The world number one has not played since mid-November and was in hiding for much of that time following the shocking revelations about his multiple affairs.

But the moment he announced three weeks ago that he was making his comeback at Augusta he was installed as favourite for the tournament.

Golf has undoubtedly missed Woods during his lay-off, but as excited as he is about returning to it he did not forget to make a further apology yesterday - this time to the rest of the field.

“I know that the players over the past few months have been bombarded with questions,” said the four-time champion.

“Hopefully after answering questions at this press conference they can be left alone to focus on The Masters and their game – not only for this week, but going forward as well.

“I certainly apologise to all of them for having to endure what they have had to endure the past few months.”

Not one of them, however, would say that it comes remotely close to what Woods has had to endure.

He is still trying to put his family life back together – wife Elin will not be in attendance at Augusta – and has pledged to change his ways on the course as well as off it.

Criticised by the likes of golfing greats Tom Watson and Peter Thomson for his club-throwing and swearing, Woods has acknowledged the need to address that.

He interacted with fans far more than usual in practice yesterday and then said: “I’m actually going to try and obviously not get as hot when I play.

“But, then again, when I’m not as hot I’m not going to be as exuberant either.

“I can’t be one without the other and so I made a conscious decision to try and tone down my negative outburst and consequently I’m sure my positive outburst will be calmed down as well.”

Woods cannot wait for Thursday’s first round. It will be his first competitive round for 144 days.

“It feels fun again. That’s something that’s been missing.

“Have I been winning? Have I been competing? Have I been doing well? Yeah, I have – I’ve won numerous times the last few years.

“But I wasn’t having anywhere near the amount of fun. Why? Because look at what I was engaged in.

“When you live a life where you’re lying all the time life is not fun. And that’s where I was.

“Now that’s been stripped all away (by therapy) and here I am.”

Denying that he has ever used human growth hormone or performance-enhancing drugs, he promised “full co-operation” for the federal authorities currently investigating Anthony Galea, the Canadian doctor who gave him blood-spinning treatment first in his recovery from knee surgery and then when he tore his Achilles tendon 16 months ago.

That was an injury kept from general knowledge until yesterday. “I kept re-tearing it,” he revealed. “I used tape to play most of the year and I also went to hyperbaric chambers after the injections.

“It does help you heal faster. I did everything I possibly could to heal faster so I could get back on the golf course.”