Thorpe Released from Prison; Looks to Champions Tour Return


Jim Thorpe is out of prison. The 61-year-old has been in the minimum-security Federal Prison Camp on Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., since April 1 for failing to pay income taxes.

As part of his release, Thorpe agreed to repay more than $2 million in back taxes and interest to the IRS. In addition to a prison term of a year, from which he was granted early release Monday, his sentence included two years of supervised release and 200 hours of community service.

Thorpe plans to return to the Champions Tour, where he has 13 victories. But that can't happen until March 31, when his suspension from the over-50 circuit ends. Before then he is expected to work at a local golf course and live in a halfway house, followed by home sentencing.

Earlier this month, Champions Tour president Mike Stevens told Golfweek: "He can start playing the minute he's able. Thorpie has always been a great personality - great with fans and pro-am partners and sponsors.

"I'm sure he'll be equally as good when he comes back. We'll welcome him back with open arms."