Tiger to make time for cubs

2006-03-26 17:25

New York - Tiger Woods plans to reduce his golfing schedule when he becomes a father so he can spend more time with his children, the 10-time major champion told the US television show "60 Minutes".

In an interview to be aired on Sunday, excerpts of which were posted on the show's website, Woods tells Ed Bradley that fatherhood comes before golf feats and when wife Elin gives birth to his children he will put his family first.

"I will have to obviously make adjustments in my playing schedule to make sure that I'm there as much as I possibly can, so I can be there for their entire development, entire youth, their entire life," Woods said.

"I always want my kids to know their father. Family always comes first - always has been in my life and always will."

This week showed how strong Woods values family. He flew across the United States to be with his father Earl Woods, who has battled cancer for years, and said he would skip defending his Masters title next month if necessary.

Since childhood, Woods has set a goal of breaking Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles. He almost certainly would focus on the majors even with a reduced schedule.

Woods admitted that his Thai mother Kultida was the one who struck fear into him as a child, something no golfing rival has been able to accomplish since.

"Mom was the one I was always afraid of," Woods said in the interview. "You have no idea how competitive my mom is. She would watch me compete - living every moment, live - I mean die - on every shot."

Woods' mother told Bradley her philosophy on sport was to leave friendship in the locker room.

"No matter how close friend you are, you must kill that person. When it is over, you can shake hand, be friend again," she said.

"I'm so proud of him, more than anything. Nobody gives Tiger anything. He has to earn it."

World number one Woods, 30, recalled having a stutter as a child.

"The words got lost somewhere between the brain and the mouth and it was very difficult, but I fought through it," Woods said. "I went to a school to try and get over that, and I just would work my tail off.

"I would talk to my dog and he would sit there and listen and he would fall asleep. I finally learned how to do that without stuttering all over myself."

- AFP