• PGA Tour

Woods hails 'very successful' 2010 despite turmoil

ESPN staff
December 1, 2010
Tiger Woods is feeling optimistic © Getty Images
Enlarge

Tiger Woods has hailed 2010 as a "very successful" year, despite the break-up of his marriage and the loss of the world No. 1 ranking over the past 12 months.

The 34-year-old saw his world turned upside down by a series of revelations about his personal life that began to emerge at around this time last year. Woods took a five-month hiatus from golf in order to try and overcome his problems, before making a return in April at The Masters.

Since then, much of his play has been erratic - just two top tens from 12 events played on the PGA Tour - and he has opted to rebuild his swing under the guidance of new coach Sean Foley. But Woods, who lost the world No. 1 spot to Lee Westwood in October, insists that his recent performances have provided him with renewed optimism.

"As a golfer I learnt so much more this year than any other year," Woods said. "Over the last five to six tournaments I've played I get in these hot streaks, where I do it right. And before they would last two to four holes, but now they're lasting close to nine holes. I've got to get it for 18 holes, eventually all 72 and then an entire major championship.

"And as a person [I've learnt] infinitely more - so it's been a very successful year. It's been very rewarding at the same time. It forced me to look deeper into myself and look and how I'd grown up and how those things didn't match with the person I am. Getting back to how my parents raised me, basically."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices