SALON

Monday, Apr 5, 2010 6:23 PM UTC

Tiger apologizes to golfers, praises Augusta fans

At first press conference, Woods says he's sorry for subjecting his peers to media scrutiny, thanks supporters

By

Topics: Tiger Woods, Golf,

Tiger apologizes to golfers, praises Augusta fansTiger Woods tees off at the first hole during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., Monday, April 5, 2010. The tournament begins Thursday, April, 8. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)(Credit: AP)

Tiger Woods has apologized to his fellow golfers for being bombarded with questions about his private life, and says the reception of the Augusta National fans “blew me away.”

Woods also revealed Monday that he had five stitches in his mouth after the infamous Thanksgiving night car crash that exposed details of his sordid private life.

Woods played a practice round with Fred Couples, and Jim Furyk joined them at the 13th hole. The crowd gave a tepid but respectful response, and Woods even stopped to sign autographs on the way to the practice range.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tiger Woods mingled with fans after his practice round at Augusta National, actually stopping to sign autographs on his way to take a few extra swings at the range.

Sporting the makings of a goatee and wearing sunglasses, Woods rolled a couple of balls to kids sitting along the ropes at the 18th green, then caught the fans off guard when he paused on his way to the new practice range. He stopped briefly to sign caps and Masters flags before heading on to the new practice facility.

Woods normally avoids any contact with the fans when he’s on the course, but this is a tournament unlike any other. The world’s greatest golfer is playing for the first time since a Thanksgiving night crash outside his home cracked open his sordid private life.

 

Paul Newberry

More Paul Newberry.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments

 0 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

You know about his Masters wins and, now, his infidelity. Tiger Woods, the most successful American golfer of our time, put his marriage in jeopardy when his wife, Elin Nordegren, found out about his mistresses.

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations