Redemption

 

PERSPECTIVE ... Tiger says family means more to him than more Majors

TIGER WOODS is seeking redemption through his kids after repeating his desire to become a better person.

The disgraced world No1 also wants to become a better GOLFER as he bids to make history by becoming the first ever man to win The Open three times at St Andrews.
But he stressed that three-year-old daughter Sam Elexis and one-year-old son Charlie Axel are far more important to him than adding to his haul of 14 Majors.
Woods broke with his normal routine last week to fly home from Ireland, where he played in the JP McManus pro-am, to spend time with his children.

HAPPIER DAYS ... Tiger Woods and his now
estranged wif Elin with daughter Sam

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And he has vowed never to miss their birthdays again after being an absent father for much of the time before the sensational revelations concerning his private life.
Woods refused to discuss the current state of his marriage to estranged wife Elin or comment on rumours that she has already divorced him.
He also ducked a question relating to the outcome of a recent two-hour interview with FBI agents, claiming that he was unable to discuss details of the meeting as it is an ongoing case.
But 34-year-old Woods was more than happy to speak about the two most important people in his troubled life.
He said: "I am trying to become a better person and all that really matters is that I have two beautiful kids.
"I am trying to be the best father I can possibly be to them and that's the most important thing of all.
"I went home and had a great time with my kids. It was an incredible experience to hang out with them.
"Normally I don't come over, play two days, and then go back home. But the reason why I did is obviously for my kids, and we had a great time.

FAMILY MATTERS ... Elin with son Charlie

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"My preparations for tournaments have been the same. I am still able to go out there and practise and do the things that I have done in the past. "But I don't practise as much as I used to because of the kids, nor should I. They are the most important thing in my life."
Woods admits that he may never be able to rebuild his reputation and public image in the wake of the scandal surrounding a series of extra-marital affairs.
But he does not expect to suffer any backlash when he lines up tomorrow in the 150th Open.
He said: "The Scottish golf fans have always been fantastic with respect to golf and all the players and they have been great to me over the years.
"I wouldn't see anything different than what they have been. Most of the people have been fantastic.
"The places that I have played and the people that have come up to me have been great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion."
Regardless of the reception he is given, Woods is adamant that it will not impact on his bid to make history. He insisted: "This is the Open Championship at St Andrews and this is as good as it gets.
"It's the Home of Golf and I am just like every other player in the field, really looking forward to getting out there and playing in the Open Championship.
"I would like to win no matter what. It really would be nice. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but winning here is one of the bigger highlights I have ever had in my career.
"It's amazing how many great champions have won here and to be part of that amazing history is a pretty neat feeling."
While Woods is desperate to ensure that he maintains a strong bond with his children, he revealed that another member of the family has been shown the door - the putter that he has used to win 13 Majors since 1999.
He said: "I have switched to the Nike putter for this week.
"It comes off faster, which on these greens is something because I've always struggled on slower greens.
"I've always felt more comfortable when the greens get quick and this putter does come off faster with the new grooves technology. It rolls the ball better.

"You are going to have some real long putts here no matter how you hit it and you just have to get it down in two.
"The two years that I have played well here, I have lag-putted beautifully and I have also hit the ball in the right spots."
Meanwhile, Woods anticipates a much tougher challenge than he faced in 2000 when he won by eight shots from Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn.
He added: "The fields in general have become deeper. When I first came on Tour I don't remember cuts being at four-under-par.
"Guys are better, more athletic and look how much longer they are hitting it now compared to 2000.
"Some of the younger kids are better, stronger, faster and more athletic.
"They work out which when I came on Tour not many guys did and that is the big difference.
"But I understand how to play this golf course.
"It's a matter of going out there and putting it together at the right time."