Clearly, these aren't great romances; a lot of them are pros, or at least dedicated amateurs.

The more interesting question is: Who taught Tiger how this complicated Las Vegas-centric system works?

John Katsilometes reports in the Las Vegas Sun:

For Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, the whole tawdry package is an early holiday gift.

And the man at the center is Tiger Claus.

”This is great for the city because they spell the city’s name right, L-A-S V-E-G-A-S,” Goodman [a former mob lawyer] said at the ceremonial lighting of the official Las Vegas Christmas tree on Fremont Street. ”It’s great for the city to have its name out there, as long as they spell it right. Las Vegas, Nevada.”

Goodman was speaking to the Tiger Woods conundrum, in which the golfing legend has been linked to as many as 10 women (11, if you count his wife, Elin Nordegren), including at least three with ties to Las Vegas.

The original suspected mistress, former Tao nightclub hostess and Turnberry Place condominium owner Rachel Uchitel, has denied an affair with Woods. Uchitel has retained raptor-like attorney Gloria Allred to represent her legally and, we suspect, spiritually. Others with Vegas links are Vegas cocktail server Janine Grubbs and Light Group VIP hostess Kalika Moaquin, who has worked at the Bank and Bare Pool Lounge. As my man URL, Ubiquitous Robin Leach, has been energetically blogging and tweeting, Woods has been known to chip around such Vegas fun spots as the The Mansion at MGM Grand, Bellagio and, we suspect, Binion’s.

Asked if this all doesn’t fly in the face of our city’s promissory slogan, ”What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas,” Goodman shook his head.

”No, it’s a great reminder that you can have fun in Las Vegas,” Goodman said. ”Adult fun, that it’s a playground for adults. It’s salacious, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Let’s see. ”There’s Nothing Wrong With That” could be an effective ad campaign. Sort of has a nice ring to it … but not a wedding ring.

MJ