SO we will have a Tiger after all in the Big Cat capital of Britain.

Those of you who couldn’t give a hoot about the Ryder Cup should perhaps skip on – I am covering a multitude of topics this week - but it’s only fitting to begin with the confirmation that Tiger wants to come to Newport.

Amazingly, it’s not a night out in Zanzibar that appeals to the greatest golfer of all-time, rather the opportunity to play in the Ryder Cup when it hits Newport, the Usk Valley or simply ‘Gwent’ (a reference I know one of our readers will enjoy).

It’s a big boost to all concerned and there is no point pretending otherwise, a Tiger-less Ryder Cup is less special for his absence.

No sportsman on the planet transcends his sport to the degree Tiger does and the opportunity to watch the best in the world is enticing for any golf fan.

Confirming with a throwaway line that the Ryder Cup is on his agenda, Woods was the centre of the sporting world this week in his press conference at Augusta ahead of the Masters.

What a farce it was, with neither Tiger or the boys of the press to blame.

Pre-arranged questions, no one willing to rock the boat in case they are thrown out of Augusta. Why bother at all with a press grilling if so many key subjects can’t be addressed?

Tiger admits to using painkillers and the debate goes no further, despite him being the biggest advocate of mandatory dope testing in the history of golf? Come on! Tiger won’t reveal why he spent over 40 days in rehab because it is ‘private’? Why have the bloody thing in the first place then!

Tiger Woods’ critics aren’t given a stage to speak, but the guy representing Tigerwoods.com is permitted to ask a question… the list goes on and on.

But in fairness to Tiger, he’s merely taking advantage of the absurd situation of the media not being able to do their jobs properly because of the potential for career repercussions (in this instance, being thrown out of Augusta).

Point in case, what does John Terry really think on losing the England captaincy and the fallout from his for some, betrayal of best friend Wayne Bridge? We don’t know. Because the way sport operates, no-one is prepared to put Terry on the spot, because a ban from Stamford Bridge is just as detrimental to media careers as a ban from Augusta.

Until that changes, we will continue to be paid lip service by the world’s top stars. Tiger returning to golf for the Masters, the most vigorously managed sporting event in the world – whose stuffed shirt organisers even limit the amount of the tournament to be shown on TV – looks like a genius decision.

It was a bittersweet night at Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday with County powering to 97 points in the Blue Square South and relegating their rivals in the process.

It was hard not to feel for the hosts and I really enjoyed the County fans’ rendition of ‘We’ll meet again’ by Vera Lynn in the closing stages. Humility and humour, it was the very best of football supporters.

Less pleasing of course is the news that the police are still appealing for witnesses and hoping to identify nine men in association with damage on a train after County played Weymouth.

It is of course worth remembering that EVERY club in Britain has a minority of so-called supporters who do nothing but damage to their club and it’s pleasing that this is very much an isolated incident in a season where County’s fans, like their players, have covered themselves in glory.

Over 600 travelled to Weymouth, what a shame that a handful have ensured negative headlines. At this point I would normally say that County must do all they can to stamp out the idiotic handful who do nothing but damage to the club, but genuinely, I believe they already do everything they can.

When a coin was thrown against Swansea, no one saw a thing. What can the club do about that?

This may be Newport County in the headlines for the wrong reasons, but I firmly believe the club should be nothing but proud of their efforts to ensure the safety of all supporters is paramount. As someone who travels to a lot of away games, I can state as a fact that most clubs enjoy hosting Newport, not to mention the extra revenue they bring.

I would recommend a trip to watch Newport at any time – for all the family - and next Saturday’s clash with Dover is a great chance for any new supporter to see what all the fuss is about.

Best of luck to a pair of men looking to launch a new era in Welsh boxing this week, Gary Lockett and Gavin Rees.

Gavin will fight for the first time since winning Prizefighter on the undercard of the Audley Harrison bill (live on Sky Sports on Friday) and Lockett, rather than Enzo Calzaghe, will be in his corner.

It’s an exciting opportunity for Lockett to step out of the shadows and I have no doubt he has every single skill required to be a huge success as a manager and a trainer. Rees, well, his talents are only too obvious and I am hearing very positive things about his attitude and diet since joining Lockett.

And finally, just a word to one of our readers who was less than fond of my statement that I ‘saved the Dragons.’ Essentially telling me to head back over the Severn Bridge, and to give a ‘local’ talent a try.

Isn’t it lucky for Hal Luscombe, Andy Marinos, Sonny Parker, Chris Horsman and the like that the Welsh rugby side doesn’t share that attitude! I am now qualified for Wales on residency twice over. I expect the call from Gat any day…