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I am infinitely happier - Tiger

Tiger Woods has revealed in an interview to ESPN that the events of the past 12 months have enabled him to become a better person.

The former world No. 1 golfer and 14-time major champion saw his private life become public when he crashed his car outside his home last November. It quickly emerged that Woods had been having extra-marital affairs and he subsequently went through a divorce.

He returned to golf in April, but has struggled to find any consistency on the course. He was knocked off the top of the world rankings for the first time in 281 weeks and is without a title to his name following a barren spell.

The problems of the past 12 months have had a profound effect on Woods and he claims he is now far happier and looking to put his career back together.

"I think it is about time I made a connection to the fans," Woods told ESPN's Mike and Mike radio show with regard to this interview and his launch of a Twitter page. "They [the public] have been incredible to me the past year. I have been through a rough time and low moments; I want to say thanks and reconnect with them."

Reflecting on the events of the past year, Woods said: "If it did not happen I would not be as blessed and balanced as I am now. I am so much better because of what has happened. It is the best thing for me.

"It was a slow, gradual process. I had slipped away from my upbringing. It took years but it took me to where I was at. It was not a good place and did not feel balanced and was destructive.

"The worst part was those closest to me, the ones I love, and how much I hurt them. It was the best thing for me to go through that and come out the other side. I feel so much better and everything is in a much better perspective.

Woods has struggled for consistency this year © Getty Images

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"I am infinitely happier. I am more clear about my perspective about who I am and where I want to go."

Woods paid tribute to the public, as he admitted he was unsure of the reception he would receive in light of the revelations about his private life.

He said: "People have been more respectful and wanted to see me get back up and do well. That is the biggest surprise of all. When I go out with the kids the reception is amazing and positive and people want to see me doing well."

The priorities for Woods have changed, with his children at the forefront of his mind, but he is still driven to surpass Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major wins and knows he has work to do to get there.

"The best way to rebuild is to get to grips with where I am," he said. "I was frustrated, down and angry and I was not happy with who I was. That's the good thing about this year. I have come out of the other side.

"[I have] the same drive to get better, no doubt. That is a daily process. I can't get better as a player if I don't get better as a person. I am trying to do that.

"The priority is my kids, no doubt. I am doing everything to make their lives better for the future."

On being stuck four majors behind Nicklaus, Woods said: "It is still important. I want to get to 19, no doubt. But I have to play better and shoot lower scores. Shooting rounds in the 70s is not going to get it done.

"I am just putting the pieces together with Sean [Foley, swing coach] and understanding what he wants me to do with the swing. We have had to work on the fixes and it is taking time to get used to. I have to trust that it is the right fix and that is what we are getting towards."

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