LONDON - This nonsense about where LeBron James signs, in truth, is simply harmless fun. Except to James. And the team that signs him. And the teams that want to sign him - can anyone say New York? - and don't.

Over here, they may not know a bounce pass from a bouncer in a pub, but they, meaning the media, meaning we, do know how to go for the jugular.

Over here the only American athlete who makes waves, is also the one who makes millions - and seemingly will have to pay that figure - Tiger Woods.

U.S. journalists for the most part either are soft or sympathetic. Unlike Mr. Woods himself, we don't carry grudges. According to the litany, we are quick to forgive.

Especially when it comes to people who can break a tackle or break 65 on a tough course.

Since the revelations, the rehab and the return, the questions tossed at Tiger in places such as Augusta and Pebble Beach have had to do with his less-than-impressive golf, not his indiscretions.

Journalist types this side of the Atlantic however, are, like their papers, edgy and testy. They get personal. And if Tiger, who will be in Scotland next week for the British Open wasn't aware how he would be treated, without deference to his former status, he knows now.

The first indication the British press saw Tiger as tabloid material instead of as a fallen hero came the Tuesday of U.S. Open week when Mark Reason, golf correspondent from the Daily Telegraph in London, showed courage his American counterparts did not.

"Since someone's personal life can affect his professional life,'' or something similar to that, was Reason's query, "what is happening with you and (estranged wife) Elin?''

An angry Tiger snapped at Reason, "None of your business.'' Perhaps, but all of Britain has made it the country's business. And it's going to get worse for Mr. Woods, who, unfortunately, brought this on himself.

Sunday, two major British papers had huge articles on Tiger, neither on the sports page. The Sunday Telegraph story, accompanied by a photo of Elin and Tiger, she wearing a red T-shirt with white lettering "SU Cardinal,'' for his alma mater, Stanford, was headlined, "Tiger Woods to give wife ($100m) divorce settlement.''

The Mail on Sunday, one of the numerous tabloids, carried two pages about the night, last November, Tiger rammed his car into a fire hydrant in front of his Florida home, the incident that changed his world. And ours. That story was headlined: Tiger's neighbour: ‘I saw him grab wife.'

It's a prelude to what here is called The Open Championship, a week from now on the Old Course at St. Andrews, where golf or a game resembling golf has been played for, oh, 700 years or so. And where Tiger won in both 2000 and 2005.

Then, what some might consider unusual, Woods joined other players after Sunday's final day of the AT&T outside Philadelphia, where for the first time in 11 years he finished a regular PGA Tour tournament without a single round under par, on an overnight charter to Ireland.

There, for enormous amounts of guaranteed money, they played Monday and Tuesday in the charity J.P. McManus Pro-Am, a tournament hosted by an Irish billionaire who likes golf and horse racing.

Jet-lagged, Tiger shot 79 the first day but responded with a 69 Tuesday. He was embraced by the fans, who followed him in large numbers out of both loyalty and curiosity. He was not embraced by the press.

This wasn't America. The questions were not about breaking par but about breaking marriage vows.

When asked whether his liaisons with other women had been "worth it'' - no, you never heard that in the press room at the Masters - since they cost him both his marriage and some endorsements, Wood stopped diplomacy.

He did answer, "I think you're looking too deep into this.'' Then Tiger all but shut it down. He was no longer Mr. Nice Guy, or even Mr. I'll-say-something-because-my-sponsors-are-making-me'' guy.

Instead, he gave staccato mini-sentences, more testimony than sporting conversation.

"There are times in one's life,'' he said with the one answer that lasted more than four words, "when things get put in perspective, one being when my father passed (2006), and obviously what I've been going through lately.''

The McManus tournament was a small invitational, with only a few media. The Open will be be an open forum, dozens of journalists not feeling any particular compassion for Woods. It may be ugly.

Tiger, interestingly, has returned to Florida, instead of remaining on this side of the Atlantic to prepare for St. Andrews. He said he wants to spend time with his two young children, now living with Elin.

Maybe they can talk about something frivolous, like where LeBron James will end up.