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Ten years ago, Tiger Woods was famously single minded. It seemed like winning golf tournaments wasn’t just the most important thing in the American’s life. It was the only thing. Now, Tiger says, that’s all changed.

Fast forward to the week where the world No.10 defends his WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title at Firestone, and Woods insists his kids are No.1 in his life.

“The most important thing is being a father,” said the 14-time major winner. “That’s the responsibility of a parent.

“You make that decision to have kids and bring them into the world, and that’s my No.1 priority. After that, then it would be my game, but my kids take precedent over anything.”

“That to me is so much more enjoyable than what I used to do.” – Tiger Woods

It’s not just his approach to golf that’s changed for Tiger. Even his downtime is different now.

“I take my breaks where I just get away from the game of golf,” he added.

“Now, instead of going out there and scuba diving or spear fishing, I go snorkeling just so that I can participate with the kids and do things that we all can do as a family and do it together.

“I mean, that to me is so much more enjoyable than what I used to do.”

Tiger Woods feels Firestone is a perfect fit

Video taken from PGA Tour youtube.

Woods holds the course record at Firestone, Ohio, and has won on there a total of eight times. He’s confident he can triumph again come Sunday.

“There are certain golf courses, here, Torrey , Bay Hill, even Augusta, no matter what my form is going into that week or on those particular venues, I just somehow feel good,” said Woods.

Ryder Cup qualification is something Tiger Woods has been asked about time and time again since his return from back surgery. The American, part of seven US Ryder Cup teams, maintains qualifying automatically is still his ultimate goal.

“I would like to win these two events and not have to worry about anything,” said Woods. “That’s the plan. That’s the mindset. That’s the focus.”

Tiger Woods on Nicklaus’ record

Without a major since 2008, and with a body weary from injuries, Tiger feels he still has what it takes to overhaul Jack Nicklaus’ tally of 18 majors.

“The fact there’s only one person ahead of me, it’s not too bad.” – Tiger Woods

“I’ll tell you what, it’s a hell of a lot closer now than it was in ’97,” said Tiger, on whether the record seems further now than it did after his first major triumph.

“These 14 weren’t easy. I’ve passed a lot of people on the way to get to this point.

“You look at the who’s who and the history of the game and the fact there’s only one person ahead of me, it’s not too bad.”

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