Woods Expects No Ill Effects From 14-Day Layoff

Teeing off bright and early to the delight of scribes and lens experts, Tiger Woods followed his press conference by answering spellbinding questions about his knee, the match play and his new son. Then he had to duck for these brush back pitches:

Q. Do you have any plans in the future to play in Latin America at all?

Q. I wanted to ask you this in Arizona, but I never got a chance. You've made some really good commercials over the years, but this Sunshine Lollipops Rainbows one, this is outstanding, this one. What is the story on this one, and commercially, do you dig them or are they a pain?

He was asked a few tougher questions.

Q. You alluded to this earlier, that state of the TOUR, with sponsorships and whatnot, are not the best, and early in the season, Commissioner Finchem asked people to be a little more participating, I guess, and asked for cooperation of players. Do you contemplate playing in events that you typically haven't before? Of course, this is assuming the knee is in good shape; or any other kind of contributions?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, well, I can help out as much as I possibly can. I know I'm doing a few things for Tim down the road, but as far as competing in more events, I really don't know.

For Tim? Sounds so...romantic when you put it that way.

And regarding his criticized last minute entry to Doral...

Q. After the Match Play event, I think the assumption was that this would be your next tournament, barring any physical setbacks; why did you wait till the last minute to commit?

TIGER WOODS: Kind of typically what I always do (laughter).

Q. Why?

TIGER WOODS: I don't know. I just tend to do things that way. (Smiling).

And on missing Masters excitement:

Q. Do you miss that?

TIGER WOODS: I miss guys being able to go out there and shoot 31 on that back nine and win a championship. You know, granted, we have had bad weather the last two years and that's aided the high scoring. But hopefully we can get some good weather and the ball will be flying again, like it can, and guys will be a little bit more aggressive on that back nine and create a little more excitement on Sunday.