Tiger Woods: Transcript of his interview with Kelly Tilghman of The Golf Channel

Q: Didn't you think you should stop?

A: I tried but failed

Q: Tiger, you've been a master of control your entire life, how did things get so out of control?

Woods: Going against your core values, losing sight of it. I quit meditating, I quit being a Buddhist, and my life changed upside down. I felt entitled, which I had never felt before. Consequently, I hurt so many people by my own reckless attitude and behaviour.

Q: Were there moments you thought you should stop?

Woods: Yeah, I tried to stop and I couldn't stop. It was horrific.

Q: For a man who's so disciplined physically and psychologically, why couldn't you say no?

Woods: I don't know, now I know. It's part of what I learned in treatment, being there for 45 days you learn a lot. You strip away the denial, the rationalisation and you come to the truth and the truth is very painful at times and to stare at yourself and look at the person you've become, you become disgusted.

Q: The Masters is a demanding stage for a return of this magnitude, how do you know you're mentally prepared?

Woods: I'm excited to get back and play. I miss the game. I wasn't ready to play in Tavistock or play in Bay Hill. I started too late with my preparation.

Q: How do you know you'll be ready for the Masters?

Woods: I'm starting to get my feel back. I know how to play the golf course and that helps a lot.

Q: How will your therapy affect your 2010 schedule?

Woods: Yeah, I will have more therapy sessions. As far as my schedule going forward, I don't know what I'm going to do. That to me is a little bit bothersome, too, in a sense that I don't like not knowing what to do, but what I know I have to do is become a better person and that begins with going to more treatment.

Q: You went from becoming recognised as the greatest golfer in the world to becoming a punch line. How did that make you feel?

Woods: It was hurtful, but then again you know what, I did it. I'm the one who did those things and looking back on it now with a more clear head, I get it. I can understand why people will say these things because you know what, it was disgusting behaviour. As a person, it's hard to believe that was me, looking back on it.

Q: America was concerned when the world's greatest golfer was lying on the ground with no shoes at 2:30 in the morning, bleeding, what happened that night?

Woods: It's all in the police report, they investigated it and they have it on public record; there's a lot of stuff between Elin and I that will remain private.

Q: How did you crash the car?

Woods: I wasn't going very fast, but unfortunately, I hit a few things.

Q: What is the state of your marriage with Elin?

Woods: We're working on it and it's a process that will remain private between her and I.

Q: If your father were here today and looked back on these last four months, what would he say to you?

Woods: He'd be very disappointed in me. We'd have numerous long talks. That's one of the things I miss, I miss his guidance, wish I could have had his guidance through all this to have him help straighten me up. I know he would've done it.

Q: What do you think he would say?

Woods: Can't say it on air but he would've been very direct.

Q: How will you explain this to your children, one day when they're old enough to understand?

Woods: I will have that sit-down talk and it won't be just one time, I know that. It will be numerous times and I take full ownership of it, I did it. No one else did; it was just me and that's a responsibility that I will have. I will talk to my kids, for however long they want to talk about it. That is a conversation that will need to be had.

Q: You're wearing a bracelet. What does it mean?

Woods: It's Buddhist, it's for protection and strength and I certainly need that.

Q: When did you start wearing it?

Woods: Before I went into treatment.

Q: Will you be wearing it during the Masters?

Woods: Absolutely.

Q: For the rest of your life?

Woods: Absolutely.