Tiger Woods plays Pro Am in Dubai
Golf's former number one player Tiger Woods told CNN, in an exclusive interview, that to be around his family is the "greatest thing in the world".
Woods has shared the parenting of his two children Sam and Charlie since divorcing Elin Nordegren, his wife of six years, in August 2010 after admitting to transgressions in his private life following reports of extramarital affairs.
And though this year much of his focus will be on trying to regain his crown as the world's top-ranked golfer, Woods said he cherishes the time with his children more than anything else in his life.
"(To spend time with them) it's the greatest thing in the world. Being present for your kids is far more valuable than anything (else) you do.
"It's all about them. Whatever they want to do, we do. When I don't have them I can practice a bit more but when I'm around them it's all about them," Woods added.
"To be around them, to be with them and to help them grow and have experiences with them is something so special."
The comments come after a turbulent year for Woods, who completed a self-imposed break from golf between November 2009 and April 2010 following allegations about his private life.
For the first time in 14 seasons, Tiger went 12 months without winning a tournament and -- despite having previously set the record of 281 consecutive weeks as world number one -- slumped to third in the rankings.
Speaking from Dubai, ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic which starts on Thursday, Woods maintained that although his game may have been off-kilter, balance has returned to his life away from the course.
"My life has certainly a lot more balance and is more where it needs to be now than it was then," he said.
It is the first time that the European Tour event at the Emirates Golf Club will see the top three players in the game -- England's No. 1 Lee Westwood, Germany's Martin Kaymer and Woods -- go head-to-head after being drawn together for the first two rounds.
However, despite the stiff competition Woods faces to regain his place at the top of the game in 2011, the 35-year-old said he remained confident in his abilities.
"My goal is just to win golf tournaments and that [the number one ranking] will take care of itself. Winning golf tournaments, winning major championships, that'll all take care of itself."
