dan9999
04-05-2010, 06:55 PM
Woods says he's 'better person' after rehab
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 5, 2010 2:51 p.m. EDT
Augusta, Georgia (CNN) -- In his first news conference since scandal broke, Tiger Woods said Monday that the six weeks he spent in rehab for sex addiction changed him.
"I was in there for 45 days, and it was to take a hard look at myself -- and I did," he told reporters at the Augusta National Golf Club as he prepares to return to golf at the Masters. "And I've come out better -- certainly a much better person for it than I was going in."
Woods also indicated that he hopes to woo back sponsors who have left him in droves.
"Do I understand why they dropped me? Of course," he said. "I've made a lot of mistakes in my life."
He added, "Hopefully, I can prove to the other companies going forward that I am a worthy investment, that I can help their company, help their company grow and represent them well. I felt like I was representing companies well in the past, but then again I wasn't doing it the right way because of what I was engaged in."
Woods said he will continue the therapy.
He admitted he was nervous to play in a tournament again, saying, "I didn't know what to expect."
"I've done some things that are just horrible. And for the fans to really want to see me play golf again, that felt great it really did," he said.
His recent experiences have led him to realize that he had underappreciated golf fans, he said.
Woods said the reception he has received at Augusta "couldn't be nicer."
"The encouragement that I got -- it just blew me away," he said. "What a great day, today."
Woods also apologized to the other players, whom he said the media have "bombarded" with questions about him.
"I certainly apologize to all of them for having to endure what they've had to endure over the past few months," he said.
Returning to golf at the Masters, Woods is ending his self-imposed exile stemming from a November car accident outside his home and his subsequent admission of extramarital affairs amid a media frenzy.
Woods began practicing at 8 a.m. ET at the Augusta course, dressed in a striped shirt and slacks and flashing an occasional smile.
While he delivered a carefully managed statement in February to a small, handpicked crowd and has given two one-on-one interviews, Monday afternoon's news conference was Woods' first in months. The interest surrounding it had reached nearly presidential proportions.
Woods' public woes began with an early-morning crash November 27 outside his Orlando, Florida-area home when he suffered minor injuries after striking a fire hydrant and tree with his Cadillac sport utility vehicle.
Woods -- one of golf's biggest names who had always maintained a squeaky-clean image -- was not required to talk to police about the wreck and declined to talk with investigators on several occasions. Eventually, he was cited for careless driving.
The wreck occurred days after the tabloid National Enquirer alleged Woods was having an affair with a New York nightclub hostess. The woman has denied the allegation, but several others have come forward to claim that they had sexual relationships with the fiercely private Woods, who is married to former model Elin Nordegren. The couple have two children.
Woods' alleged mistresses have released voice mails and text messages they claim are from the golf champion.
In February, Woods said he was in inpatient therapy for 45 days from the end of December for "issues," which he did not explain, and acknowledged multiple extramarital affairs.
During the 13 minutes Woods delivered that statement on television, interest was such that trading volume on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange slowed, then picked up after he finished speaking.
The controversy prompted several major sponsors to suspend or drop their relationships with Woods, who also apologized to his business partners for his behavior.
More recently, Woods' kindergarten teacher has demanded an apology from him for allegations that she ignored a racial attack on 5-year-old Woods at an Anaheim, California, school.
Maureen Decker, now retired, said she wants a "private and public apology to put my mind at ease and set the record straight."
"The mental challenge that is facing Tiger Woods as he returns to Augusta National and then afterwards at other PGA Tour events, we can assume, later on in the 2010 season, is probably something that no other golfer has ever faced before," said David Dusek, deputy editor of Golf.com.
However, Woods' choosing to return to the Masters may be a strategic move as the organizers of the tournament have traditionally kept a tight rein on the media and spectators. Woods, a four-time Masters champion, can expect to be shielded and protected to a certain degree.
"This makes sense," said Chris Verdery, a golf pro at the River Golf Club in the adjacent town of North Augusta, South Carolina. "People really love him here in Augusta. He's been wonderful for the Masters, the city of Augusta, and everybody is excited to have him back."
Woods hopes to claim his 15th victory in a major tournament at the Masters, which tees off Thursday.
His caddie, Steve Williams, has said Woods would not be returning to the game unless he felt he could win. Some leading bookmakers have him as the favorite to prevail.
But Dusek said, "I think it is a little bit much to sort of assume that he is just simply going to walk on, after really not having any competitive play for the better part of four months, walk into the season and be able to physically dominate the way that we assume Tiger Woods always does.
"I would look for him to improve and get better as the season goes on. I would not be surprised if he wins golf tournaments in 2010, but I do not think he can come out and win the Masters right away."
And the focus -- at least for the media -- will be on the spectacle rather than the sport.
"TMZ, Entertainment Weekly and People magazine, along with 'Extra,' are ... typical calls I don't get, come Masters week," said Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver.
Still, Woods' devoted fans are looking forward to seeing him play once more.
"I love his golf, and that's what we're here for, that's what I like to see, and I really don't care about his personal life," said Masters ticket holder Dick Benck.
Others said they are sympathetic to what the golf icon has been through.
"That kind of humiliation is very hurtful, and I'm sure he wakes up and wonders, 'What the hell was I doing?' " said another ticket holder, Michael O'Rourke.
CNN's Adam Anshell, Terry Baddoo and Samantha Hayes contributed to this report.
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 5, 2010 2:51 p.m. EDT
Augusta, Georgia (CNN) -- In his first news conference since scandal broke, Tiger Woods said Monday that the six weeks he spent in rehab for sex addiction changed him.
"I was in there for 45 days, and it was to take a hard look at myself -- and I did," he told reporters at the Augusta National Golf Club as he prepares to return to golf at the Masters. "And I've come out better -- certainly a much better person for it than I was going in."
Woods also indicated that he hopes to woo back sponsors who have left him in droves.
"Do I understand why they dropped me? Of course," he said. "I've made a lot of mistakes in my life."
He added, "Hopefully, I can prove to the other companies going forward that I am a worthy investment, that I can help their company, help their company grow and represent them well. I felt like I was representing companies well in the past, but then again I wasn't doing it the right way because of what I was engaged in."
Woods said he will continue the therapy.
He admitted he was nervous to play in a tournament again, saying, "I didn't know what to expect."
"I've done some things that are just horrible. And for the fans to really want to see me play golf again, that felt great it really did," he said.
His recent experiences have led him to realize that he had underappreciated golf fans, he said.
Woods said the reception he has received at Augusta "couldn't be nicer."
"The encouragement that I got -- it just blew me away," he said. "What a great day, today."
Woods also apologized to the other players, whom he said the media have "bombarded" with questions about him.
"I certainly apologize to all of them for having to endure what they've had to endure over the past few months," he said.
Returning to golf at the Masters, Woods is ending his self-imposed exile stemming from a November car accident outside his home and his subsequent admission of extramarital affairs amid a media frenzy.
Woods began practicing at 8 a.m. ET at the Augusta course, dressed in a striped shirt and slacks and flashing an occasional smile.
While he delivered a carefully managed statement in February to a small, handpicked crowd and has given two one-on-one interviews, Monday afternoon's news conference was Woods' first in months. The interest surrounding it had reached nearly presidential proportions.
Woods' public woes began with an early-morning crash November 27 outside his Orlando, Florida-area home when he suffered minor injuries after striking a fire hydrant and tree with his Cadillac sport utility vehicle.
Woods -- one of golf's biggest names who had always maintained a squeaky-clean image -- was not required to talk to police about the wreck and declined to talk with investigators on several occasions. Eventually, he was cited for careless driving.
The wreck occurred days after the tabloid National Enquirer alleged Woods was having an affair with a New York nightclub hostess. The woman has denied the allegation, but several others have come forward to claim that they had sexual relationships with the fiercely private Woods, who is married to former model Elin Nordegren. The couple have two children.
Woods' alleged mistresses have released voice mails and text messages they claim are from the golf champion.
In February, Woods said he was in inpatient therapy for 45 days from the end of December for "issues," which he did not explain, and acknowledged multiple extramarital affairs.
During the 13 minutes Woods delivered that statement on television, interest was such that trading volume on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange slowed, then picked up after he finished speaking.
The controversy prompted several major sponsors to suspend or drop their relationships with Woods, who also apologized to his business partners for his behavior.
More recently, Woods' kindergarten teacher has demanded an apology from him for allegations that she ignored a racial attack on 5-year-old Woods at an Anaheim, California, school.
Maureen Decker, now retired, said she wants a "private and public apology to put my mind at ease and set the record straight."
"The mental challenge that is facing Tiger Woods as he returns to Augusta National and then afterwards at other PGA Tour events, we can assume, later on in the 2010 season, is probably something that no other golfer has ever faced before," said David Dusek, deputy editor of Golf.com.
However, Woods' choosing to return to the Masters may be a strategic move as the organizers of the tournament have traditionally kept a tight rein on the media and spectators. Woods, a four-time Masters champion, can expect to be shielded and protected to a certain degree.
"This makes sense," said Chris Verdery, a golf pro at the River Golf Club in the adjacent town of North Augusta, South Carolina. "People really love him here in Augusta. He's been wonderful for the Masters, the city of Augusta, and everybody is excited to have him back."
Woods hopes to claim his 15th victory in a major tournament at the Masters, which tees off Thursday.
His caddie, Steve Williams, has said Woods would not be returning to the game unless he felt he could win. Some leading bookmakers have him as the favorite to prevail.
But Dusek said, "I think it is a little bit much to sort of assume that he is just simply going to walk on, after really not having any competitive play for the better part of four months, walk into the season and be able to physically dominate the way that we assume Tiger Woods always does.
"I would look for him to improve and get better as the season goes on. I would not be surprised if he wins golf tournaments in 2010, but I do not think he can come out and win the Masters right away."
And the focus -- at least for the media -- will be on the spectacle rather than the sport.
"TMZ, Entertainment Weekly and People magazine, along with 'Extra,' are ... typical calls I don't get, come Masters week," said Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver.
Still, Woods' devoted fans are looking forward to seeing him play once more.
"I love his golf, and that's what we're here for, that's what I like to see, and I really don't care about his personal life," said Masters ticket holder Dick Benck.
Others said they are sympathetic to what the golf icon has been through.
"That kind of humiliation is very hurtful, and I'm sure he wakes up and wonders, 'What the hell was I doing?' " said another ticket holder, Michael O'Rourke.
CNN's Adam Anshell, Terry Baddoo and Samantha Hayes contributed to this report.