Tiger Woods :: Kids come first

• Tiger Woods to still prioritise kids despite playing woes
• Heads to Torrey Pines after career-worst round of 82
• Determined to be ready for the Masters in April

Tiger Woods has denied claims that his lack of practice time has been a factor in his poor form and said he will continue in his routine for the benefit of his children.

The 14-time major champion will this week be looking to take advantage of playing at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open – where he has won eight times including the 2008 US Open – but said he will still prioritise daughter Sam and son Charlie despite his current playing woes, especially as they start to grow older.

Speaking ahead of today’s first round, Tiger Woods said: “I would say I practice much less now. One, I’ve been hurt and two, I want to spend as much time as I can with my kids. I have split custody so when I’m at home, I want to be with them, take them to a soccer game or to school or to activities. Whatever it is, I’m their dad.

“Over the years, it’s played a role in my practice time and that’s just life. I would much rather have it that way than not be able to see my kids.”

“My good is really good but unfortunately my bad is really bad.”

Woods’ short game in particular has come under scrutiny after he missed the cut with a round of 82 – the highest score he’s ever posted as a professional – at the Waste Management Phoenix Open last week and admitted he was practicing at his home over the weekend to try and overcome his struggles.

“I was in the back yard chipping and I certainly was in my hitting bay, hitting golf balls and analysing it and just trying to commit to the pattern. That said, when I get out here and I have to hit a shot, I’m caught right in between,” Tiger Woods said.

“I’m battling through that and trying to come with feel and even if I do make a bad swing I know what the fix is but I couldn’t save it during the swing itself. My good is really good but unfortunately my bad is really bad.”

Tiger Woods, who was world No.1 as little as nine months ago, is now No.56 and said he may have to be patient but is determined to be ready for the Masters in April.

He said: “It certainly is a process. I’m going through it right now and Chris and I are working our tails off to get this. I want to get this and I want to be ready come Augusta and the rest of the majors but we’ve still got some work to do.”

Tiger Woods tees off on the Torrey Pines North Course at 9.20am local time (5.20pm UK time) alongside fellow Americans Billy Horschel and Rickie Fowler.

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