Tiger Woods: I must become a better person

13 April 2012

Tiger Woods today marked his first visit to Britain since a tawdry sex scandal led to the break-up of his marriage by revealing he is attempting to "become a better person".

Woods, at St Andrews in Scotland to play in this week's Open Championship, refused to confirm reports that divorce from his wife Elin, the former Swedish model who is mother of his two young children, had already been finalised.

Nor would the 34-year-old American, looking tired and unusually gaunt (today, right), comment on his links with Dr Anthony Galea, a controversial Canadian who is being investigated by federal authorities in the United States over his alleged use of a performance-enhancing drug.

Woods did his best to appear confident and at ease but it was clear that respected golf legend Tom Watson's observation that the player needed to clean up his act had struck a chord.

He said: "I'm trying to become a better player and a better person. All that really matters is that I have two beautiful kids, and I'm trying to be the best dad I can possibly be, and that's the most important thing of all."

But Woods insisted he could contend for a 15th Major title despite the furore over salacious tales of affairs with a number of women.

Several blue-chip sponsors have dropped the world No1 because of his tainted image and there is concern over the reception he will receive from packed galleries once The Open gets under way on Thursday.

Yet Woods claimed none of this will have an impact on his game.

He said: "I'm here to play a championship and this is The Open Championship at St Andrews. This is as good as it gets. It's the home of golf. I'm just like every other player in this field, really looking forward to getting out there and playing The Open Championship."

Speaking at a packed media conference, where policemen and members of his own security team mingled with journalists and photographers, Woods would not be drawn on whether a third win over the famous Old Course — he 2005 — would offer some kind of road to redemption.

He replied: "I would like to win no matter what. It would be nice. It really would be nice. There is a lot of work ahead of me but to win here is certainly one of the bigger highlights I've ever had in my career, because it is the home of golf. It's amazing how many great champions have won here and to be a part of that history is a pretty neat feeling."

As for the galleries, Woods went on: "Scottish golf fans have been great to me over the years."

Woods also announced that he would not be using the putter with which he has won 13 of his 14 Majors because of the lack of speed on the Greens. "I've always struggled on slower greens and the one I've gone to comes off faster and I've had to make very little adjustment," he said.

Meanwhile, Ian Poulter hit his first shot at St Andrews out of bounds yesterday but still backed himself to win The Open.

The flamboyant 34-year-old said: "I just like this course. I feel my game is in shape and I just want to get going.It's just an amazing place and I love coming here. The course is fantastic, as green as I've ever seen it."

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