Posted by Jason Sobel
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- This just in: Tiger Woods is funny.
OK, so maybe he's not Borat funny or "The Office" funny, but the guy's got a pretty endearing personality when he wants to show it.
On Tuesday, playing to a Standing Room Only interview room at Augusta National, Tiger charmed the international media contingent with some lighthearted, often self-deprecating cracks.
Here are Woods' greatest hits from his most recent press conference.
On whether 18-under is possible at Augusta National anymore: "I'd take it right now."
On a recent Duke University symposium that discussed his social impact: "They have nothing else to do, do they?"
On the upcoming U.S. Open venue: "Just very curious to see how Oakmont is playing. We're going to play, what, the eighth hole, a 900-yard par 3?"
On his professional breakthrough being responsible for golf's technology boom: "I guess it's all my fault, huh?"
On how rail-thin Charles Howell III has changed since he first met him: "He's probably put on 1.5 pounds."
On Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, from whom (along with Jeff Francoeur and Adam LaRoche) Tiger won some money on the golf course recently: "He's my ATM."
Of course, Tiger wasn't all about just fun and games, either. A few times his intuitive thoughts simply just drew a knowing smile rather than out-and-out laughter.
On the impact his late father, Earl, has had on his life: "Here I am, 31 years old, and my father is getting smarter every year."
On whether the Masters excites him the most of the four majors: "No. All four."
And lastly, perhaps it was this simple one-word quote that said more than anything else about Tiger's views in the 40-minute (or so) interview.
On whether some of the young players can possibly keep pace with him this week: "Who?"
Well played, Tiger. He did concede that some of the younger players like Howell, Adam Scott, Paul Casey and Aaron Baddeley have played well in the past, but when Woods has his A-game, there's not many guys who can get near him on the course.
Or in the interview room.
