Woods admits shortcomings, to a point

AUGUSTA, Ga. - So, when was the last time media members needed a ticket to get into a news conference? Or began taking seats 45 minutes before the scheduled start?

Did we mention that those positioned along the aisle were reminded - several times - to make sure their legs didn't stick out, so as not to trip the featured speaker?

Otherwise, it was a fairly normal 37 minutes for the roughly 200 folks who gathered in the Augusta National media center yesterday afternoon, at least once Tiger Woods made his way through the front door instead of the traditional players' entrance behind the podium.

Never underestimate the power of a live television feed.

Anyway, in his first mass interview in 5 months, the four-time Masters champion fielded 48 questions, ranging from drug use to the past to the future to injuries to legacy to expectations, and any variety of stuff in between. Several inquiries were short, some grew into two-parters. A few responses were brief as well, while others even teetered on expansive.

Occasionally, the exchanges were actually about golf, though inexplicably nobody bothered to ask him what club he hit into the 13th green during his practice round.

For many, it wasn't enough. And it might never be. Woods, 34, who has been away from golf since November, after revelations of repeated infidelities turned extremely public, still won't discuss details of his personal life. Don't hold your breath waiting.

For better or worse, this was the next step for the man who is larger than the sport itself. If you choose not to believe a word of it, that's certainly understandable, given what's happened.

Nonetheless, it is his story. Which ensures the vast majority will at least pay attention.

"It's been an incredible experience so far here," Woods said. "I missed the competition. I missed seeing the guys out here, a lot of my friends I haven't seen in a while . . . It made me [realize] how much I have underappreciated the fans the past few years. That was just an incredible reception today [during his practice round].

"As far as getting out there, I was definitely more nervous [than doing the Q & A]. That first tee, I didn't know what to expect, I really didn't. It's one of those things where I've never been in that position before. To be out there in front of the people where I have done some things that are just horrible, for the fans to really want to see me play golf again, I mean, that felt great.

"Today was a little different. Normally, I kind of focus on getting ready [for the tournament], but I kind of took it in a little bit more, sort of more than I have in a long time. And it felt really good."

He reiterated that his actions damaged a bunch of people, and he's now doing his best to restore some semblance of order to his world.

"I'm certainly a much better person for it than I was going in," said Woods, who spent 45 days in a rehabilitation facility dealing with his issues. "I fooled myself. When I [saw] the full magnitude of what I had done, it's pretty brutal. I don't take that lightly. I'm trying as hard as I possibly can, each and every day, to get better and stronger. And if I win [more] championships along the way, so be it."

Doesn't sound like the bloke whose mission was to someday surpass Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles.

To the surprise of hardly anyone, his wife Elin isn't with him. Maybe she didn't want him to be here, either. Perhaps it's what Tiger needed to do at this point in his journey back.

"I haven't looked forward to that [first] tee shot in a long time, not like this," he acknowledged. "It feels fun again. You know, that's something that's been missing. Have I been winning, have I been competing, have I been doing well? Yeah, I have. I've won numerous times the last few years. but I wasn't having anywhere near the amount of fun. Why? Because look at what I was engaged in. The fact that I won golf tournaments, I think, is irrelevant.

"When you live a life where you're lying all the time, life is not fun. And that's where I was. Now that's been stripped away, and here I am. And it feels fun again."

Obviously, the last 5 months were anything but, even if his ordeal was self-inflicted.

"My [two young] kids, going forward . . . I'm going to have to explain this all to them," Woods said. "Having to go off there into treatment, that was a very difficult time. I missed my son's first birthday. And that hurts. That hurts a lot. I vowed I would never miss another one after that. I can't go back to where I was. I want to be part of my son's life and my daughter's life. That day was something I regret, and I probably will for the rest of my life."

You want details? Tiger finally revealed that he suffered a "busted-up" lip requiring five stitches and a pretty sore neck in the infamous Thanksgiving night single-car accident outside his Florida home that really set this whole circus in motion.

When asked about his relationship with Canadian physician Anthony Galea, who was arrested on charges of selling an unapproved drug, Woods denied ever taking any illegal substance. He did acknowledge that Galea administered platelet-enriched plasma treatments to help him recover from knee surgery in 2008. Woods also acknowledged that during his recovery he tore his right Achilles' tendon, which was news to the world. Federal investigators have contacted his agent, Mark Steinberg, about those dealings with Galea, and Woods said he'll cooperate fully if called upon. In addition, Tiger confirmed he has taken two prescription drugs, the sleep aid Ambien and the painkiller Vicodin, over the years.

For the most part, he appeared relatively at ease in this setting, which wasn't remotely the impression when he made his statement of apology before family and friends in February.

That scene looked anything but real. This seemed more like a conversation, albeit guarded at times.

It was meant only to be a necessary start back in the proper direction. Where he goes from here is pretty much on him.

It's not supposed to be about sympathy, but second chances. Because there likely wouldn't be a third.

"As far as my peers, it's amazing how many hugs I've gotten from the guys," Woods said. "This is only Monday. I'm actually surprised by that, how well received I've been. I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing what I've done for a very long time.

"When I gave my speech, I had no intentions of playing golf in the near future at all. And then I started hitting balls and more balls and I started getting the itch again. And Hank [Haney] came down and we started working again and that felt great. It felt like old times."

So the immediate goal is . . . ?

"I'm going to go out there and try to win this thing," he said with a smile. "Nothing's changed."

If that were so, then why the need for a ticket? *