to Elin on Christmas and that she’s considering it! As the story goes, they have apparently already rekindled their relationship on a physical level and Tiger is still in love with her. He’s had some fun, but he’s realized what he had with her was meaningful and he wants that back.  How much does he want her back? Enough that he offered a $200 million dollar anti-cheating clause to show his commitment. I would be impressed, but Elin wants more – to the tune of $350 million. Tiger apparently didn’t even balk at the number but I’m sure it has his accountant on edge for sure. I’m guessing it’s because he wants this back:

Obviously, we don’t know the validity of this story and Tiger won’t address it, but lets pretend for a minute that it is true. Is this more about love or money? Should Elin take him back? Personally, I find Tiger Woods very attractive –and would assume she feels the same way since she married him in the first place. I understand her wanting a bigger stake in his fortune to show his commitment to her – and it’s a nice chunk of change if she was to be embarrassed again. At the same time, she has to love him still to even be considering this. Let’s be honest, she could get most any guy she wants, yet she’s letting him hang around in her life more than is the case for many divorced couples. I may be a softie here, but if she still loves him and he’s willing to put that kind of cash on the line to show he can be trusted, I would give him another chance to be together as a family. Worst case for her, she’s still good looking and way richer if it goes wrong. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got his edge back on the course too once his heart is whole again. The risk is higher for Tiger, but the potential emotional rewards for both of them and their kids are great.

They are a good looking couple for sure. We played a round of golf at Sandy Lane in Barbados, the setting for Elin and Tiger’s fist wedding, and it was a beautiful! I can only imagine where the re-marriage could take place!