Tiger Woods – what media are saying

In contrast to his carefully stage-managed 'media briefing' in February, where he set the agenda from go to whoa, Tiger Woods opened himself up to the glare of worldwide attention today at a media conference that was the day's hottest ticket for US sport journalists.

Many observers were impressed with the vulnerability shown by the world's number one golfer, as he admitted past wrongdoings and urged fans and media to let him demonstrate how he's become a changed person.

Why, he even smiled at fans during the practice round he had with Fred Couples in the morning. That's not normal Tiger behaviour towards those behind the ropes - which usually ranges from a solemn disapproving silence through to outright grumpiness.

So here's how some of the global media saw how the day played out at Augusta, focusing on the contrite sporting superstar's on-camera performance.

The Times Online (UK) captured the anticipation of the journos awaiting the arrival of Woods at the media conference:

"Waiting for Tiger Woods to make his entrance in front of the assembled press at Augusta National, it was difficult not to stifle a laugh.
In rows seven deep, 200 of us had been squashed into a smallish room for 45 minutes. We had had our names checked off to make sure we were entitled to be there and sat waiting for the Great One's arrival. Some were reading papers, others doing crosswords and most were wondering out loud if any questions were to be off limits.
It was like waiting in church for the bride to arrive. There was a general hubbub and then silence as word went round that he was on his way. All eyes turned to the back of the room and a welcoming party of three men in green jackets and a television cameraman was in place and ready to greet him.
"Do we sing Here comes the bride," one hack mumbled, to nobody in particular. Another wondered who was "going to walk him down the aisle", while a third asked if this was a "wedding or a funeral?"
Good question."

The New York Daily News summed up Tiger's performance before the cameras:

"Tiger lowers his defences at press conference
The questioning was brutal, sometimes surgical, but Tiger kept his cool and kept his accusers at a distance.
They tried to dissect his oh-so-public failings in a 34 minute interview that was sometimes painful to watch. But while giving away a few more personal details Tiger was mainly focused on protecting himself and his family from the worst of it."

Sports website sportsline.com, the CBS portal which incorporates dedicated golf site golfweb.com, reported on what one of his infamous mistresses had to say today:

"In New York, adult film star Joslyn James, one of more than a dozen women who claims to have had an affair with Woods, watched the golfer's news conference with her attorney, Gloria Allred, and a room full of reporters and television cameras at the Friar's Club.
James has asked for an apology from Woods, saying he had not been truthful to her during their three-year relationship.
"I think he's still a big, fat liar," she said.
As for Woods' assertion that he gained perspective after the birth of his two children, James claimed the golfer was with her 10 days after his daughter was born. To his insistence that the last few years of deception were no fun, she said, "He was having a good time from what he told me."

As if his sexual transgressions weren't enough, another shadow hanging over Woods is his possible use of performance-enhancing drugs, and his relationship with controversial doctor Anthony Galea.

Galea has been charged with four drug-related charges in Canada and is now facing a grand jury investigation in the US.

Galea has also been linked with human growth hormone treatment(HGH).

Woods said that federal agents investigating Galea had contacted his agent at IMG, Mark Steinberg, about what treatment he received from Galea. Woods stressed, however, he had never been injected with HGH.

This from golf.com's blogger at the presser, Connell Barrett:

"My instant reaction: The real news Tiger made was confirming his treatment with controversial doctor Anthony Galea, but saying that it was for plasma-related treatment - that he has never used any kind of performance-enhancing drug."

In another report on golf.com, incidently, Barrett offered Tiger this piece of advice: fire caddie Steve Williams. Barrett reckons Woods' Kiwi bagman is foulmouthed, indisciplined and a "magnet for controversy".

But the fans mostly seem to just want the same thing - to see Tiger play golf.

A cluster of them at Augusta's T-Bonz Steakhouse told news agency the Associated Press that they weren't interested in more sordid details about his philandering.

"I adore Tiger," said Vicki Jones, who watched Woods' practice round and press conference on TV from the restaurant, located about a mile from the golf course itself.

The 60-year-old from Knoxville, Tennessee, said she came to the Masters primarily to support Woods.

"What he did, it definitely is wrong," said Jones, wearing a Nike cap with the "TW" logo. "He even admits it's not right. But all in all, I think he's a good person."

Robert Szocinski, an Augusta firefighter, agreed.

"The man's a Buddhist and this is the Bible belt. We forgive," Szocinski said. "This week, people in Augusta look at one thing - how well do you hit a white ball?"

About 20 people watched silently, forgetting their beers, as Woods opened his news conference.

"He's nervous," one man said as Woods stumbled over the name of his practice partner for the day, Fred Couples.

Not everybody watching was impressed with how Woods handled reporters' questions.

Phil Sloan of Boston said he found the golfer's promise to show more appreciation for his fans a bit too fluffy to be sincere.

"He did what Tiger does, which is he's good with the public and with the media," Sloan said. "I very much want to see Tiger play. I think he's going to tear it up. It's fabulous theatre."

Woods didn't offer many new details about his personal life or what happened the night of his car crash. That was fine with Wendell Jones, who traveled to the Masters from Tennessee with his wife, Vicki.

"Who wants to know all the minor details?" Jones asked. "I don't want to know it, and I don't think anyone else does."

Charlie Ferguson of Hilton Head, South Carolina, said he was impressed with Woods' demeanour on the course, that he frequently flashed a smile and signed a few autographs.

"When this stuff broke, he let his fans down," Ferguson said. "And today he got them all back."

Events over the next week will help everyone decide whether it is indeed an "all-new improved Tiger" on show at the 2010 Masters.

- additional reporting from AP