Post date: Dec 01, 2010 2:57:16 AM
Tiger Woods has a final chance to claim his first victory of the year at this week's Chevron World Challenge and close the curtain on a 2010 campaign he describes as "very painful".
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 30, 2010) REUTERS - Tiger Woods, the former world's number one golfer has struggled on and off the course since his private life unravelled at the end of last season amid sordid revelations of serial philandering.
He took a five-month break from the game in an ultimately unsuccessful bid to repair his marriage and
embarked on the fourth swing change of his career in August."It's been difficult, but also it's been very rewarding at the same time," Woods told reporters at Sherwood Country Club on Tuesday (November 30).
"It forced me to look deeper into myself, how I grew up and how those things didn't match with the person who I am and getting back to that, getting back to how my parents raised me.
"As a golfer I learned so much more this year than any other year, and as a person infinitely more. So it's been a very successful year even though it was a very painful year."
Unquestionably the greatest player of his generation and possibly of all time, Woods has so far failed to string together four good rounds during his 2010 season.
His aura of invincibility on the course was severely dented and he ended his 2010 PGA Tour campaign without a victory for the first time since joining the circuit in late 1996.
However his renowned hunger to win tournaments remains undiminished, despite all his recent travails.
A four-times champion at his own event, Woods conceded the winning habit had been difficult to regain while overhauling his swing under the guidance of coach Sean Foley.
"Over the last five to six tournaments I played, I'd get in these hot streaks where I'd do it right. I'd get it going for two, three, four holes and now they're lasting close to nine holes.
"Now I've got to get it for 18 holes, eventually all 72, and then down to an entire major championship. So it's a process."
The first round of the 12 annual Chevron World Challenge tournament tees off on Thursday (December 02).