Best may be yet to come, says Tiger

Former world number one Tiger Woods said on Thursday his new swing remained a work in progress but held out hope that his best golf may be yet to come.

Former world number one Tiger Woods said on Thursday his new swing remained a work in progress but held out hope that his best golf may be yet to come.

Woods, who was visiting South Korea to give a clinic for junior golfers at Chuncheon east of Seoul, said his game is improving after last season's lay-off.

Woods has not won a tournament since returning in April last year from a five-month break following revelations of marital infidelity. He is currently number five in the world rankings.

"It's been a process," he said, discussing his game. "I've done better each and every week this year. Things are progressing.

"I haven't had a chance to chip and putt like I normally do. But I don't have to work so much on my long game and I could start concentrating on my short game again."

Woods has been working on another major swing change with his new coach Sean Foley. But he denied this is contributing to his lack of success.

"I change to get better," Yonhap news agency quoted him as saying. "I've always said if you're not getting better, you're getting worse. I am only trying to get better. It takes time to rebuild."

Woods put in a strong performance at the Masters last weekend, shooting 10-under to tie for fourth.

Asked if he feels these are his peak years, he said he can always improve. "That's why I work, that's why I prepare, so I can become better."

Woods also talked about his difficult childhood, Yonhap reported. He said he had to attend a special programme after school for almost two years to ease a speech problem.

He said he broached the topic to highlight the importance of dedication and hard work.

"It takes time, effort and it takes an incredible amount of work, but you can do it," Woods said. "Here I am, talking in front of all of you guys, when, back then, I couldn't probably get out a sentence."