Woods talks drugs and winning, avoids the personal

AUGUSTA, Ga - Tiger Woods denied taking performance enhancing drugs or human growth hormone while recovering from a knee injury.

In a news conference that lasted 34 minutes at Augusta National Golf Club on Monday, Woods answered questions from an assembly of reporters for the first time since taking an indefinite leave of absence from the sport.

Woods admitted that Anthony Galea, a physician under investigation by federal authorities for allegedly smuggling drugs into the United States from Canada, had visited his home to administer platelet-rich plasma treatments, or PRP. The procedure is believed to aid the healing process by accelerating tissue repair, though Galea, a Canadian, is not licensed to practice medicine in the United States.

Woods underwent reconstructive surgery for his torn ACL in 2008 and later tore his right Achilles tendon while training and needed PRP injections for both. He also used hyperbaric chambers after the injections to heal faster.

"He never gave me HGH or any PEDs," Woods said. "I've never taken that my entire life. I've never taken any illegal drug, ever, for that matter."

Galea has been linked to other professional athletes, including Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets, both of whom have been questioned by the FBI about their dealings with Galea. Woods said federal authorities have contacted his agent at IMG, Mark Stein, but "as of right now, they have not asked for my time."

Woods will make his return to competitive golf Thursday when he tees off in his 16th Masters. Approximately four weeks after a driving accident in November at Woods' Florida home that resulted in what Woods called "a pretty sore neck" and five stitches in his lip, Woods reportedly entered a 45-day rehab program in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Asked Monday to fully explain why he was in rehab - various news accounts have accused him of conducting extramarital affairs with several different women - Woods said, "That's personal."

"Unfortunately, what I've done over the past years has been just terrible to my family," Woods said. "The fact that I won golf tournaments, I think, is irrelevant. It's the pain and the damage that I've caused my wife, my mom, my wife's family. My kids going forward are going to have to - I'm going to have to explain all of this to them. That's my responsibility. I did it."

Woods - who said his wife, Elin, will not be joining him in Augusta this week - vowed to return to his core fundamentals and morals. He said he meditates "religiously" and that he's going "back to my roots with my Buddhism." As an extension, Woods said he hopes to control his emotions on the golf course - emotions that sometimes boiled over in the past when he lashed out at the media and fans.

"I made a conscious decision to try and tone down my negative outbursts - and, consequently, I'm sure my positive outbursts will be calmed down as well," he said.

Woods played practice rounds at Augusta on Sunday and Monday and said he received a warm reception from his peers and the crowd.

"I didn't know what to expect with regards to the reception, and I tell you what, the galleries couldn't be nicer," he said. "The encouragement that I got, it was just - it blew me away, to be honest with you. It really did. The people here over the years, I know they are extremely respectful, but [Monday] was just something that really touched my heart pretty good."

Woods has won the Masters four times and is seeking his 15th major title. Asked about his expectations for the week, he didn't hesitate.

"Nothing's changed," Woods said, smiling. "I'm going to go out there and try to win this thing."