HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Tiger Woods is in a reflective mood these days as the one-year anniversary of his infamous Thanksgiving car crash approaches.
The accident set off an affair scandal that ultimately led to the golfer's divorce from Elin Nordegren, the mother of his two children.
"If that didn't happen, I don't think I'd be as blessed and balanced as I am now," Woods said of the accident in an interview Thursday on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning."
So would Woods have changed without the accident?
"I really don't know," he said. "All I know is what's transpired in my life and where I am now. I'm so much better now because of this past year. Obviously, it was very difficult on a lot of people, especially those closest to me. But it's been the best thing for me."
The PGA star said the media coverage that followed was "very difficult," particularly on the kids - Sam, 3, and Charlie, 1.
"They were feeling the effects of it," admitted Woods.
When asked how he'll eventually explain what happened to his children, Woods said he won't shy from the truth.
"My dad has always said to me that love is a given, but trust and respect are earned," he said. "That's something that I will have to earn, the trust and respect from my kids. There's no doubt about that. That'll take time. That happens over the course of time."
Woods is also taking steps to reconnect with his fans. The man who calls himself "infinitely" happier has joined Twitter and written an essay for Newsweek.
"[I'm] just more clear, more clear about my perspective, who I am, where I want to go," he said. "It's amazing how much better I feel internally each and every day."
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