I've never taken any illegal drugs - Tiger Woods

After being "blown away" by the crowd reception as he practised for the US Masters – his first tournament since the scandal which followed revelations about his numerous affairs – the world No 1 then held his first press conference since mid-November.

During it he denied ever taking human growth hormone, but revealed that he needed extra treatment from controversial Canadian doctor Anthony Galea after tearing his Achilles tendon in December 2008.

It was an injury he never mentioned last February on his return from eight months out following reconstructive knee surgery or during the rest of the season.

"He never gave me HGH or any PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs)," said Woods.

"I've never taken that my entire life. I've never taken any illegal drug, ever, for that matter.

"I had PRP, platelet-enriched plasma treatments (known as blood-spinning). Part of my reconstruction wasn't reacting properly, it was a little bit stuck, and so I had the PRP injection.

"Then in December I started running again and I tore my Achilles in my right leg. I then had PRP injections throughout the year.

"I kept re-tearing it. 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."

Galea, now the subject of federal investigations in his home country, was the man Woods went to because, he said, "He's worked with so many athletes. There's a certain comfort level to that when a person has worked with athletes."

Asked if he was now part of the investigation, Woods replied: "Yeah, they contacted Steiny (his management agent Mark Steinberg) and will get full co-operation whenever they need me.

"But as of right now, they have not asked for my time."

There was also the question about how much Woods needs sleeping pills and pain-killing tablets.

That has been a subject of debate since he crashed his car outside his home in the early hours of November 27, but he denied he had become dependent.

"I've taken them, yes," he said. "I've had some – as everyone knows – pretty interesting knee situations over the years.

"Then last year with my torn Achilles, it hurt quite a bit at times. And most of the time I was on the Ambien was when my dad was sick and when my dad died (in 2006).

"That was a tough time in my life. So that's when I was still taking some of those things to help me sleep. And that's about it."

Woods was also at long last prepared to say what injuries he suffered in the crash, which is assumed to have followed a row with his wife as his string of affairs emerged.

"I had a busted-up lip (needing five stitches) and a pretty sore neck."

After the incident Woods went into hiding before admitting on his website to "transgressions" and then announcing an indefinite break from the game to try to save his marriage.

Swedish wife Elin will not be at Augusta this week, he confirmed, but he was not prepared to say what therapy he has been receiving.

The assumption has been that it is for sex addiction but he said: "That's personal, thank you."

His comeback trail started with a televised statement to family, friends and associates in February, then he gave five-minute interviews to two American sports stations after announcing he was to start playing again in the US Masters.

Yesterday's press conference lasted just over 30 minutes, but Woods stated that he had been far more nervous out on the course earlier in the day.

"I didn't know what to expect," he said. "The encouragement I got blew me away, to be honest.

"The people here over the years, I know, are extremely respectful, but today was just something that really touched my heart pretty good."

Now Woods, criticised for some club throwing, swearing and a reluctance to sign autographs, plans to present a friendlier image.

He had made reference in his statement two months ago to the need to show more respect to the game and, expanding on that, he added: "I'm going to try and obviously not get as hot (angry) when I play. But then again, when I'm not as hot I'm not going to be as exuberant either.

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

Tougher tests of that will come, of course, and far tougher crowds will come too.

But Woods has now taken a big step forward and a sign of that came when he was asked about his chances this week.

"Nothing's changed. Going to go out there and try to win this thing," he said, and a big smile followed.