In a news conference today, prior to the start of the Masters in Augusta, golf star Tiger Woods answered questions about his return to golf and the reasons for his five-month absence.

This was the first unrestricted access journalists have had to Woods since December when reports about a car accident close to Woods’ home in Florida turned into a personal scandal surrounding alleged affairs with several mistresses. 

Woods said he was humbled by the warm reception he had received from fans and fellow Masters participants during his practice rounds Sunday and Monday and used the opportunity to apologize.

"I know that the players have been bombarded by questions, so has the public,” he said.

“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,” said golfer Jim Furyk.

Woods answered questions about his self-described “terrible behavior” but did not go into detail about why he spent 45 days in a rehabilitation facility. 

Four weeks after the scandal broke the golfer admitted himself to an alleged treatment center for sexual addiction.

Another topic high on the agenda for the journalists who filled the 207 seats at the Masters press center was Woods’ relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, a Canadian who allegedly gave performance enhancing drugs to several athletes in the past.

When asked about his return to golf, Woods said the reason why he took five months off was not just for treatment of his soul and trying to mend his shattered marriage, but was also because his body had not completely recovered from a knee injury and a torn achilles tendon which he tore several times last year.

On Sunday Woods played the second half of the course in Augusta with Mark O’Meara, who had encouraging words for Woods.

“This is the place where you belong,” he told Woods as they walked down the tenth fairway.

O’Meara was confident that Woods could deal with the pressure and win.

“He’s been practicing the last three or four weeks, he’s good to go,” he said.

Even though Woods said “nothing has changed” when asked about his attitude towards golf, he did say he would try not to get as emotional during the game.

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