INTERVIEW with Tiger Woods
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
I've always wanted to come to Germany. Besides the Ryder Cup I've never played a Tour event on the continent. This is the first time for me and I'm excited about it. Mark (O'Meara) told me a lot about this tournament. He had a great time last year when he played and it's something I always wanted to do. Don't forget I'm only 23 and just starting to travel a bit and seeing the world and I'm really excited about playing this week.
No doubt I intend to travel more. Last year I visited some new places, such as South Africa and Japan and played the Dunhill Cup for the first time and the World Match Play in England. These are things I will be doing throughout my career around the world and try to be a more global player.
Last week I played pretty good, my swing's coming around. My game's in shape. I'm excited about the changes I've made to my swing the past year and I'm starting to see the dividends and I'm really excited.
Q: Does this reception reinforce the view that you are still in demand?
A: It's quite interesting, it's good for the tournament and I'm excited about competing, not only the interest that I've caused but with Mark O'Meara being here and a great international field. It's great for the tournament.
Q: What does Tiger Mania mean to you?
A: It means that the game of golf has a spark, it's got some interest and it's great. Very reminiscent to what Arnold Palmer had to deal with and in the sixties and seventies he came onto the scene and made such an enormous splash. He took the game of golf to the level it is now. It's interesting!
Q: Were you impressed with Sergio Garcia last week?
A: Sergio played very well. I played a practice round with him on Tuesday and I played with him at the Masters. I enjoyed that and he played extremely well last week; played a lot of good shots and it's great to see. It's always good to get off to a positive start. I did when I turned pro, so did Mickelson winning as an amateur on the Tour. It's important to get off to a good start and Sergio has done that finishing tied for third last week. It's great to see because he's not only a great player but a great kid. He is young and causing an interest. It's nice when young faces come out on Tour, fresh faces - new names, new personalities. Don't forget he's played a lot of tournaments as an amateur so he's not your typical 19 year old. He's got an inordinate amount of talent.
Q: What are your personal goals?
A: To win golf tournaments and hopefully majors. And to provide access for all people who want to play golf and education facilities. I opened up a new target house in St.Jude House in Memphis, Tennessee, to provide a library through my Foundation - a nice library for the kids to read, kids with cancer. These are things I have been doing and will continue to do and hopefully can do more of it.
I always have the desire to win more majors and any big tournament. The ultimate goal is to win majors and it's not easy. The greatest player in the game has won only 18 of them. Not easy. A lot of good things have to go your way. You have to get good breaks and hit good shots.
I love all three courses for next three majors. Not played Pinehurst but walked it and love it. I played Carnoustie in two Scottish Opens and Medinah I've played once.
