Abby Brammell

Look who's back: Tiger Woods practises outside his home in Florida ahead of yesterday's speech


We have become used to extraordinary performances from Tiger Woods over the years but never have we seen anything like this.

Seventy-eight days since he last spoke, the shamed world No 1 looked such a chastened man it was almost a blessing when the main camera feed broke halfway through his 14-minute statement and we couldn't see the whole of his face.

In a message scripted by Woods, he asked his fans to find it in their hearts to believe in him once again, but when they'll get the chance to see him on the course, he couldn't say.

'I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be,' he said.
'I don't rule out that it will be this year.'

What do we read into that? The fact those 28 words were the extent of his thoughts on playing again is perhaps indicative of the fact that it is currently a long way down his list of priorities.

It was certainly a long way from the core of his speech, which concentrated on seeking wife Elin's forgiveness but also touched upon religion and drugs.

As for playing again, we can surely forget everything this side of the Masters and probably Augusta as well. If so, it would be the first time he hasn't played in the first major championship of the season since he turned professional in 1997.

The United States Open at Pebble Beach in June, where he won by 15 shots in 2000? It would be very sad indeed if he didn't play in that.

When he does come back, Woods promised to address some of his actions like swearing a lot and throwing clubs that have disgusted traditionalists. 'I will try to make my behaviour more respectful of the game,' he said.

Woods also addressed some malicious gossip in the American press regarding illegal substances. 'All those stories about me taking performance-enhancing drugs are completely false,' he said.


Hand on heart: Woods admits he has made mistakes


Such was his contrition it will surely have repaired some of the damage among those players so critical of his timing for this announcement, although why it had to be during the middle of the Accenture Match Play Championship was never properly addressed.

The reason given was he is returning to therapy tomorrow after a short break but, as Sir Nick Faldo said: 'I don't buy that.'

Reaction to the speech was mixed. Some thought it too scripted. Faldo wondered why golf couldn't be part of the healing process. 'His whole world has been golf and without it you assume he has no world,' he said.

More sympathetic was Mark O'Meara, the man who mentored him during his early years as a pro, and who has been critical of how the whole saga has been handled by Woods and his advisers.

'I haven't spoken to Tiger for three months and yes, I'm as disappointed as anyone at his behaviour,' he said. 'But with disappointment comes hope, and this was a step in the right direction. He's doing the right thing.'


Red-hot welcome: Radio show personalities Victoria Martin (left) and Meredith Walusek were waiting to greet Woods with suggestive posters


In Arizona, most players declined to talk before their rounds, with just three exceptions. Open champion Stewart Cink was supportive, as you might expect from a fellow Nike man.

Luke Donald thought it sincere, while the most interesting response came from American Ben Crane, who likened it to the Biblical story of Jesus protecting the prostitute and telling the crowd let he who is without sin cast the first stone.


Speaking of religion, Woods said the healing process will include immersing himself in Buddhism once more. 'I lost track of what I was taught,' he said. 'I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to do it.'

Woods's press conferences are notorious for the fact he usually says little of note. Only shortly after the death of his father Earl in 2006 did he show a more human side. Until yesterday, that is.

Here he said sorry countless times. To Elin, to his friends, to the people he employs, but most of all to those parents who have found themselves in the impossible position of explaining to their kids why Tiger was no longer playing.

Woods entered the room shortly after the appointed hour of 4pm UK time. Wearing a blazer and shirt of contrasting shades of blue, he addressed an audience that included his mother, Tida, US Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, hapless manager Mark Steinberg and fellow competitor Notah Begay, whom he has known since university.

When it was over he embraced his mother, who whispered: 'Never think that you walk alone.'
A remarkable week that had seen him engulfed in a firestorm of bad publicity over the timing of this announcement and its control-freakery nature ended with him leaving the scene seemingly in tears, and who knows when he will next be seen.

All we know is that it will be a momentous occasion, for when is it anything else when it comes to Woods and a sporting saga that, with its brilliance on one hand and tawdriness on the other, has come to define our age?


Gaze: Woods talks to his mother Kultida after his statement


source: dailymail