Boris Becker tries to steal the spotlight from his stunning wife Lilly at the Laureus World Sports Awards with his athletic prowess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b-2m_K1UYcendofvid


[starttext]


By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Still got it: A redfaced Boris shows off his athletic prowess as he performs chin ups for the clapping audience


Arriving on the red carpet of the Laureus World Sports Awards tonight, all eyes were on Boris Becker's stunning wife Sharlely 'Lilly' Kerssenberg in her dazzling gold gown.

But once inside the venue, the German tennis ace managed to steal the spotlight by showing off his athletic prowess.

The retired sportsman, 43, showed he's still in good shape as he performed some chin-ups on a metal bar to the delight of the star-studded crowd at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

However, his Dutch wife Lilly, 34, was definitely the belle of the ball in her shimmering silver and bronze floor-length strapless gown.

The fitted dress demonstrated she had got her model figure back exactly a year after giving birth to her first child - and Boris's fourth - Amadeus.

Perhaps in a bid to keep up with his nine-years-younger wife, Becker admitted undergoing a facelift recently.


Nice set of wheels: The couple pose in front of a Mercedes Benz as they arrive at the bash


He told Daybreak in November: 'I also had a facelift recently and I coloured my hair, so...

'I turned 43 this week, and winning Wimbledon was 25 years ago, and I do feel very much like I'm 43 right now.'

As a member of the Laureus Sports Academy panel, Becker attends the ceremony every year and helps choose the winners.

The big winners this year were Spain with both tennis player Rafael Nadal and their World Cup football picking up Sportsman Of The Year and Team Of The Year respectively.


Strike a pose: Spanish actress Elsa Pataky - soon to be seen in the next Fast And The Furious sequel - showed off her curves in a mocha dress


French footballer Zinedine Zidane, who attended with his wife Veronique, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

However, one winner, U.S. Alpine skier Lindsay Vonn, could not make the event to pick up her Sportswoman of the Year because she is currently participating in the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Germany.

Vonn won the Olympic Downhill Gold medal at the Vancouver Winter Games in February 2010 just days after injuring her shin.


That's entertainment: Host Kevin Spacey holds one of the awards (left), while Irish pop star Ronan Keating belts out a number


Brave: Spacey played a game of table tennis on stage with Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal


The ceremony was hosted by Hollywood star Kevin Spacey, who enjoyed a spot of table tennis with the Wimbledon champion Nadal.

Entertainment was provided by Irish pop star Ronan Keating, who looked dapper in a black suit.

Aside from Lilly, other glamour at the predominantly-male awards was provided by British Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes and Spanish actresses Paz Vega and Elsa Pataky.


Sports stars and their WAGS: Italian jockey Frankie Dettori and his wife Catherine (left) and French football star Zinedine Zidane and his wife Veronique (right)


Triumphant: (L-R) Nadal with his Sportsman Of The Year trophy, American surfer Kelly Slater with his World Action Sportsperson of the Year and Zidane with his Lifetime Achievement honour





Rafael Nadal - Laureus World Sports Awards




source: dailymail [endtext]

PICTURE SPECIAL: Abbey Clancy joins stunning line-up of international WAGs to launch World Cup kits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17_4KcB3Bwendofvid
[starttext]
By Tom Bellwood

Abbey days: Clancy sports the rather nifty England design


We thought the WAGs were banned for the World Cup? It would appear not.
England boss Fabio Capello wants all distractions removed for the forthcoming tournament in South Africa - but when they look this good, we'd rather they were there

As the big tournament approaches, Umbro has designed shirts to celebrate each of the seven nations who have become world champions.

And with a stroke of genius they have asked the likes of Peter Crouch's fiancee Abbey Clancy and an array of other lovelies to model the gear ahead of the launch


Tidy kit: Representing Italy is Alice Bregoli (left), the girlfriend of Alberto Gilardino, while Uruguay is modelled by Diego Forlan's wife Zaira Nara


And as you can see they're all absolute dazzlers - we're talking about the shirts, of course..

Each kit has a redesigned national badge, which Umbro tell us have been designed by 'mixture of graffiti artists, cartoonists, tattoo designers, record label owners' and blah, blah, blah.


Getting shirty: Gael Clichy's wife Charlene Suric (left) shows off the France design, while Luli Fernandez - girlfriend of Pablo Mouche - wears the Argentina kit

The launch of the kits mirrors a promotion Umbro lead way back in the 60s - but we reckon the current crop of shirts and models will stand the test of time.

The stunning shots of the World Champions Collection were taken by Rankin who said: 'The girls in the campaign all look stunning and they were a pleasure to work with. I’m extremely pleased with the results.'
We couldn't agree more.


On to a winner: Marcell Jansen's wife Julia Godicke in the Germany colours, with Susana Werner - Julio Cesar's other half - in the famous yellow of Brazil
[endtext]

PICTURE SPECIAL: Abbey Clancy joins stunning line-up of international WAGs to launch World Cup kits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17_4KcB3Bwendofvid
[starttext]
By Tom Bellwood

Abbey days: Clancy sports the rather nifty England design


We thought the WAGs were banned for the World Cup? It would appear not.
England boss Fabio Capello wants all distractions removed for the forthcoming tournament in South Africa - but when they look this good, we'd rather they were there

As the big tournament approaches, Umbro has designed shirts to celebrate each of the seven nations who have become world champions.

And with a stroke of genius they have asked the likes of Peter Crouch's fiancee Abbey Clancy and an array of other lovelies to model the gear ahead of the launch


Tidy kit: Representing Italy is Alice Bregoli (left), the girlfriend of Alberto Gilardino, while Uruguay is modelled by Diego Forlan's wife Zaira Nara


And as you can see they're all absolute dazzlers - we're talking about the shirts, of course..

Each kit has a redesigned national badge, which Umbro tell us have been designed by 'mixture of graffiti artists, cartoonists, tattoo designers, record label owners' and blah, blah, blah.


Getting shirty: Gael Clichy's wife Charlene Suric (left) shows off the France design, while Luli Fernandez - girlfriend of Pablo Mouche - wears the Argentina kit

The launch of the kits mirrors a promotion Umbro lead way back in the 60s - but we reckon the current crop of shirts and models will stand the test of time.

The stunning shots of the World Champions Collection were taken by Rankin who said: 'The girls in the campaign all look stunning and they were a pleasure to work with. I’m extremely pleased with the results.'
We couldn't agree more.


On to a winner: Marcell Jansen's wife Julia Godicke in the Germany colours, with Susana Werner - Julio Cesar's other half - in the famous yellow of Brazil
[endtext]

Tiger Woods cheered and applauded by fans as he makes golfing return at the U.S. Masters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut8rXPzospkendofvid
[starttext]
By Daily Mail Reporter

Shamed golfer Tiger Woods was watched by over 1,000 people as he made his golfing return today


Tiger Woods has been cheered and applauded by fans after making his return to the golf circuit following a five-month absence.

The sportsman waved to the crowd as he walked confidently onto the golf course for the U.S. Masters in Augusta, Georgia, wearing a Nike striped t-shirt and a navy blue baseball cap.

All eyes were on the shamed golfer, who was making his first official appearance since revelations of his numerous extra-marital affairs first emerged last November, who finished two shots off the lead at four under par after an impressive first round.


Tiger waves to the gallery on the first tee during the first round of the Masters


Tiger had said previously he was 'nervous' about the reception he would receive, adding: 'It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there!'

But today he said: 'All day the crowd reaction was unbelievable. I haven't heard the people cheer that loud in all my years here and it really helped, especially when you're missing a few putts.

'I took the practice very seriously, I was trying really hard for weeks on end. I wouldn't say I was more aggressive, but the golf course was a little bit more there to be had today, the tees were up.

'I just tried to stay focused and keep plodding along, try not to give any shots away. I would think a couple under par would have been a very good start.'

Bookmakers have made Tiger the 5 to 1 favourite to win his fifth Masters green jacket.

Tiger Woods looked confident as he teed off at the Masters tournament this evening


Tiger with fellow golfer Matt Kucher at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia


Scottish golfer Sam Torrance, who was corresponding on Tiger's comeback on BBC News, said: 'I don't think I have ever seen a crowd like that on the first day. He's great Tiger, and we want him out there playing, showing us what he can do.'

The only interruption for Tiger came when an aeroplane flew over the course pulling a banner reading 'Tiger: Did you mean bootyism?' - a reference to Woods' claim that part of the reason for his troubles was that he left his faith, Buddhism.

Some people in the stands laughed and pulled out binoculars to get a closer look.

Later, another banner said: 'Sex Addict? Yeah. Right. Sure. Me, Too.'


The crowd of spectators watch intently as Tiger takes his first shot


Tiger gets instructions from caddie Steve Williams before teeing off


Tiger's comeback has also been criticised by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, one of golf's leading officials, who condemned the sportsman for the double life he was leading.

'It is simply not the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here,' Mr Payne said in a surprisingly frank dressing-down of Tiger at the annual state of the Masters news conference yesterday.

'It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children.


Tiger's golfing comeback was uninterrupted apart from a small plane flying over the course with this banner attached


Tiger tips his cap to the crowd as he walks up the 18th green


'Is there a way forward? I hope yes. But certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change.'

And Mr Payne isn't the only person to be against Tiger's return to the golf course.

His wife Elin, who has not been seen with her husband since allegations first broke of his affairs in November, is said to have refused to attend the Masters tournament because she is furious that Tiger has decided to make his comeback so quickly after the controversy surrounding their marriage.


Tiger's wife Elin Nordegren is said to have refused to attend the Masters because she is angry the sportsman is returning to golf so soon

A source told U.S. gossip website RadarOnline.com: 'There’s a reason why Elin didn’t go to the tournament and it’s simple.

'She thinks he’s breaking his promise to her by returning to golf so soon. And as every day goes by she gets a little angrier.

'Not only did she refuse his request



Creepy: Shamed golfer Tiger Woods listens to his late father speaking to him from beyond the grave in a bizarre new Nike advert


The wheels were set in motion for Tiger's comeback yesterday, when Nike released a an advert featuring the voice of the sportsman's late father Earl.

In the television ad, shot recently at Tiger's home course in Florida, the shamed golfer listens to Earl asking questions apparently about his return to golf following his sex scandal.

'Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything,' Earl says as the camera slowly zooms in on Tiger.

Filmed in black and white, the advert has the bizarre quality of a dream. Tiger appears upset, and the slow zooming of the camera is punctuated with flashes of light - hinting at the frantic clicking of the media's cameras.

The 30-second spot aired on the Golf Channel and ESPN yesterday and was to run until shortly after the star tees-off this evening.

A Nike spokesman said the new commercial portrays the ongoing influence Earl has on his son's life.

'We support Tiger and his family as he returns to competitive golf,' Derek Kent said.

'The ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father.'
[endtext]

Tiger Woods cheered and applauded by fans as he makes golfing return at the U.S. Masters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut8rXPzospkendofvid
[starttext]
By Daily Mail Reporter

Shamed golfer Tiger Woods was watched by over 1,000 people as he made his golfing return today


Tiger Woods has been cheered and applauded by fans after making his return to the golf circuit following a five-month absence.

The sportsman waved to the crowd as he walked confidently onto the golf course for the U.S. Masters in Augusta, Georgia, wearing a Nike striped t-shirt and a navy blue baseball cap.

All eyes were on the shamed golfer, who was making his first official appearance since revelations of his numerous extra-marital affairs first emerged last November, who finished two shots off the lead at four under par after an impressive first round.


Tiger waves to the gallery on the first tee during the first round of the Masters


Tiger had said previously he was 'nervous' about the reception he would receive, adding: 'It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there!'

But today he said: 'All day the crowd reaction was unbelievable. I haven't heard the people cheer that loud in all my years here and it really helped, especially when you're missing a few putts.

'I took the practice very seriously, I was trying really hard for weeks on end. I wouldn't say I was more aggressive, but the golf course was a little bit more there to be had today, the tees were up.

'I just tried to stay focused and keep plodding along, try not to give any shots away. I would think a couple under par would have been a very good start.'

Bookmakers have made Tiger the 5 to 1 favourite to win his fifth Masters green jacket.

Tiger Woods looked confident as he teed off at the Masters tournament this evening


Tiger with fellow golfer Matt Kucher at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia


Scottish golfer Sam Torrance, who was corresponding on Tiger's comeback on BBC News, said: 'I don't think I have ever seen a crowd like that on the first day. He's great Tiger, and we want him out there playing, showing us what he can do.'

The only interruption for Tiger came when an aeroplane flew over the course pulling a banner reading 'Tiger: Did you mean bootyism?' - a reference to Woods' claim that part of the reason for his troubles was that he left his faith, Buddhism.

Some people in the stands laughed and pulled out binoculars to get a closer look.

Later, another banner said: 'Sex Addict? Yeah. Right. Sure. Me, Too.'


The crowd of spectators watch intently as Tiger takes his first shot


Tiger gets instructions from caddie Steve Williams before teeing off


Tiger's comeback has also been criticised by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, one of golf's leading officials, who condemned the sportsman for the double life he was leading.

'It is simply not the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here,' Mr Payne said in a surprisingly frank dressing-down of Tiger at the annual state of the Masters news conference yesterday.

'It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children.


Tiger's golfing comeback was uninterrupted apart from a small plane flying over the course with this banner attached


Tiger tips his cap to the crowd as he walks up the 18th green


'Is there a way forward? I hope yes. But certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change.'

And Mr Payne isn't the only person to be against Tiger's return to the golf course.

His wife Elin, who has not been seen with her husband since allegations first broke of his affairs in November, is said to have refused to attend the Masters tournament because she is furious that Tiger has decided to make his comeback so quickly after the controversy surrounding their marriage.


Tiger's wife Elin Nordegren is said to have refused to attend the Masters because she is angry the sportsman is returning to golf so soon

A source told U.S. gossip website RadarOnline.com: 'There’s a reason why Elin didn’t go to the tournament and it’s simple.

'She thinks he’s breaking his promise to her by returning to golf so soon. And as every day goes by she gets a little angrier.

'Not only did she refuse his request



Creepy: Shamed golfer Tiger Woods listens to his late father speaking to him from beyond the grave in a bizarre new Nike advert


The wheels were set in motion for Tiger's comeback yesterday, when Nike released a an advert featuring the voice of the sportsman's late father Earl.

In the television ad, shot recently at Tiger's home course in Florida, the shamed golfer listens to Earl asking questions apparently about his return to golf following his sex scandal.

'Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything,' Earl says as the camera slowly zooms in on Tiger.

Filmed in black and white, the advert has the bizarre quality of a dream. Tiger appears upset, and the slow zooming of the camera is punctuated with flashes of light - hinting at the frantic clicking of the media's cameras.

The 30-second spot aired on the Golf Channel and ESPN yesterday and was to run until shortly after the star tees-off this evening.

A Nike spokesman said the new commercial portrays the ongoing influence Earl has on his son's life.

'We support Tiger and his family as he returns to competitive golf,' Derek Kent said.

'The ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father.'
[endtext]

Wayne Rooney is driving Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson crazy to put him on the bench for crunch Bayern Munich tie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG6Y_icxn9sendofvid
[starttext]
By Simon Jones and Ian Ladyman

Please pick me, Sir: Wayne Rooney is desperate to be picked to play Bayern


Wayne Rooney is pleading with Sir Alex Ferguson to pick him as a substitute for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United striker has made rapid progress since suffering an ankle injury last week and is desperate to play some part in the second leg of the quarter-final tie, which United trail 2-1.

Ferguson has forbidden Rooney to drive for fear it could hinder recovery and the striker, driven by Michael Carrick, trained alone and still seemed troubled by the ankle.

Ferguson does not expect Rooney, 24, to return just yet but conceded his striker will drive him crazy with requests to be included against Bayern.


Raring to go: But Fergie does not want goal hero Rooney to rush back from injury


Ferguson said: ‘We’ve made some good progress with the lad but I’m not prepared to take the risk if he’s not 100 per cent fit. We’re looking at the Manchester City game (on April 17) or maybe Blackburn (Sunday) as a sub, possibly.

‘I don’t think he’ll be on the bench for this one — but he may try and persuade me!’


[endtext]

Wayne Rooney is driving Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson crazy to put him on the bench for crunch Bayern Munich tie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG6Y_icxn9sendofvid
[starttext]
By Simon Jones and Ian Ladyman

Please pick me, Sir: Wayne Rooney is desperate to be picked to play Bayern


Wayne Rooney is pleading with Sir Alex Ferguson to pick him as a substitute for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United striker has made rapid progress since suffering an ankle injury last week and is desperate to play some part in the second leg of the quarter-final tie, which United trail 2-1.

Ferguson has forbidden Rooney to drive for fear it could hinder recovery and the striker, driven by Michael Carrick, trained alone and still seemed troubled by the ankle.

Ferguson does not expect Rooney, 24, to return just yet but conceded his striker will drive him crazy with requests to be included against Bayern.


Raring to go: But Fergie does not want goal hero Rooney to rush back from injury


Ferguson said: ‘We’ve made some good progress with the lad but I’m not prepared to take the risk if he’s not 100 per cent fit. We’re looking at the Manchester City game (on April 17) or maybe Blackburn (Sunday) as a sub, possibly.

‘I don’t think he’ll be on the bench for this one — but he may try and persuade me!’


[endtext]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hails 'unstoppable' Lionel Messi after Barca rout

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgfaQYoxgwMendofvid
[starttext]
Centre of attention: Lionel Messi hit four incredible goals to destroy Arsenal

‘When he changes direction at such pace no-one can stay with him. He is very young but he can achieve a lot. He has six or seven years in front of him — touch wood that nothing happens to him — and he can reach unbelievable levels.

‘For example, the fourth goal he scored, I don’t know many players in the world who can score that. He made the impossible possible. He has something exceptional.’
Wenger was without five

first-choice players and bemoaned an opportunity wasted to add to Nicklas Bendtner’s opener before Messi equalised but Abou Diaby picked a pass left to the Dane when a better option looked like a ball right to Theo Walcott.

The Arsenal manager said: ‘We started strongly and had a good opportunity to score the second goal. We had chances to come back to 2-1 but we missed a good opportunity.

‘We made too many mistakes defensively to get away with it in a game like that. They were always first on the ball, in the space, and we were punished for that. We conceded cheap goals. They didn’t have to work hard enough. When they have players like Messi, you can pay for any mistake.

‘I must congratulate Barcelona. We lost against a team that is better than us. They are in the semi-finals and they have a chance to do it. They have players coming back and I believe they are the best side at the moment in Europe. But it’s a cup. If we had taken every opportunity tonight, we could have made life very difficult for them.’


Picking up the pieces: Arsene Wenger is left to pursue the Premier League crown


Arsenal must lift themselves for the final five games of the Barclays Premier League, starting with a north London derby at Tottenham next week.

‘Yes, of course, you worry,’ said Wenger. ‘It’s a big disappointment and we have to recover quickly because we cannot drop any points to have a chance to fight for the Premier League.

'White Hart Lane has been a place where we’ve done well over the years, so we don’t go there with a negative history. It forces you straight away to focus because you know it’s going to be a derby.

‘When you go out of the Champions League, the next day you are in front of a very empty future. Our dreams are involved in that but you have to address the disappointment and make sure you’re ready for the next game.’


Gunned down: Arsenal players are despondent in defeat after Messi's heroics

Arsenal’s players added their thoughts on Barcelona, Messi’s performance in particular.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia said: ‘They’re brilliant. The team in general is fantastic. We played better in the first leg but Messi is very, very good.

‘You have to try to anticipate what he’s going to do but it’s very difficult because he is so skilled. He can do whatever he wants at any time and it’s difficult to stop this kind of player. He was great tonight. I have a very bad memory but I have to say he is the best player I have ever come up against.’

Bendtner added: ‘He’s a phenomenal player and he showed that again. They played some really good football. If you are going to lose, you want to lose by the other team playing you off the pitch. They were stronger than us.’
[endtext]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hails 'unstoppable' Lionel Messi after Barca rout

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgfaQYoxgwMendofvid
[starttext]
Centre of attention: Lionel Messi hit four incredible goals to destroy Arsenal

‘When he changes direction at such pace no-one can stay with him. He is very young but he can achieve a lot. He has six or seven years in front of him — touch wood that nothing happens to him — and he can reach unbelievable levels.

‘For example, the fourth goal he scored, I don’t know many players in the world who can score that. He made the impossible possible. He has something exceptional.’
Wenger was without five

first-choice players and bemoaned an opportunity wasted to add to Nicklas Bendtner’s opener before Messi equalised but Abou Diaby picked a pass left to the Dane when a better option looked like a ball right to Theo Walcott.

The Arsenal manager said: ‘We started strongly and had a good opportunity to score the second goal. We had chances to come back to 2-1 but we missed a good opportunity.

‘We made too many mistakes defensively to get away with it in a game like that. They were always first on the ball, in the space, and we were punished for that. We conceded cheap goals. They didn’t have to work hard enough. When they have players like Messi, you can pay for any mistake.

‘I must congratulate Barcelona. We lost against a team that is better than us. They are in the semi-finals and they have a chance to do it. They have players coming back and I believe they are the best side at the moment in Europe. But it’s a cup. If we had taken every opportunity tonight, we could have made life very difficult for them.’


Picking up the pieces: Arsene Wenger is left to pursue the Premier League crown


Arsenal must lift themselves for the final five games of the Barclays Premier League, starting with a north London derby at Tottenham next week.

‘Yes, of course, you worry,’ said Wenger. ‘It’s a big disappointment and we have to recover quickly because we cannot drop any points to have a chance to fight for the Premier League.

'White Hart Lane has been a place where we’ve done well over the years, so we don’t go there with a negative history. It forces you straight away to focus because you know it’s going to be a derby.

‘When you go out of the Champions League, the next day you are in front of a very empty future. Our dreams are involved in that but you have to address the disappointment and make sure you’re ready for the next game.’


Gunned down: Arsenal players are despondent in defeat after Messi's heroics

Arsenal’s players added their thoughts on Barcelona, Messi’s performance in particular.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia said: ‘They’re brilliant. The team in general is fantastic. We played better in the first leg but Messi is very, very good.

‘You have to try to anticipate what he’s going to do but it’s very difficult because he is so skilled. He can do whatever he wants at any time and it’s difficult to stop this kind of player. He was great tonight. I have a very bad memory but I have to say he is the best player I have ever come up against.’

Bendtner added: ‘He’s a phenomenal player and he showed that again. They played some really good football. If you are going to lose, you want to lose by the other team playing you off the pitch. They were stronger than us.’
[endtext]

'I'm amazed that fans still cheer for me' says Tiger Woods in first press conference since infidelity scandal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5sp4ZxNehQendofvid
[starttext]
By Daily Mail Reporter

'I've done some horrible things': Tiger Woods speaks during a press conference at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia


Tiger Woods will make his golfing comeback without his wife Elin at his side, he admitted last night.

He also claimed that 'nothing has changed' and he is still out to win, despite his recent troubles.

Woods, refused to answer questions about Elin, saying only that she was not with him at the U.S. Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

Speaking at a press conference on the eve of his return at the Masters, Woods said repeatedly that he was ashamed of what he had done to his family with his multiple infidelities.

But the four-time Augusta champion said he was happy to be returning to golf, and the welcome from the fans 'blew me away'.

The 34-year-old, who has not played competitive golf since his private life spectacularly unravelled at the end of last year, admitted that he was amazed that his fans were still cheering for him.

'Coming in today I didn't know what to expect, of course with the reception,' he said.

'The reception I received from the galleries is something that really touched my heart.'

Woods, who said golf felt 'fun' again, insisted he wanted to leave the Masters with more than his dignity. 'I am going to go out there to win this thing,' he said.


Tiger Woods walks off the driving range today with his swing coach Hank Haney before his practice round for the U.S. Masters in Augusta


Tiger looked slightly out of shape on the course yesterday next to leading British golfer Paul Casey


Wearing a baseball cap with his personal TW logo and a Nike polo shirt, Woods said he was still working on his behavioural problems after 45 days in rehab, allegedly for sex addiction. He refused to describe his treatment, saying it was 'personal'.

'I missed my son's first birthday [while in rehab] and that hurt a lot,' he said.
'I vowed to never miss another one after that. It was something I regret and I will do for the rest of my life.'

Asked why he had stayed silent for so long while his reputation crumbled, he said he had done everything 'to the letter of the law'.

Woods denied ever taking illegal drugs, but admitted he received 'blood spinning' treatments - which are controversial but not banned - to speed his recovery from a knee injury. They came from a doctor who is under investigation by the FBI.


Elin Nordegren sits with her son Charlie as she watches a tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick in Florida on Good Friday


He admitted taking Ambien sleeping pills and Vicodin painkillers, but said he did not get hooked on them. 'Most of the time I was on Ambien it was when my dad was sick,' he said. 'When he died I took those things to help me sleep.'

Woods was cagey over the infamous accident outside his Florida mansion that helped trigger the scandal.

He admitted having five stitches in his lip and 'a pretty sore neck' but did not comment on speculation that he crashed his car after a confrontation with Elin over his cheating.

Only 180 accredited journalists were allowed into the news conference at Augusta's media centre.

It came as Woods made a surprise appearance at Georgia's Augusta National Golf Club


It has been claimed that Woods paid $10million to mistress Rachel Uchitel (left) in return for a confidentiality agreement. That revelation came as porn star Devon James (right) said ‘plenty’ more women are set to claim having flings with Woods


He will make his comeback from a self-enforced absence in the wake of the scandal that erupted last November by competing in this week's Masters, which is the first major championship of 2010, on Thursday.

He spent 10 minutes at the course's revamped practice facility, speaking briefly to British world number six Paul Casey.

Today, he played 18 holes in practice with 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples, and the pair were joined for the last six holes by 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk.

Woods was joined by his caddie Steve Williams, whose future with Woods was in doubt early this year when he gave a TV interview claiming he knew nothing of his boss's affairs and would have blown the whistle if he had.


Woods has not played competitive golf since his private life spectacularly unravelled at the end of last year


Conspicuously, Woods' black golf bag was free of any sponsor's names, bearing only the letters 'TW' in white with 'Tiger Woods' written below.

Last week the website TMZ, which broke the news of Michael Jackson's death, claimed the golfer paid out $10million to mistress Rachel Uchitel in return for an iron-clad confidentiality agreement.

That revelation came as another mistress, porn star Devon James, claimed ‘plenty’ more women are set to claim steamy flings with Woods.

She told an Australian radio show that she has audio tapes, photos and text messages to prove her fling with him.
[endtext]