The last five months have seen nothing but change for Tiger Woods and the world of golf but the world number one says his expectations remain the same as always on the course as he heads into US Masters week at Augusta.
Despite fighting to save his marriage, undergoing therapy and being dropped by numerous sponsors during his five-month absence since a string of extra-marital affairs were revealed before Christmas, the four-time winner at Augusta insists he’s in Georgia for the same reason he came the 16 times previously. To win.
Contrition was again the theme of his long-awaited media briefing, as it was when he made a speech in front of a carefully assembled audience at PGA headquarters in February.
This time, however, he had to answer questions from a 180-strong press corps - though he insisted there were many “friends” in the audience, who were right when they criticised him over the last few months.
Woods appeared at ease, but remained humble and apologetic for the most part – to family, fans and peers – but was bullish when asked about his expectations this week.
“Nothing’s changed,” he grinned. “I’m gonna try and go out there and win this thing.”
He does, of course, have some worries about his game after playing a practice round with Fred Couples this morning, but hopes to get back into the groove sooner rather than later.
“The fact that I haven’t really played at all, that’s a little bit concerning,” he added. “I’m hoping I get my feel back quickly. You know, my feel for the game, my feel for the shots, feel for how my body’s reacting, what my distances are going to be.
“I hope I get that back relatively quickly.
“Hopefully it’s the first hole, but if not, please hope it’s the second hole.”
Woods opened by thanking his fellow golfers for their patience in the face of persistent questioning since November and also said he was going to be a new man on the course.
“I’m actually going to try and not get as hot when I play, but again when I’m not as hot I’m not going to be as exuberant either,” he said, while adding he would have more respect for the game and the fans, who he has “under-appreciated” in the past.
"Coming into today I didn't know what to expect with regards to the reception," Woods said. "I tell you what the galleries couldn't have been nicer.
"The encouragement, it blew me away. The people here over the years are extremely respectful, but today was something that touched my heart pretty good."
As expected, Woods was questioned on his relationship with controversial Canadian doctor, Anthony Galea, who is under criminal investigation in the US for allegedly supplying performance enhancing drugs to athletes.
Woods admitted the doctor had visited his house on four occasions, but denied ever using the human growth hormone (HGH), while recovering from injury.
Galea visited his home during the golfer’s recovery from knee surgery and Woods acknowledged he had received a treatment known as “blood spinning.”
However, Woods added: “He (Galea) did come to my house, he never gave me HGH. I had PRP (platelet rich plasma) treatment.”
Asked if federal agents had contacted him in relation to Galea’s case, Woods added: “They contacted my agent and will get full cooperation whenever they need me, but right now they haven’t asked for my time.”
When quizzed on his thoughts for those players who will be under the spotlight if they are drawn to play with him tomorrow, Woods said there was no better place than Augusta because of the tight controls on the press.
“If there is one week that you would probably want to have a pairing with me, considering the circumstances, it would probably be this week,” he said, before taking leave to plot his what he hopes will be fifth US Masters win.
[ Full transcript of Tiger Woods press conference Opens in new window ]