Tiger Woods will be putting it all on the line with his memoir, BACK

Right now, most golf aficionados would say that Tiger Woods is the second-best golfer of all time, right behind Jack Nicklaus, who has won a record 18 major championships, three more than Tiger Woods. But, Woods, being right behind Nicklaus in the championship hunt, has more fans and is more famous than Nicklaus and Woods would probably be number one on more lists of golf fans and casual observers lists for the Mount Rushmore of Golf.

Additionally, most golf fans would probably say there is not much they don’t know about Tiger. But, apparently, not, as publisher HarperCollins has acquired world rights to a new book, BACK, the first-ever memoir authored by Tiger Woods.

According to Tiger Woods’ camp, BACK is a candid and intimate narrative of an outsize American life: from growing up a celebrated golfing prodigy to shattering centuries-old racial barriers as a young pro; from rising to unprecedented fame and global icon status to battling devastating injuries and personal issues; from enduring years of physical anguish to mounting an astonishing comeback at 43 years old, culminating with the 2019 Masters, where his thrillingly impossible victory captured the imagination and hearts of people around the world.

Woods said, “I’ve been in the spotlight for a long time, and because of that, there have been books and articles and TV shows about me, most filled with errors, speculative and wrong. This book is my definitive story. It’s in my words and expresses my thoughts. It describes how I feel and what’s happened in my life. I’ve been working at it steadily, and I’m looking forward to continuing the process and creating a book that people will want to read.”

This memoir is the first and only account directly from Woods, with the full cooperation of his friends, family, and inner circle.

The deal was negotiated by Executive Editor Shannon Welch at HarperOne and Judith Curr, President and Publisher, HarperOne Group. The book will be published across all HarperCollins locations worldwide.

“We are thrilled and proud to work with Tiger on what I believe will be the publishing event of the decade,” said Curr. “Tiger will reclaim his own story and legacy and it’s a story for the world over.”

Welch, who will edit the book, said, “Meeting with Tiger, speaking with him at length about the process of writing a memoir, I was delighted to discover how much he has to say, and how ready, how eager, he is to say it. He’s at a place in his career and his life where he’s thinking deeply about his story, the highs and the lows, and how it all relates and connects. I think the result will be extraordinary.”

At press time, there was no confirmed release date for BACK.

The Kaepernick Effect; Odell Beckham Jr. - Josh Norman; Ryan Fitzpatrick measuring up? Will Derrick Rose Trial impact Knicks? Will the Nets Bring the Buzz

In this episode, the What's The 411 Sports team of Keisha Wilson, Mike McDonald, and Amsterdam News reporter, Vincent Davis are talking about:

Quick Bites

Miami Heat team president, Pat Riley, says Chris Bosh will no longer play for the Miami Heat
Kevin Garnett is retiring this year after 21 years in the NBA
Tom Brady living a good life on suspension; he's staying in shape with his supermodel wife, Gisele Bundchen, and paling around with Jim Harbaugh on the campus of his alma mater, the University of Michigan

What's Poppin'!

• NFL Week 3
• Is it Tom Brady or Bill Belichick?
• The Kaepernick Effect

What's The 411Sports New York Sports Report

• NY Jets
• NY Giants
• Odell Beckham vs. Josh Norman
• NY Mets and the MLB Wild Card Race, can the Mets pull it off?
• Derrick Rose Civil Trial and its Impact on the Knicks
• Jeremy Lin is a marketing buzz magnet. Will the Brooklyn Nets Create Some Buzz this Season?

On The Bench

On the What's The 411Sports bench this week are Steve Clevenger and Mike Ditka.

Steve Clevenger on the Bench

Seattle Mariners catcher Steve Clevenger is on the bench because on his Twitter comments that called the Black Lives Matter protestors and President Obama pathetic and further declared that "everyone involved should be locked like animals". The Seattle Mariners dismissed Clevenger for the rest of the season. Clevenger has since issued an apology.

Mike Ditka on the Bench

Mike Ditka is on the bench for making the following comments:

"I have no respect for Colin Kaepernick – he probably has no respect for me, that's his choice. My choice is, I like this country, I respect our flag, and I don't see all the atrocities going on in this country that people say are going on."

Ditka added, "I see opportunities if people want to look for opportunity – now if they don't want to look for them – then you can find problems with anything, but this is the land of opportunity because you can be anything you want to be if you work. If you don't work...that's a different problem."

Perhaps, these two, Clevenger and Ditka belong in the What's The 411Sports Dog House.

In Memoriam

We also bid a sorrowful farewell to Florida Marlins catcher Jose Fernandez; the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, and actor Bill Nunn, who is best known for his role as Radio Raheem in the Spike Lee movie, Do The Right Thing.

WATCH VIDEO: Tiger Woods' back injury is derailing his comeback

What's The 411Sports reporter, Chris Graham is calling Tiger Woods the Kobe Bryant of the course (golf).

Do you think Tiger Woods is on a descent?