Tiger Woods is expected to stay out of the public eye through the holidays, but the door is open for him to make his first public appearance shortly after the new year — perhaps on “Saturday Night Live.”

“SNL” announced that Woods’ close friend Charles Barkley is going to be the first host of 2010, returning to hosting duties for the first time in more than 16 years. Could Woods appear with him?

A comedy show sounds like a flippant return to the spotlight for the troubled golfer, but sources close to him on tour say not to rule anything out.

“He’s a little incredulous at the way he’s being judged,” said one. “He thinks his golf game should be all people care about. If he went on ‘SNL’ it would definitely change the conversation. And although (going on the show) would seem like a strange choice, it would be hard for something Tiger does to come as a surprise at this point.”