Golf-Jaded-looking Woods finally answers questions (Reuters)
March 22, 2010
* Downbeat Woods talks of “disgusting behaviour”
* Few details on scandals
* Golfer says “working” on his marriage
(adds further quotes)
By Simon Evans
MIAMI, March 21 (Reuters) – Looking jaded and despondent,Tiger Woods finally faced questions on Sunday about the sexscandal that turned him from the biggest brand in sport to thedisgraced target of hundreds of jokes.
“It was hurtful, but then again you know what, I did it,”he said. “I’m the one who did those things and looking back onit now with a more clear head, I get it.
“I can understand why people will say these things becauseyou know what, it was disgusting behavior. As a person, it’shard to believe that was me, looking back on it now.”
In separate five minute interviews with the Golf Channeland ESPN, broadcast simultaneously after surprisingly littleadvance promotion, Woods gave away little new information butwas strong in condemnation of what he called his “disgustingbehaviour”.
Woods’ only previous comments on his admitted infidelitieshave come in the form of written statements and his ‘noquestions’ televised apology last month.
But having announced he is to return to golf at the U.SMasters next month, the world number one, decided to give thetwo U.S sports channels a chance to put him on the spot at hisgolf club in Isleworth, near Orlando.
Woods made frequent reference to the treatment he isreceiving but declined to confirm exactly what kind ofrehabilitation he is undergoing, saying that it was “private”.
He was also tightlipped about the details of the caraccident on Nov. 27, 2009 that began the media frenzy aroundhis marriage.
“It’s all in the police report,” he said. “Beyond that,everything’s between Elin and myself and that’s private.”
Asked to define the state of his marriage to his Swedishwife, Woods said that too was private.
“We’re working on it and it’s a process that will remainprivate between her and I,” he said.
But he was more expansive when asked to discuss how hislate father Earl would have reacted to his behaviour.
“He’d be very disappointed in me. We’d have numerous longtalks. That’s one of the things I miss, I miss his guidance, Iwish I could have had his guidance through all this to have himhelp straighten me up. I know he would’ve done it.
“I can’t say on air (what he would have said) but hewould’ve been very direct. Basically (he’d say), you need toget your life headed in the right direction again.
“I was living a life of a lie, I really was. And I wasdoing a lot of things that hurt a lot of people. And strippingaway denial and rationalisation you start coming to the truthof who you really are and that can be very ugly.
“But then again, when you face it and you start conqueringit and you start living up to it, the strength that I feel now.I’ve never felt that type of strength,” he said.
Woods did not discuss details about his affairs, he was notasked about any of the women he has been linked with, but saidthat: “just one is enough and obviously that wasn’t the case”.
Given his frequent references to privacy, Woods was askedwhy he chose to make a public apology.
“I hurt a lot of people, not just my wife. My friends, mycolleagues, the public, kids who looked up to me.”
Woods added the rehabilitation treatment had been adifficult experience.
“It was really tough to look at yourself in a light younever want to look at yourself, that’s pretty brutal.”
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on thisstory email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10