Tiger’s beginning to crawl out of the Woods.
In two separate interviews tonight, the golf great, serial cheater and sex addiction rehab grad talked about the scandals that played havoc with his marriage and career.
“I’ve done some pretty bad things in my life,” he told ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi in a 5-minute interview, adding that he didn’t know what kind of reception he’ll get when he returns to competitive golf at The Masters on April 8.
“I’m a little nervous about that to be honest with you,” he said.
“It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there. But I also hope they clap for birdies too.”
VIDEO: TIGER BREAKS HIS SILENCE
In a six-minute sit-down with the Golf Channel, which aired at the same time, Woods appeared to have tears welling up in his eyes and said, “I tried to stop and couldn’t stop.” He added that he became “disgusted” with himself.
Guiding that interview was Kelly Tilghman, who is close with Woods, has served as the emcee for some of his clinics and is the narrator’s voice on his video game.
He grimly admitted to ESPN that he somehow didn’t realize how badly his sex life was out of control.
“Well I didn’t know I was that bad … stripping away denial, rationalization,” he said. “You strip that away and you find the truth.”
He said the reaction from his long-suffering wife, Elin, and mother was positively “brutal.”
“They’ve both been very tough,” he said. “Because I hurt them the most. Those are the two people in my life who I’m closest to and to say the things that I’ve done, truthfully to them, is … honestly was … very painful.”
He said he’s looking forward to getting back on the green for the sport’s most revered championship.
“Well, playing is one thing,” he said. “I’m excited to get back and play, I’m excited to get to see the guys again. I really miss a lot of my friends out there.
“I miss competing,” he added. “But still, I still have a lot more treatment to do, and just because I’m playing, doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop going to treatment.”
Next month, Woods will end more than four months of seclusion and play the Masters, shielded by the most secure environment in golf as he competes for the first time since the myriad tales of his sexcapades hit the headlines.