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Press conference: Tiger talks Tiger (22:44)

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Tiger Woods makes his 2012 debut this week at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Listen to his full news conference as he talks about his health and his attitude coming into the season.

TRANSCRIPTS

We're used to seeing you right here on the European Tour but in...

We're used to seeing you right here on the European Tour but in this part of the world, in Dubai, just give us your thoughts on being here this week in Abu Dhabi? -Yes, it's my first time to Abu Dhabi and I've been to Dubai numerous times, and you know, it's-- HSBC has been a huge support of my foundation for years and I played in the Shanghai event and I just had to play this one until this week so I'm looking forward to it. I've heard nothing but positive things of the golf course. I know it's a long one, but somehow the scores seem to be pretty low so it'll be nice to get out there today this afternoon and kind of take a look at it, see how it's playing and try to figure out my sight lines and some of the green [unk]. -The end of last year was very close [unk] but also your performance in Australia which was in [unk] I'll give you an extra emphasis coming in to this year? -Yeah, because I think in Australia was pretty good for me to go down there for 2 weeks and play in that type of wind and to hit the balls as well as I did. I really controlled, you know, my golf ball for 2 weeks and, you know, I think that lead to what I-- what I did at the World Challenge. I hit the ball just as well there and made a couple of putts and especially the last 2 holes there and, you know, consequently got a W. -You said in the TV interviews, you feel in good shape. You looking forward to the year with a healthy mind and body. -Yes, I should spend-- it's been quite a few years since I've been physically fit so I'm looking forward to getting out there and then playing and, you know, give it a full season, which I haven't done in while so I'm really looking forward to it. -Okay. Thanks for that. We'll take some questions. We do have microphones at either side of the room. James, let's start off. The microphones to James in the center please. -Tiger, when was the last season you think when you announced and you felt 100% no pain? -I don't know. Probably, I don't know. 8, 10, 12 years ago. -Seriously, so much [unk]-- -Well, I've had surgeries in 2002, surgery in '08, what else? A couple of them in there too. It's been a while. -And what have you been doing in the last 6 weeks, you know, since you have-- -I took 2 weeks off. I didn't do anything golf-wise, and then after that I started to gradually kind of progressing in the game. I started from the green back which I can normally do, putting, chipping, pitching then eventually the irons and then ultimate driving and then been playing golf so it's what I normally do this time of year so it's nice to kind of get away from it for a little bit. You know I've worked really, really hard getting ready for Australia and then the World Challenge and it was nice to kind of take a couple of weeks break and just get away from the game for a little bit. -Yes. Ian in the back there. Just behind you. Thank you. -How do you know obviously the stripes and the saying it was nice to get away from the game. Was there in any sense a feeling of frustration that the closed season came when it did? Given the form that you've shown going into it. -No, no. Not at all because it was-- I spent quite of bit of energy getting ready for those 3 events, and I really didn't need to take a break. It just kind of-- more and more on mentally than anything. Just get away from the game because I was-- I was working hard and just really into-- trying to get my game peaking for those events and spent quite a bit of time just preparing and, you know, when I-- when I've kind of set my mind to something like that, it was-- it's-- I needed to take a break from it so it was nice to take that break. It's one of the reason why I take breaks throughout the year because I set out certain goals throughout the year and try to get ready and since I wasn't able to get ready for the Major Championship season last year, I kind of spend a lot of my energy getting ready for those 3 events and it turned out to be pretty good. -Yes. [unk] far right [unk] please. -Tiger. -Yeah, buddy. -Do you-- was there any regret or tough decision at all because Torrey is this week and has been so good to you. You've been-- had so much success there and it's been a good launching point to a lot of seasons for you. Can you just talk about, you know, not playing that event. -Yeah, you know, Torrey has been a golf course I have enjoyed playing since Junior golf since I used to play the Junior World there, and unfortunately, I just won't-- scheduling-wise, it just didn't work out. You know, as I said, HSBC has been a huge support of the foundation and that's one of the reasons why I'm here. -Yes, Joy. Send to the back there, please. -Hi Tiger. I've-- you've had great affinity with Dubai all these years, and if you have to point out just one factor which really attracted you to come to Abu Dhabi this week, what would that be? And secondly, can you tell us how your experience was for the photoshoot this morning? -Okay. You know, there are probably several reasons why I've wanted to come to Abu Dhabi, you know. The guys have-- who have played here have said these wonderful things. As I've said, you know, so far a few times earlier, is that HSBC has been a huge support of my foundation for years, and you know, I've tried to make it a requisite that I'm playing, you know, different places throughout the year and playing new events. I'm trying to-- trying to play new events and this is a new event for me. I've never played here before and this is exciting for me. I mean this is an incredible field that they've assembled here so I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing. As far as what we did earlier, that was interesting. You know that we're supposed to be following the guys at the bottom and, you know, the rhythm but the guys on top were a completely different rhythm so I don't know who we were supposed to follow so, you know, Rory and I were trying to figure out what we're supposed to do. The guys at the bottom were doing that one pace up but guys up top were doing a completely different pace and who do we copy? So it was-- I gotta say it was interesting. -Yes, we've got a question. Right down the far side here. Can we get the microphone there to the front row? Looks like we can. Thank you. -On these lines if you've been helping for the first time, I'm sure this is the first off season you've had where you can train as hard as you want, hit as many balls as you want to. What kind of confidence does that give you coming into the season? -Well, I hadn't been able to practice, you know, until I got healthy, and that was exciting by going down Australia as I finally felt healthy enough to, you know, practice. And I hadn't-- I hadn't practiced a whole lot, you know, after I got hurt at Augusta, and you know, I missed most of the year and then to finally be able to get ready for a tournament properly and to do the type of lifting that I think I need to do to be ready, I was finally able to do that and hence my game came around so it's very exciting. -[unk] front row here. -Tiger, can I ask you, when you talk about schedule, what sort of a schedule tournament numbers are you talking about this year? -It will be my normal full schedule so part of that number normally is in the 20s so I'm happy about that. -Can I ask you a follow-up question? Are you sort of the person to make a new year's resolution? And if so, what would that be? -Yeah, just get better. Just every part of my life and I'm just trying to get better. -Lawrence at the back, please. -Tiger. Tiger, does the payment of the [unk] fees ever influence-- oh yeah. Does the payment of the [unk] fees influence your scheduling? -You know, I had-- I'd have to say yes. It certainly does and, you know, that's one of the reasons why, you know, a lot of the guys will play in Europe. They do play in Europe and they do get paid. We-- I think the only Tour that doesn't pay is the U.S. Tour, but you know-- you know, a lot of the guys play all around the world and they do get appearance fees. The one place we don't get is the U.S. -There was a [unk] this week saying that you'd cut your price for this week, is there? Can you comment on that if it's true or not? -Do you know what it is? -$50? $75? -Moving on. Oliver. 2 rows in front, please. Thank you. Nope, there we go. -Tiger, [unk] the end of last year when you identified Rory McIlroy as having the most time you've ever seen more than even you and your prime. I just wondered if you could talk to whether you see Rory is the most talented player you've ever seen and also how you see Luke Donald's [unk] and whether he deserves his World Number 1 ranking despite not having won a Major? -Well, you don't have to win a Major to become Number 1 player in the world. You'd have to be consistent. You have to play well in big events and just probably keep landing points. That's how this system is developed. As far as being the most talented player, I think the most talented player that I've ever seen in person was Seve. I've never seen a person do the things with a golf ball that he was able to do and the creativeness that he's able to do so to me, he was-- he certainly had the most talent that I had ever seen in person. I hadn't-- I never saw Hogan hit a golf ball and I never saw Mr. Nelson hit a golf ball so-- I never saw Jack in his prime but I did see Seve when I first came out here and it was-- I played with him a few times and it was-- it was impressive. -Gentleman on the far right here, please. -Okay, looking ahead this year, what are your goals in terms of, you know, winning a Major, winning a certain number of tournaments? And what would prevent you from winning 7 to 8 tournaments that you did in your heyday. -I'm looking forward to [unk] look, the game plan is still the same. Every event I play in is to try and win. You know that's-- what's going to hold me back is obviously if I don't play well and there's also gonna be 155 other guys on the field that are gonna have a chance as well so you know, there's a number of factors and then that's what makes golf so interesting that it is very difficult to win golf tournaments and to do it consistently over a long period of time, it's not easy to do. -In the front here. -Tiger. -Yeah. -Going into the season down there and this tournament, do you have a vibe at all about how things are going to go this year? Are you positive or is that something that never really affect your game? -Well, [unk]. I'm looking forward to this year. You know that's something I had to say because I was able to prepare and get fit enough to prepare last year and towards the end of the year and, you know, that-- I demonstrated to myself what I can do, you know, with implementing what Sean wants me to do in my golf swing if I'm physically fit to do it and play it really well in my last 3 events so I'm really looking forward to this year and continuing and building what we've-- what we've done towards the end of last year for sure. -On the far right. David, please. -Yeah, Tiger. Over here. You said you're upset that Hank is bringing the book out. I mean it follows the fact that Steve [unk] putting his mouth a few times. I just wanted to-- how disappointed it is when people fail to repay the trust that you've put in them and how much of a distraction it is when you say you're mentally healthy for the first time. -Well, it's certainly something that I have to deal with. I get asked at press conferences, you know, what these guys have done and, you know, that's just-- that's just part of it. That's-- am I disappointed? Yes. Frustrated? Certainly, because I have to answer the questions, and it's not-- it's, you know, it's been a while, you know, since I haven't had to answer those questions so, you know, I've answered them and I guess I'll have to continue doing it but hopefully though they won't-- hope this will come to an end. -Yes, Ben. On the left here. Near Rachel. -Hi Tiger. Could you see Abu Dhabi being your season opener for the foreseeable future or in some sense, is this a trial and Torrey Pines won't be ruled out in the long run? -You know that's obviously just scheduling too. You know-- you know, I've wanted to play in this event and you know, Torrey has been-- I wouldn't say-- I haven't started off every year there but certainly the last few years I've started off there. And you know, since, you know, I'm not playing Dubai this year, I decided to have another tournament here and it just happened to work out to be this one. For the foreseeable future, you know, who knows? I don't know what the schedule. It could be, you know, down the road. I haven't looked at next year's schedule in the foreseeable years and after that-- so once we figure that out then I'll let you know. -Yes. Bob again please. Left side. Yup. -Tiger, how-- how would you see appearance fees working on the PGA Tour and would you see any negative in it? You know, obviously it's been against the rules there and hasn't been done. But could you see any benefit or are there too many negatives to it? -Well, I think that-- I think we're-- we've all said that our prize money is pretty high. You know, we're-- we certainly play for more money than any other Tour in the world and, you know, the average winning-- I think the average winner gets a million bucks a week so that's more than any other tournament or any other tour on average. So I think that's-- we have that availability to play for more money than any other Tour. -Yes. Gentleman there on the front. -Tiger, [unk] aware or have an interest in but there's a test match-- -Yeah. -cricket going on. -Yeah. -Are you interest in cricket? A lot of cricketers are very interested in golf and playing golf. You gonna pop along maybe tomorrow afternoon and catch a few-- -No, no. I'm a baseball guy. But have I followed cricket? I have a little bit. From what I used to saw on the news, it's been I think what-- it's been like a [unk] paradise here so that's all I know. What 3 guys have done for centuries or something like that, whatever it is so it's-- I don't know but as far as watching cricket, I do watch. Absolutely, especially when I'm travelling overseas but my-- being from the U.S., our passion is baseball or football. -Can I just ask where that interesting cricket comes on? Is it because of the similarity to baseball or is there something someone's taught you about it? -Yeah, you know, because I grew up playing baseball. I was a pitcher myself, and my dad was the catcher. You know, my dad played in the Negro Leagues. That's professional ball. So that type of game certainly has been in my blood and then to travel around the world and see that the passion that people have for cricket and all-- baseball's huge in Japan and in the U.S., pretty much the Caribbean area but outside of that, it's-- Cricket's just huge so as I've traveled and I've played all around the world, I've started watching more and more and I've met some of the guys, you know, that certainly helps, provides more interest in it and because now you have a personal interest in it so that's what makes it a little bit more exciting. -Ian [unk] please. -Tiger, could you talk a little bit about Luke Donald's achievement last year in winning both money list. Obviously, you've done it in monetary terms but not as a member of the European Tour in the past but just how great an achievement was that in your estimation? Yes, it's a heck of an achievement to have to play, you know, both tours full time and the travel that that takes and the consistency that you must have to do that. And Luke played, you know, it seemed like he was in the Top 10 in just about every tournament that he played in, and that's the only way you're going to do it. You gotta get-- you gotta get wins and you gotta finish the Top 10's just by the time you tee'd up in order to pull something off-- pull something like that off and, you know, especially the bigger events, obviously the bigger [unk] that's the only way you can do it so he was very consistent throughout the year, he got W's along the way and he deserved it here. -David. Far side, please. -Tiger, you've only said that a year without a Major win isn't a great year. Do you get the sense that this is gonna be a great year? Because it's been well by your standards. -Yeah, who knows? -[unk]first of all. Why don't you tell me about it? -I don't know. Looking forward to it though. -Paul in the center, please. -Hello. -Yeah. -Who's the best player in the world right now? And is it important for you to be the best player in the world again? Or is it worth-- what if you did-- chase-- chase Jack's record? -I think it's just getting W's along the way, you know, that's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to get better each and every year and try and get wins. Unfortunately, I only had 1 win last year and I would like to get more than that this year, and I'm really looking forward to that. -We have time for a couple more. First one down the front. [unk] -[unk] -Down the front, left. -Tiger, I know you talked last year about-- last year, Dubai, the winds-- your swing was exposed, one-way miss. Can you talk about where the swing is with Sean-- I mean obviously at Chevron, at the Australian Open, you've showed a much different swing and you had come along, do you still feel that way? -Absolutely. Yeah, I was able to control the ball in that wind. Hit all different trajes and all different shapes. And as I said, that was a-- that was a big stepping stone for us to play and put myself in contention and almost win the Australian Open and play even better at the Presidents Cup, and that lead into what I did at the World Challenge so it was just a building process, you know, something that I had to get healthy first and once I did that, you know, things started snowballing the correct way. -[unk] did you have a microphone? -Yep, thank you. -Tiger, obviously the last 2 stroke play events in contention, you win one, you're in-- in the battle-- in Australia the last day. Did it feel any different in the old days? Or did it come right back like it was-- like you've been doing it forever? Or did it seem different, you know, because you hadn't been there that much? -You know, that's a great question because even though they ask me that same thing, you know, after Chevron-- after the World Challenge there and it was-- They said, "Did it feel different?" I said, "No." They told me it's not supposed to. I know how to get it done. I've been there before, and it shouldn't feel any different. Just like what-- you know, it's funny. They ask the same question [unk] in '86. It doesn't feel-- it didn't feel any different out there. It didn't. It just-- You just got there and you play. You just continue building and you focus on what you're trying to do to win the tournament. I think that's where a lot of my past successes allow to me to be able to do that. I wanted all the levels from Junior Golf to Ama Golf to Professional Golf so I think that and a lot of experience certainly helps. -Hi Tiger. Did you ever think Hank could write a book about you? -No. -And if not, why not? Why did you think you wouldn't? -I don't know. -And just with something like that, is it difficult to trust anybody in the country, you know, if that-- if everything is just going to get revealed in books and statements and tally and everything? -One might say that. -That must be sort of sad in a way. -You think it's sad? -Well-- -Do you think it's sad? I'm asking you. -I'd find it sad, yeah. -Okay, there you go. -Okay, time for 1 more question. Carl, I think you had your hand up. -Sorry, Tiger. It's on the book subject again, I'm afraid. -Yep. -Basically, assuming that you would appreciate why people in general, in golfers in particular, would love an insight into your game and your swing and how things are developed. Please tell me what's so wrong about Hank writing a book about you? -I think I've answered all the questions already on that. -What's so wrong-- -I think I already have. -Sorry. -I'm sorry. -Not mine, I'm afraid. Thank you all the same. -Yup. -Do we have one more question on golf? Don't think we do. One more-- sorry. Down the front here. Gentleman down the front. -I like to know why you-- what it is that you love about golf? Why do you love golf? -You know that's a question I got asked after-- earlier, and you know, I've played other sports. I've played baseball. I ran track. I ran cross country. I like doing it, but I didn't love it. I love golf and I love what it takes to prepare and be successful at it and I have so many great memories from it. A lot of it stems from, you know, the great times I've had with my dad. Late in the evenings, my dad would get off work and my dad and I going out there and practicing together, those are just incredible memories to me and now as a parent myself, I have to build-- go out there with my little boy, Charlie, to do the same things and he-- he's kind of taken to the game. That's-- it's just fun. To me, that's what-- I look back on my childhood and what golf brought to me, it's just my joy.
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