Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer in the history of the world, is likely going to come back sooner than expected. Well, that's if you listen to the language and hints by Steve Williams, Woods' caddie and a secret source close to the golfer.

In his public statement last week, Tiger was especially vague about the date of his proposed return. "I do plan to return to golf one day," said Woods. "I just don't know when that day will be."

Woods also said, though, "I don't rule out that it will be this year."

"As Tiger pointed out in his statement, he has one more visit to the place where he is receiving his counseling," said Williams. "Then I would imagine his focus might change a little bit from then. Hopefully, it will be his final visit to the place he is receiving treatment and then his focus might turn a little back to his professional life, which is playing golf."

Using terms like "one more visit," and "final visit" imply that Williams expects to get back to work very soon, along with Tiger Woods. Also, the unnamed source says that Tiger's visit is going to be "earlier than expected."

Here are some quick reasons that Tiger will surely be back on the golf course very, very soon:

1) I will be shocked if Tiger misses the Masters: Tiger Woods wants to win the Masters tournament very badly. He is able to let go of nearly every distraction in his complex world to focus on winning that important tournament, so he can surely put this controversy to the side. The Masters is in April, so I expect Tiger to get out of that clinic faster than you can say the words "publicity stunt." He will enter at least one tune-up tournament and then show up in April to torch the golfers who've had the nerve to criticize him during his ordeal. Tiger is out for blood, and he has the ability to draw it.

2) This is Tiger's year to snag some major championships: Tiger has spent his entire life learning how to win major championships. His lifelong goal is to match the "untouchable" record of 19 majors, held by the great Jack Nicklaus, a man Tiger has been chasing since he was 3 years old. This year presents a special opportunity for Tiger to gain significant ground on Jack, since three out of four of the major championships are being played on courses that Tiger has dominated in the past. If Tiger misses more than two majors this year, I will check myself in to an insane asylum. He's not going to miss this chance to inch closer to golf immortality.

3) Tiger loves the game too much: If there is anything Tiger enjoys more than you-know-what, it would be playing the game of golf. The best way to get through the loss of his other mistresses is to go back to his original love. That love is not named "Elin Nordegren." Tiger was practically born on the golf course. That is his place of solitude and where he has spent the majority of his life. The golf course will be Tiger's choice of therapy during this difficult time.

4) The sooner we get back to it, the sooner the public will forget: Once the world starts to love Tiger the champion again, they will forget about Tiger the sex addict (which I argue he is not). His sexual exploits will be analyzed no differently from those of Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton and other public figures that the world continues to love. Tiger's brand will be rebuilt, and once again, the "cheddar" will flow like the Mississippi river. Winning golf tournaments will make him great once again, for the words "Tiger Woods" and "golf" have become one in the same. The PGA Tour can't live without him.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.