Tiger Woods Masters Press Conference VIDEO: 'I Lied To Myself'

Tiger Woods' Masters press conference Monday marked his first live televised interview since his car crash and the revelation of his many alleged affairs. He told reporters that he "missed the competition" and apologized to fellow players for the distraction he caused. He said he hopes "the players can be left alone to focus on the Masters, not only this week, but going forward as well."

Woods also acknowledged that some criticism of him is fair, saying, "what I've done was wrong." He added, "I was in total denial." Later, he said that "I rationalized, I lied to myself." Looking ahead, Woods says, "I need to be a better man going forward than I was before."

Woods told the press that one of the most difficult parts of the past five months was missing his son's birthday while attending rehab. He confirmed speculation that his wife, Elin Nordegren, is not attending the Masters. She was spotted at a tennis tournament in Florida late last week.

When asked whether Ambien played a role in his car wreck, Woods was evasive, saying that police investigated the accident and the case is closed. He firmly denied using performance-enhancing drugs, however. "I have never taken [human growth hormone or PEDs]. I've never taken any illegal drugs in my life," he told reporters.

During his previous live event, Woods apologized for his behavior but did not take any questions from the press.

In late March, Woods conducted a pair of interviews with ESPN and the Golf Channel, but each was limited to just five minutes. The golf superstar arrived in Augusta, Ga. yesterday and was photographed playing several holes.

Security is expected to be especially intense this week. Former FBI and Secret Service agents will form a crew of up to 90 bodyguards, some of whom may be armed. At least one alleged mistress, porn star Joslyn James, will be in the vicinity during the upcoming weekend. The adult actress, who says Woods twice impregnated her and released a slew of extremely graphic text messages that he allegedly sent her, plans to strip nearby in Atlanta.

WATCH:

Comments

[janet111]

04:07 AM on 04/12/2010

I can't believe this ad! Using the voice of Tiger Woods' dead father in a Nike commercial to try and save his image is really low. I think this is immoral by Nike to stand by a man who has quite clearly lost his mind and has cheated on his wife an unbelievable 18 times! How can we even consider him a genuine sports star any more. Most of the sports blogs listed on http://www.dozensports.com say he is not going to recover from his image setback. Even using your late father can't help Tiger, I'm sorry, that's the way of the world.

[blackstarpictures]

07:15 PM on 04/06/2010

If I was him I would have done the same thing. Except maybe thrown in a black chick or two.

[johndab]

05:27 PM on 04/06/2010

I COUNTED AT LEAST 3 QUESTIONS THAT WERE NOT ANSWERED.

I SAY LETS MOVE ON.........IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS....AS A GOLFER TIGER IS A 10.............AS A PERSON HE IS A 4.5. LETS NOT CONFUSE THE TWO.

[CLOB]

04:06 PM on 04/06/2010

Tiger Woods is now greatly regretting the hurt and damage he has caused his wife and children because of his selfish, reckless and sinful behavior. I hope that it is not too late for Tiger to save his marriage and family. A family is a priceless treasure. At the end of the day, when all the excitement of winning tournaments is over, and the glory of fame has faded, a family and their love is the only thing that will be there for him, unconditionally. I wish them the best and hope that someday they can live happy together again.

[alb0401]

02:04 PM on 04/06/2010

Unlike Swaggart, Tiger was preaching nothing.

I admire Tiger for taking responsibility. It's all we can ask of each other. I hope he gives back to those he took from.

Good for you, Tiger. Now do better and keep it up.

[TonyOnly]

01:44 PM on 04/06/2010

What if we find out a humbled Tiger isn't half the ferocious golfer he used to be? What do we do if imasculating him has taken away his edge? Do we revel in his failure? Or do we tell him to take us back to the way we were? After all, it's all about us, isn't it?

[Sundiszno]

01:44 PM on 04/08/2010

If he can't golf, then he is done so far as public is concerned. But he has not been emasculated. He has said he will try to become a better man. If he does that, then he will become even better on the golf course.

[NeverRepublican]

12:59 PM on 04/06/2010

It had nothing to do with golf?

TIger would not answer ANY QUESTIONS at a location that had nothing to do with golf during media blitz including TV and radio... can't answer any questions in that forum. No sir.

NOW, Woods shows up at the Masters and opens up the big question and answer window at the tournament.

He dragged his "personal life" into the game of golf at the Masters. I can not believe he would use the Masters forum to explain his "personal matters". It's pretty cheap in my book. He could have answered questions about it months ago but instead he chooses The Masters to come clean.

How many posts and comments on TV and radio had the same idea: "It doesn't have anything to do with golf."

Mr. Cheater just made it a part of golf. Pathetic! Most athletes make comments away from the game and usually say no comment AFTER all the questions have been asked when they get back to the game. But not Tiger!!! He dragged here and is now using it to be center stage. "I'm clean now, I don't lie anymore and it feels great!" Could have talked about it three months ago so we don't have to re-live it again. Thanks for making the Masters your personal pity-party and an even BIGGER THANKS for dragging this whole sorted affair out for the last 5 months and packing it up to share with us at the Masters.

[algomajoker]

12:39 PM on 04/06/2010

Please, he's pals with everyone allowed in the press tent at Augusta. He knows them all by their first names. The lameness of this charade is really wearing thin.

[sirbacon123]

12:16 PM on 04/06/2010

The bottom line for me is that a Tiger can't change his spots. If you don't believe me, maybe you will believe my blog. Check it out at sirbacon123.com.

[lmab]

09:24 AM on 04/06/2010

I'm waiting for Tiger's "Jimmy Swaggert" moment.

[GRagsdale]

09:19 AM on 04/06/2010

We don't know any of these guys.

[joeblow]

09:14 AM on 04/06/2010

What bothers me is not that Tiger Woods is saying 'all the right things.' It's that, to a person, the rest of the golfers who've been quoted are also saying 'all the right things.' They're Stepford Wives!! Don't any of them have a differing opinion on the guy? Don't any of them have an original thought? They speak with the singular voice of Tea Baggers.
This is, after all, a golfer who has almost shown an open contempt for the people who show up to ensure his income. He usually walks past them with a look that seems to indicate he has no knowledge or concern that they are even there.
Tiger, you hit a golf ball for a living! That doesn't mean you can't at least crack a smile for the little kids you walk right past and who think you walk on water. It's golf, bro. It ain't life and death. If a president can make contact with people (some of whom have genuinely horrid thoughts) and stop to press the flesh, you can do a little more than you've so far shown.
Meditate on that, T!

[lmab]

08:30 AM on 04/06/2010

I lost my list of the women that Tiger cheated with....could you please include it in the next Tiger post.

[shortandwide]

07:45 AM on 04/06/2010

Korean golf fans were listening to Tiger through a translator. Sometimes things get ost in translation ;
"I'm exited to be back"
Translated to;
"I'm so horny ,baby come back"

[Gomea]

07:36 AM on 04/06/2010

This story is so overblown...please let's move on.

So he cheated on his wife? Big deal.. this happens every day in marriages across the country. It's a horrible thing to do but it's the reality. Power, being spoiled, money, has nothing to do with it. People cheat...from janitors to CEOs, this "moral" is not selective. The trashy women who knowingly slept with a married men ---and like a the true sleaze that they are went whining to the tabloids in hope of fortune and fame have been given instant credence by the "mainstream" media. That is the true scandal in this debacle.

[lmab]

08:35 AM on 04/06/2010

Clearly, you have more of a problem with the "trashy" women who slept with the married man, than the married man (no big deal) who slept with the women.

[Cye]

09:04 AM on 04/06/2010

Oh come on! This is not your "garden variety" cheating - this is like the Olympic Gold Medal of cheating!! 10 plus women?? At once?? All over the world?? But fame and money had nothing to do with it??

Its true that its really nobody's business who Tiger sleeps with, but lets not downplay it at the same time! Give the man his due!

And your right to slam the women Tiger cheated with for being trashy gold diggers, but isn't that exactly the kind of women Tiger was looking for to cheat on his wife with? The kind of women who would make themselves available to him, because he had money? The kind of women who would want to make a buck off that fact, given half a chance?

You really should be upset with him for not choosing "nice, clean, church-going girls" to have multiple affairs with. Surely they would have more principles than to run to the press!

[topkatnc]

09:20 AM on 04/06/2010

You tell'um sweetie !!!

[Mycall]

11:42 AM on 04/06/2010

Maybe he did cheat with those as well - and they simply opted not to run to the press....
Hey, its possible!!