I was blown away,says grateful Tiger

The world number one was quizzed at a news conference for the first time since crashing his car into a fire hydrant outside his Florida home on 27 November.

The incident sparked a series of revelations about the American’s private life and led him to admit he had “had affairs and cheated”. Woods,who will make his comeback at Augusta following a five month lay-off from competition,looked tense and nervous as he faced the assembled journalists.

He apologised to his fellow players for the distractions caused by the revelations about his private life. “I know the players have been bombarded by questions and I hope after today they can be left alone,” he said. “I apologise to them for having to endure what they have over the last few months.”

First practice

During his first practice round at Augusta since his temporary absence from the golfing world,Woods got a big hug from an old friend,along with some encouraging words for his return to competition. “This is the place where you belong,” Mark O’Meara said he told Woods as they walked down the 10th fairway on the final day of practice before the gates to Augusta National Open. “This is what you love to do.”

Prior to this press conference,Woods has kept public comments to a minimum. He issued two statements on his website about his infidelity. He spoke for 13-and-a-half minutes to a small group of family and friends on February 19 at PGA Tour headquarters. He announced he was returning to golf. And he gave a pair of five-minute interviews to TV networks.

“There’s always going to be questions,” O’Meara said. “But he’s made a statement about what he’s done. He’s admitted his guilt,and now it’s time for him to make things right. He’ll figure it out. He’s pretty tough.”

Woods has run into a few players during the last month of practice at home in Florida. He dipped his toes in the water on Sunday afternoon,a lazy day of practice when only club members,employees and media are allowed inside the gates,and only players and their caddies are allowed on the course. He strolled onto the new practice range at Augusta National,passing two reporters and offering a playful jab as he paused to shake hands. He chatted with Paul Casey while waiting for caddie Steve Williams to bring his bag,which has only the “TW” Nike logo. He spoke on the putting green with Jim Furyk. Casey wanted to keep the conversation private,saying only that it was good to see Woods on the golf course again. “It’s where I’m used to seeing him,” Casey said. “All of a sudden he appeared behind me. He was all business as usual — hit 10 balls and go play.”

‘It’s nice to have him back’

Most of the players have not seen him since he won the Australian Masters on November 15,or when he played in Shanghai the week before. Furyk had not seen him since they celebrated a Presidents Cup victory on October 11. “He’s probably here a little earlier than normal,” Furyk said. “I’ve never seen him here on a Sunday. Generally,it’s nice to have him back and I can’t wait until he’s out here and I don’t have to answer any more questions about him.”

There will be awkward times for many. Woods was friendly with plenty of players,but not terribly close with any of his peers. He has beaten them routinely over the years while piling up 82 victories worldwide and 14 majors. Now,it’s time to get introduced to a Woods no one knew. He has been linked to more than a dozen women,although he has confessed to cheating only on his wife.

As for his golf? Stay tuned. “He hit the ball pretty good today,” O’Meara said. “He’s been practicing the last three or four weeks. He’s good to go. It’s going to be different for him. But if anyone can handle it,he can.”