Kiwi in charge for Tiger's big press conference

New Zealander Craig Heatley was thrust into the spotlight at the US Masters golf tournament before yesterday's much-awaited Tiger Woods press conference.

Heatley is chairman of the US Masters media committee, and part of his role involved hosting Woods' first press conference in five months since revelations first surfaced last November of his extramarital affairs.

The accredited Augusta National press were lined up for an hour to take their place in the 180-seat conference room. Just like boarding an aeroplane, several more reporters waited outside the room on standby in case there were any no-shows.

The Golf Channel was outside counting down. "Fifteen minutes before Tiger Woods enters the Press Room. Fourteen minutes to Woods' press conference ..." and so on up to the last advisory note at 1.59pm.

Heatley, dressed in his Augusta National green jacket, then took his place behind the official dais. Heatley co-founded Sky TV in New Zealand and has been chairman of the media committee at Augusta for some years now.

He is also a very keen golfer, having previously teamed with 1992 Augusta champion Fred Couples to win the teams event in the Alfred Dunhill Links tournament in Scotland. Heatley is also a former Augusta National club winner.

But nothing quite prepared him for the task he faced yesterday.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon, and a very warm welcome to you all. My name is Craig Heatley, and I'm the chairman of the Masters media committee. It's my pleasure to welcome everyone to Augusta National Golf Club and to the 2010 Masters Tournament.

"I would also like to welcome Tiger Woods, our four-time Masters champion. This is Tiger's 16th Masters tournament.

"Tiger, we are delighted to have you here with us, and what a beautiful day out there to start Masters week. Are there any comments you would like to make before we invite questions from the floor?"

The conference lasted 35 minutes and Woods faced 47 questions.

The two then stood up and Heatley put his arm around Woods if to say "You exit first".

Woods grabbed his half-consumed grape bottle of berry juice and left through a back door.

- NZPA

TRICKY TOPICS

Tiger Woods addressed several topics during his 35-minute press conference yesterday at the Masters:

THE MASTERS

"The reason why I didn't come back and play earlier ... I wasn't ready for it. I wasn't even near physically ready to play at this level, and I needed more time."

WINNING

"I've had some great years. Unfortunately, what I've done over the past years has been just terrible to my family. Winning golf tournaments, I think through all of this is irrelevant compared to the damage I've caused."

HIS WIFE

"Elin is not coming this week, no."

PEERS

"It's amazing how many hugs I've gotten from the guys ... I'm actually surprised by that, how well received I've been."

FANS

"To be out there in front of the people where I have done some things that are just horrible, and you know, for the fans to really want to see me play golf again, I mean, that felt great, that really did. I'm looking forward to teeing off."

REHAB

"I was in there for 45 days and I'm certainly a much better person for it than I was going in."

WHY REHAB

"That's personal, thank you."

- AP