Iconic professional golfer Tiger Woods held his first open press conference at Augusta on Monday going into more detail about his therapy, his family, the allegations of performance-enhancing drugs, and the current state of his golf game.
After one of the most damaging public scandals in professional sports history, Tiger Woods has tried to emerge from the wreckage and return to the sport he has dominated since he joined the PGA in 1996.
Yet a significant number of the questions on Monday were still directed at the cloud surrounding his past indiscretions.
“I did it, and I take full responsibility for it. And as I said, winning golf tournaments, I think through all of this, is irrelevant compared to all the damage I’ve caused,” said Woods.
“You know, my wife, my mom, my wife’s family, my kids, going forward ... I’m going to have to explain all this to them. And, you know, that’s my responsibility.” he added.
Woods finally expanded upon the details surrounding Dr. Anthony Galea, a sports physician who was recently arrested for possession of performance-enhancing drugs, denying any wrongdoing on his part.
“He never gave me HGH or any PEDs. I’ve never taken that my entire life. I’ve never taken any illegal drug ever, for that matter.”
“I had PRP, platelet-rich plasma, treatments. And basically, what that is, is they draw blood from your arm, spin it in a centrifuge, and take the plasma out and insert it into the injuries.”
Woods tore his ACL and LCL in 2008 and had received the PRP injections amidst his recovery and rehabilitation.
Woods said the knee has fully recovered and he is playing at his best.
“My knee feels great. The only time it doesn’t feel good is when a [cold] front comes through. That’s when most people realize that. Arthritis in there, and you get a little older.
“But other than that, it feels great. It’s strong. It’s explosive again, which is great. And now my Achilles is good now. So I’m training like I used to years ago.”
The press conference closed in amiable fashion with Woods thanking the many reporters he has known over the years.
The Masters tournament begins on Thursday.
After one of the most damaging public scandals in professional sports history, Tiger Woods has tried to emerge from the wreckage and return to the sport he has dominated since he joined the PGA in 1996.
Yet a significant number of the questions on Monday were still directed at the cloud surrounding his past indiscretions.
“I did it, and I take full responsibility for it. And as I said, winning golf tournaments, I think through all of this, is irrelevant compared to all the damage I’ve caused,” said Woods.
“You know, my wife, my mom, my wife’s family, my kids, going forward ... I’m going to have to explain all this to them. And, you know, that’s my responsibility.” he added.
Woods finally expanded upon the details surrounding Dr. Anthony Galea, a sports physician who was recently arrested for possession of performance-enhancing drugs, denying any wrongdoing on his part.
“He never gave me HGH or any PEDs. I’ve never taken that my entire life. I’ve never taken any illegal drug ever, for that matter.”
“I had PRP, platelet-rich plasma, treatments. And basically, what that is, is they draw blood from your arm, spin it in a centrifuge, and take the plasma out and insert it into the injuries.”
Woods tore his ACL and LCL in 2008 and had received the PRP injections amidst his recovery and rehabilitation.
Woods said the knee has fully recovered and he is playing at his best.
“My knee feels great. The only time it doesn’t feel good is when a [cold] front comes through. That’s when most people realize that. Arthritis in there, and you get a little older.
“But other than that, it feels great. It’s strong. It’s explosive again, which is great. And now my Achilles is good now. So I’m training like I used to years ago.”
The press conference closed in amiable fashion with Woods thanking the many reporters he has known over the years.
The Masters tournament begins on Thursday.
