Golf: Tiger Woods fronts up to Fleet St

The air was electric at St Andrews today. The question on everybody's lips was: how would Tiger Woods front up to the British media, who have the reputation of attacking like bulldogs whenever there's a hint of juicy scandal in the air.

This Meet the Press circus was really the opening act of this week's British Open - or, as the Members at the traditional home of golf will pompously correct you, 'The Open Championship'.

Tiger Woods was ushered by his entourage into the press marquee via a side entrance - avoiding the gauntlet of the massed ranks of reporters, photographers and film crews.

He wore a grey sweater, black slacks and blue shirt. His ubiquitous water bottle was there, too.

Tiger Woods' much anticipated media conference at St Andrews opened up with a question about the most difficult hole on the St Andrews course, the infamous Road Hole.

"Well, it's a tough hole - same angle obviously - more club into the green ..." said Woods.

And that set the tone for this interchange between the World number one and the throng of media present.

And as for the putter change? "It's going real well".

But while he greeted queries about the challenges of playing the tough course with a broadening smile across his face, his demeanour immediately changed when reporters pried into aspects of his private life.

Questions about his personal affairs were deflected with all the skill of a football goalkeeper nudging the ball over the bar.

When asked about his divorce, he was adamant: "I'm not going into that," he replied tersely.

Did his changed public image affect his chances here? "It doesn't impact on it at all," said a stony-faced Woods.

The golfer was also asked about his quick trip home to Florida recently.

"Well, I just went home and had a great time with my kids. Normally I don't come over, play two days and then go back home."

Woods was out early this morning, his third practice round since his arrival on Sunday.

Woods has two 4th-place finishes in the two Majors he has played since his marital indiscretions went public.

Since then, he has got used to having the blowtorch on him from media and public alike.

He was asked if victory at St Andrews would offer some kind of redemption. No, it was never about that, for him, affirmed Woods. It's only about the golf.

"I'd like to win here no matter what."

- AGENCIES