Golf-Transcript of Tiger Woods interview with the Golf Channel (Reuters)
March 22, 2010
NEW YORK, March 21 (Reuters) – Transcript of Tiger Woodsinterview with the Golf Channel released on Sunday. Thereporter is Kelly Tilghman.
Q: Tiger, you’ve been a master of control your entire life,how did things get so out of control?
Woods: Going against your core values, losing sight of it.I quit meditating, I quit being a Buddhist, and my life changedupside down. I felt entitled, which I had never felt before.Consequently, I hurt so many people by my own reckless attitudeand behavior.
Q: Were there moments you thought you should stop, butdidn’t?
Woods: Yeah, I tried to stop and I couldn’t stop. It wasjust, it was horrific.
Q: For a man who’s so disciplined physically andpsychologically, why couldn’t you say no?
Woods: I don’t know, now I know. It’s part of what Ilearned in treatment, being there for 45 days you learn a lot.You strip away the denial, the rationalization and you come tothe truth and the truth is very painful at times and to stareat yourself and look at the person you’ve becomeyou becomedisgusted.
Q: The Masters is a demanding stage on its own, let alonefor a return of this magnitude, how do you know you’re mentallyprepared for this?
Woods: I’m excited to get back and play. I miss the game. Imiss playing, I miss competing. I wasn’t ready to play inTavistock or play in Bay Hill, I expressed that to Joe [Lewis,Tavistock Group chairman] as well as Arnold [Palmer]. I want toplay in these events but I just wasn’t ready. I started toolate with my preparation. Hank and I are starting to work nowand start to get it going.
Q: How do you know you’ll be ready for the Masters?
Woods: I’m starting to get my feel back. I know how to playthe golf course and that helps a lot. I just got to play it.
Q: How will your therapy affect your 2010 schedule? I’massuming you’ll have more in-patient therapy ahead.
Woods: Yeah, I will have more treatment, more therapysessions. As far as my schedule going forward, I don’t knowwhat I’m going to do, Kelly. Last year I didn’t know because ofmy knee; it was still uncertain, and this year, with all thethings that I’ve done I don’t know what I’ll be doing either.That to me is a little bit bothersome, too, in a sense that Idon’t like not knowing what to do, but what I know I have to dois become a better person and that begins with going to moretreatment.
Q: You went from becoming recognized as the greatest golferin the world to becoming a punch line. How did that make youfeel?
Woods: It was hurtful, but then again you know what, I didit. I’m the one who did those things and looking back on it nowwith a more clear head, I get it. I can understand why peoplewill say these things because you know what, it was disgustingbehavior. As a person, it’s hard to believe that was me,looking back on it now.
Q: America was concerned when the world’s greatest golferwas lying on the ground with no shoes at 2:30 in the morning,bleeding, what happened that night?
Woods: It’s all in the police report, they investigated itand they have it on public record; there’s a lot of stuffbetween Elin and I that will remain private and that’s aboutit.
Q: How did you crash the car?
Woods: I wasn’t going very fast, but unfortunately, I hit afew things.
Q: It’s been reported that members of your team, your innercircle were involved in your misdoings, is it true?
Woods: That is not true; it was all me. I’m the one who didit, I’m the one who acted the way I acted, no one knew what wasgoing on. I’m sure if more people would have known in my innercircle they would’ve, they would’ve stopped it … or tried toput a stop to it, but I kept it all to myself.
Q: What is the state of your marriage with Elin right now?
Woods: We’re working on it and it’s a process that willremain private between her and I.
Q: If your father were here today and looked back on theselast four months, what would he say to you?
Woods: He’d be very disappointed in me. We’d have numerouslong talks. That’s one of the things I miss, I miss hisguidance, wish I could have had his guidance through all thisto have him help straighten me up. I know he would’ve done it.
Q: What do you think he would say?
Woods: Can’t say it on air but he would’ve been verydirect. Basically said, you need to get your life headed in theright direction again.
Q: For the 12-year-olds and the parents out there wholooked at you as a role model, what do you have to say to themto make them believe in you again?
Woods: It’s going to be over time. It’s going to be myactions over time. I’m trying to become a better person eachand every day. The proof in the pudding is over time and that’swhat I’m trying to do. I will continue to do that.
Q: How will you explain this to your children, one day whenthey’re old enough to understand?
Woods: I will have that sit-down talk and it won’t be justone time, I know that. It will be numerous times and I takefull ownership of it, I did it. No one else did; it was just meand that’s a responsibility that I will have. I will talk to mykids, for however long they want to talk about it. That is aconversation that will need to be had.
Q: Based on all that has transpired, what do you want yourlegacy to be when all is said and done?
Woods: Just like I wanted before. I felt that golf was avehicle for me to help a lot of people. My dad had always saidsomething that I never really quite understood until thesetimes. In order to help other people, you first have to learnhow to help yourself. Going into a treatment center for 45days, I learned a lot. I learned how to help myself and that’sthe way I can help others down the road.
Q: I noticed you’re wearing a bracelet, can we see it?
Woods: Yeah.
Q: What does it mean?
Woods: It’s Buddhist, it’s for protection and strength andI certainly need that.
Q: When did you start wearing it?
Woods: Before I went into treatment.
Q: Will you be wearing it during the Masters?
Woods: Absolutely.
Q: For the rest of your life?
Woods: Absolutely.
Q: Tiger, thank you.
Woods: Thanks, Kel.
(Transcript courtesy the Golf Channel. To query or commenton this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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