Analysis: Tiger Woods talks at the Masters

The most notable aspect of Tiger Woods' 35-minute press conference today at Augusta National was its shifting of the storyline. Woods' marital infidelity and subsequent rehabilitation, which he touched on only in non-specifics, was replaced by his denial of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Woods admitted to receiving treatment from Dr. Anthony Galea, a Canadian specialist in sports medicine whose client list overflows with high-profile athletes. Galea is under a federal investigation for providing athletes with PEDs, which Woods said he has never received or used.

"He never gave me HGH or any PEDs," Woods said. "I've never taken that my entire life. I've never taken any illegal drug ever, for that matter."

While saying he "lied and deceived a lot of people," Woods attempted to appear forthcoming in discussing his time with Galea. Woods said the doctor came to his house and provided him with Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to treat complications from 2008 knee surgery.

Woods also sustained a torn Achilles in December 2008, which he said required further PRP treatments and sessions in a hyperbaric chamber.

Woods said he sought Galea because of his experience treating athletes. He also said federal investigators have contacted his agent and promised "full cooperation" if he's interviewed.

"But as of right now, they have not asked for my time," Woods said.

Questions about performance-enhancing drugs could follow Woods longer than those about his private-life scandal, particularly since Woods has been outspoken against them his entire career.

Woods also admitted to taking prescription medications, including Ambien and Vicodin, at various points in his career. He said he began taking Ambien to help him sleep prior to his father Earl's death in 2006.

"I was on the Ambien was when my dad was sick and when my dad died," Woods said. "That was a tough time in my life."

Woods would have fans believe that he has had nothing but tough times in recent years, which included the birth of his two children. He described an almost joyless existence in golf despite all his victories.

"Have I been winning, have I been competing, have I been doing well? Yeah, I have," he said. "I've won numerous times the last few years but I wasn't having anywhere near the amount of fun. Why? Because look at what I was engaged in. When you live a life where you're lying all the time, life is not fun. And that's where I was. Now that's been stripped all away and here I am. And it feels fun again."

Other observations from the session:

• Woods was politely oblique about anything personal, other than his time with Galea. He admitted to sustaining a "busted lip" (which required five stitches) and a sore neck in the November car crash outside his Florida home but didn't say why he went to rehab.

"That's personal, thank you," he said.

• He admitted that wife Elin will not be at the Masters but dodged a follow-up question about the appropriateness of playing.

"I'm excited to play this week," he said when asked if he should be returning to the game so soon.

• Woods seemed to show genuine emotion talking about being in rehab on Feb. 8, his son Charlie's first birthday.

"That hurts a lot," he said. "I vowed I would never miss another one after that."

• Regarding his on-course behavior, Woods made a curious admission that will be interesting to watch. He said he wants to be "more respectful of the game," which could prompt an unintended consequence.

"I'm actually going to try and obviously not get as hot when I play," Woods said. "But then again, when I'm not as hot, I'm not going to be as exuberant, either. I can't play one without the other, and so I made a conscious decision to try and tone down my negative outbursts and consequently I'm sure my positive outbursts be will calmed down as well."

In all, the media session was cordial and far-ranging and not very deep, about what anybody could have expected. As he walked into the room, Woods tapped a few reporters on the back and later called them "my friends." If he can win over that crowd again, he'll go a long way toward winning back the public.

Source: The Morning Call