AP
Tiger and Padraig played together at the Bridgestone final and then again at the PGA.
Good luck at the PGA Championship this weekend! We are all cheering for you here in Naples, Fla.!
-James from Naples, Fla.
Thanks, James. Hazeltine is a long, tough golf course, and I'm sure it will be a difficult test. I've been asked several times if this would be a successful year even if I didn't win a major. Typically, I judge my year on how I play in the majors and if my game has improved, but 2009 is different. After having major knee surgery, I wasn't sure how quickly I could return, and having five wins is very gratifying. Of course, I still want to win the PGA.
Hi Tiger, with football season coming up, do you happen to have a favorite team? Are you friends with anyone who plays in the NFL?
-Hunter from Clinton, S.C.
My favorite college team is, of course, Stanford. I think we're going to be pretty good and hopefully play well in the Pac-10. In the pros, I grew up an Oakland Raiders fan and recently became friends with former Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Jon Gruden, so I followed them, too. I think Jon is going to do an outstanding job on Monday Night Football. I've been on the sidelines for a few pro games, and it's amazing to see the speed and how hard the players hit.
Hi Tiger, it seemed like you and Padraig had a fun time playing together last week. Are you friends off the golf course?
-Casey from Albany, N.Y.
I really like and respect Padraig a lot, Casey. I've known him a long time, and he's a fierce competitor and doesn't back down. It doesn't surprise me how well he's done. We really had a great match at Bridgestone last week, and it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, due to hectic schedules and travel, we don't speed a lot of time together off the course.
Hi, Tiger. I didn't see your mom or wife at the tournament last week. Do they try to make it to many tournaments this year?
-Austin from White Plains, N.Y.
Elin, Sam and Charlie accompanied me on several trips this year, including all the majors, and it's great having them there. The kids don't care what I shoot. If I come home angry or disappointed after a bad round, Sam runs over and hugs me, and that makes me quickly forget my score.
We are from Huntington Beach and love being on the water. Do you have a boat? Do you enjoy any water sports?
-Nancy from Huntington Beach, Calif.
Nancy, I absolute love the water. Elin and I enjoy spending time on the boat, and I try to dive whenever I can. Elin and I have always talked about taking an extended trip on the boat, but between kids, golf and other commitments, it's difficult to get away.