Tiger Woods apologizes to fellow golfers during press conference

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AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods apologized Monday to fellow golfers who were bombarded with questions about his private life, and says the reception of the Augusta National fans ‘blew me away.’ During an extraordinary 35-minute news conference, Woods said ‘nothing’s changed’ on the golf course and that he still expects to win the Masters.

Woods said his wife, Elin, would not be attending the Masters and also revealed that he had five stitches in his mouth after the infamous November car crash that led to sordid details of his private life being exposed.

Woods played a practice round for the Masters with Fred Couples, and Jim Furyk joined them at the 13th hole. The crowd gave a tepid but respectful response, and Woods even stopped to sign autographs on the way to the practice range.

Woods said he felt it was ‘incredible’ that fans still cheered for him.

He also apologized to his fellow PGA players for any distractions that the media reaction to his ongoing sex scandal may have caused.

Woods, who said that during his break from the PGA Tour he missed the competition and being around his friends, said the most difficult part was ‘having to look at myself in a light I never wanted to look at myself.’

Woods acknowledged spending 45 days in rehabilitation ‘to take a hard look at myself. And I’m a better person coming out than I was going in.’

Asked the nature of his rehabilitation therapy, Woods said, ‘That’s personal, thank you,’ and added that his therapy would be ongoing.
Woods said he was crushed by missing his son’s first birthday and vowed he never would miss another.

‘Going forward, I need to be a better man than I was before,’ he said.

-- From wire service reports