Tiger talks

WINDERMERE, Fla., March 22 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods's return to the golf course is 10 days away -- the first day of the Masters in Augusta, Ga. -- and he's unsure about the reception he'll receive.

Woods stepped away from golf late last year after a bizarre series of events including a late-night vehicle crash and allegations -- and admissions -- of marital infidelities. Since then he's undergone therapy and made an obviously uneasy televised apology.

Woods granted ESPN and the Golf Channel interviews Sunday about his return to public view. April 8's first round of the Masters will be his first public appearance since his image of a straight-laced, laser-focused golfer was shattered.

"It would be nice to hear a couple of claps here and there," Woods told ESPN's Tom Rinaldi.

The only limits Woods placed on the ESPN interview was length -- 5 minutes -- but no line of questioning was barred, although some questions were given "It's personal" responses. Rinaldi did a good job of asking the most pertinent questions. Woods's answers indicated a solid remorse for the actions that led to his difficulties.

"I was doing a lot of things that hurt a lot of people," Woods said.

Woods didn't detail the treatment he received at clinics in Mississippi and Arizona but admitted, "It was really tough to look at yourself in a light you never want to look at yourself, that's pretty brutal."

The Masters environments will be relatively protected. The galleries aren't as open as in many tournaments and the media access can be more limited. But still Woods will be among the masses for the first time. The reception will be carefully watched to see if his public comments or remorse are taken to heart.

Woods said: "There were a lot of people that thought I was a different person and my actions were not according to that. That's why I had to apologize. I was so sorry for what I had done."