In preparation for his participation in The Masters later this week, golfer Tiger Woods held a press conference Monday afternoon -- his first since his life was rocked by scandal -- at Augusta National Golf Club.

Woods talked about his current situation, his stint in rehab (presumably for sex addiction), fan reaction and his outlook entering his first competitive tournament in five months. Here is a transcript:

Tiger Woods: Well, today I got a chance to play with Craig there -- I'm sorry -- Craig -- Freddie (Couples). And then Jim (Furyk) joined us on the 13th hole. And it was -- just, what a great day today.

Coming into today, I didn't know what to respect with regards to reception. And I'll tell you what, the galleries couldn't be nicer. I mean, it was just incredible.

And the encouragement that I got, and -- it was just -- it blew me away, to be honest with you. It really did.

And, you know, the people here over the years have been extremely respectful. But today was just something that really touched my heart pretty good.

I would also like to, I guess, make another little comment before we start.

I know that the players over the past few months have been bombarded by questions by all of you and the public, as well. And I would like to tell all the players, hopefully, after today, after answering questions at this press conference, that the players can be left alone to focus on the Masters and focus on their game. Not only for this week, but going forward, as well. And I certainly apologize to all of them for having to endure what they've had to endure over the past few months.

A lot has happened in my life over the past five months. And I'm here at the Masters to play and compete. And just really excited about doing that.

And I missed the competition; I missed seeing the guys out here. A lot of my friends I haven't seen in a while.

It was great to play golf with Freddie and Jim, two of my best friends out here. And I played with Mark yesterday for nine holes, and I'm playing with him again tomorrow, as well as Steve Stricker. So it's been just an incredible experience so far here at the Masters.

Question: Tiger, you said in some recent TV interviews that everything was in the police report, but the police report didn't contain what was it about the injuries that sent you to the hospital.

Can you tell us what those were?

TW: Yes, I had a busted up lip and a pretty sore neck. And that was it.

Question: And secondly, in the --

TW: It required five stitches in my lip.

Question: In the five weeks from the accident, until you went into therapy, why didn't you speak to the police or any of your corporate sponsors, any of the media that have covered you year-round?

TW: Well, I did everything to the letter of the law. My lawyer said -- gave me the advice, and I followed that advice. And I -- again, I did everything to the letter of the law.

I did talk to my sponsors and people who I was close to, and the various companies. And -- but mainly I spent a lot of time with my family.

Question: Tiger, what's been the most difficult thing for you to deal with these past few months? And how have you dealt with it?

TW: Well, probably two things. I think one, being having to look at myself in a light that I never wanted to look at myself. That was difficult. How far astray I got from my core fundamentals and core morals that my mom and dad taught me. And having to break all that down and, as I said in the interview, with all the denial and rationalization, to cut through that and really take a hard look at myself. And that's when I started finding strength and peace.

And the other is -- the other difficult part, I think, over the past few months has just been the constant harassment to my family, my wife and kids being photographed everywhere they go, being badgered. And that's tough. That's tough on them, because it's really hard for us to heal as -- and then try and get through this as best we can.

Question: Tiger, you said in February that when you returned to the game, that you were going to -- wanted to show more respect for the game.

In what way are we going to see sort of differences out there between the ropes and outside the ropes?

TW: Yes, great question.

I am actually going to try and obviously not get as hot when I play. But then again, when I -- not as hot, I'm not going to be as exuberant, either.

You're not going to see -- I can't play one without the other. And so I've made a conscious decision to try and tone down my negative outbursts. And consequently, I'm sure that my positive outbursts will be calmed down, as well.

And that's -- just trying to be more respectful of the game, and acknowledge the fans, like I did today. That was just an incredible reception all day for all 18 holes. And show, you know, my appreciation for them.

I haven't done that in the past few years, and that was wrong of me. So many kids have looked up to me, and so many fans have supported me over the years, and I just want to say thank you to them. Especially going through all of this, over the past few months, it really put things into perspective for me, and into how much I -- you know, I have appreciated or actually underappreciated the fans in the game of golf.

Question: Tiger, you know, you won a lot of golf tournaments over the last five years living a completely secret life. How were you able to do that?

And then, secondly, do you feel -- what kind of golfer do you feel you'll be now, going forward, without having this secret?

TW: Well, I think it's how I was early in my career. You know, I was at peace. And I've had had some great years.

And unfortunately, what I've done over the past years has been, you know, just terrible to my family. And the fact I won golf tournaments I think is irrelevant. It's the pain and the damage that I've caused.

You know, my wife, my mom, my wife's family, my kids, going forward, are going to have to -- I'm going have to explain all this to them. And, you know, that's my responsibility.

I did it, and I take full responsibility for it. And as I said, winning golf tournaments, I think through all of this, is irrelevant compared to all the damage I've caused.

Question: Yes, Tiger, you've been known as a great proponent of drug testing on the PGA Tour. As you probably know, Dr. Anthony Galea was arrested for performance-enhancing drugs in his possession. And as you also probably know, Dr. Galea has said he's been to your home at least four times.

Why did you feel, Tiger, it was necessary to have this particular doctor come to your home? And what did he specifically do for you?

TW: Well, Christine, he did come to my house. He never gave me HGH or any PEDs. I've never taken that my entire life. I've never taken any illegal drug ever, for that matter

I had PRP, platelet-rich plasma, treatments. And basically, what that is, is they draw blood from your arm, spin it in a centrifuge, and take the plasma out and insert it into the injuries.

Well, as you all know, in 2008, I blew out my ACL. And part of my reconstruction of my LCL wasn't reacting properly. It was a little bit stuck, and so I had the PRP injection into my LCL.

And then, in December, I started to train, started running again, and I tore my Achilles on my right leg. And I then had PRP injections throughout the year. I kept re-tearing it throughout the year and throughout the summer.

I used tape most of the year to play. And so -- I also went into hyperbaric chambers after the injections to help drive in -- it does help you heal faster. And did everything I possibly could to heal faster so I could get back on the golf course, you know, through the PRP injections.

Question: What were you hoping today to be like for you? And how nervous are you sitting here?

TW: Sitting here, not that nervous, no. As far as getting out there, I was definitely more nervous.

That first tee, I didn't know what to expect. I really didn't, Steve. It's one of those things where I've never been in this position before, to be out there and in front of the people where I have -- I've done some things that are just, you know, horrible.

And, you know, for the fans to really want to see me play golf again, that felt great. That really did.

You know, usually I kind of focus on, you know, placements of shots and getting ready, but today was a little bit different. I kind of took it in a little bit more. Sort of more than I think I have in a long time. And it felt really good.

Question: You touched on it with Scott a little bit, usually you have tunnel vision. Saw you out there today engaging with the fans.

Will you be able to keep your competitive edge as high as it was, and also be able to be more engaging with the fans?

TW: Well, I think come game time, it might be a little bit different. I'm going to try and obviously get the ball in the holes as best I can. But in the practice rounds, I think just acknowledging the fans and their support for me, especially what has transpired in my life, for them to still cheer for me is just incredible. It really is.

Question: Tiger, you and the rest of us discovered a lot of media we didn't know existed until the accident. I just wonder your response to the mainstream media, which was a lot more critical, obviously, than it had been.

Were you surprised in how nicely the group in here treated you, the golf writers, normal sportswriters, or did you sort of expect that?

TW: Well, I was surprised at mainstream media. I mean, I think it's also the times have changed, as well.

You know, it's -- with 24-hour news, it's -- you're looking for any kind of news to get out there. And I know a lot of my friends are in here, and you know, I haven't seen them, I haven't talked to them, but I've read their articles. And of course they're being critical of me.

They should, because, you know, what I have done was wrong. But then again, I know a lot of them -- a lot of you in here are my friends and will always be my friends.

Question: Tiger, it's been reported that you took prescription drugs, Ambien and Vicodin. Can you speak to when you started taking those, how you need them for tournament golf, if you did, and if you ever became addicted to either one of them or received treatment?

TW: I have taken them, yes. I've had some, as everyone knows, pretty interesting knee situations over the years.

I've had, what, four operations now on my left knee? And last year, with my torn Achilles, it hurt quite a bit at times. And, yes, I did take that.

And I took -- most of the time I was on the Ambien was when my dad was sick. When my dad died, that was a tough time in my life. And, you know, so that's when, yes, I was taking that, some of those things, to help me sleep. And that's about it.

Question: Have you ever received treatment for it?

TW: No.

Question: Tiger, how is your knee? And is it still giving you pain on a daily, weekly, monthly basis?

TW: My knee feels great. The only time it doesn't feel good is when a front comes through. That's when most people realize that. Arthritis in there, and you get a little older.

But other than that, it feels great. It's strong. It's explosive again, which is great. And now my Achilles is good now. So I'm training like I used to years ago.

Question: Tiger, if I could just follow up on Chris' question.

There are a lot of doctors who do blood-spinning. And what was it that prompted you to go to or have Dr. Galea come and see you?

TW: Well, he's worked with so many athletes. And that's also one of the reasons why I went and saw Dr. Wooden for my eyes. He's done a lot of different athletes, and there's a certain comfort level to that, when a person has worked with athletes.

Question: Yes, Tiger, you had said earlier that you were in some form of a rehab. Can you talk about, are you still in rehab, and what that rehab was for?

TW: You know, yes, I was in there for 45 days. And it was to take a hard look at myself, and I did. And I've come out better, certainly a much of better person for it than I was going in.

And does that mean I'm ever going to stop doing that? No. I've got to still continue with my treatment, and that's going forward. That's not going to stop in the near future, for sure.

Question: What was it for?

TW: That's personal. Thank you.

Question: Tiger, federal investigators have contacted some of the other athletes who have worked with Dr. Galea. Have they contacted you as part of that investigation?

TW: Yes, they have actually contacted Steiny. And we'll have full cooperation whenever they need me, but as of right now, they haven't asked, you know, for my time.

Question: Tiger, you said in your statement that you felt entitled over the years. How are you able to -- I assume that wasn't the first time you thought that, but how are you able to rationalize that while you were engaging in that behavior and still playing such winning golf?

TW: Explain that again?

Question: You said you were entitled, you felt entitled to what you were doing before. And at the same time, I'm wondering how you were able to rationalize that in your mind while it was going on.

TW: Well, that's part of, you know, the problem I had, is that, you know, the way I was thinking was not correct. And as part of, you know, where I was at, I was rationalizing, I was denying, in total denial at times.

Whatever I did was -- I lied to myself, I lied to others. And just because I was winning golf tournaments doesn't mean a thing. The way I was thinking caused so much harm with the people that I love and care about the most on this planet.

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