ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - Peter Dawson, the man from the Royal & Ancient, the organization which rules golf outside the United States, the organization which runs the Open Championship, cut through the posturing and self-righteousness.

Golf, said the R&A's chief executive, isn't golf without Tiger Woods. And whatever we think about Woods' moral standards, about his impending divorce, about his infidelity, the observation is undeniable.

"The Championship,'' insisted Dawson, "needs the world No. 1 player. And vice versa.''

It has him. And Tuesday the British media had him. Or in truth, Tiger, back at St. Andrews, back at the Old Course, where he won in 2000 and 2005, had the media, winning a sparring session, offering repetitive answers to repetitive questions.

True, he did disclose for the first time since 1999, there will be a new putter in his bag, a Nike instead of Scotty Cameron by Titleist. And he sort of gave an opinion on the revised and extended famous 17th, the Road Hole, most others say has been ruined, explaining, "I know they wanted us to hit more club ... I'm pretty neutral on it.''

Otherwise, it was the North Sea version of "Aren't you ever going to learn I won't tell you anything substantial?''

Padraig Harrington, the Irishman who won the Open in 2007 and 2008, told the Times of London, "The issue with Tiger is that everybody looks for information about him which causes him to be defensive.''

And who says there's no defense in golf? What Harrington says is suggestions Woods, winner of 14 majors, although none since 2008, has lost most of his magic are incorrect.

"I don't think what has happened off the course,'' said Harrington, "has changed anything.''

Other than the prying.

Journalist: "There's been some speculation that your divorce may already have been finalized. Can you comment on that at all"

Tiger: "I'm not going into that.''

Journalist: "Many of us over the years have heard you use the F word and seen you throw tantrums. Are you willing to cut out those tantrums and respect the home of golf?''

Tiger: "I'm trying to become a better player and a better person, yes.''

You'll note becoming a better player was first, if not intentionally.

Been there, heard that. Since Woods rammed his Escalade into that fire hydrant late Thanksgiving night, 2009, there's not an avenue which hasn't been explored, a liaison which hasn't been uncovered, a criticism which hasn't been leveled.

If Tiger doesn't deserve complete exoneration, neither should he be pilloried forever. He didn't beat up anyone, didn't rob any banks. The curiosity factor will always exist, but perhaps it is time to back away, except for questions how his personal life affects his golf. Questions he won't answer.

Journalist: "Do you feel a win here offers you some kind of road to redemption?''

Tiger: "I would like to win no matter what ... It's amazing how many great champions have won here.''

But none more than twice. That group, of course, includes Woods.

"He has proven he can play here,'' said Dawson. "Let's hope he can get his game right. He is conscious that no one has won it at St. Andrews three times, and he has an opportunity to do so.''

The opportunity, but does he have the game?

He was fourth in the Masters, then a month ago fourth in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Are his problems mental, a derivative of the sexual escapades and pending dissolution of marriage? Or are they physical, simply bad shots?

Even though he knows what's coming, and seemingly is well prepared, do the questions about a life he once kept private but now is public, prove unnerving?

Through the years, Woods has mastered the art of evasion. One recalls an incident in his first full year as a pro, 1997, in the then-Nissan/Los Angeles Open. A lady from one of those TV celeb series, maybe "Entertainment Tonight,'' pestered him about his social life. When Tiger said he kept those things to himself, she screamed, "But we have to know.''

What we do know is Tiger hasn't won anything this calendar year, the longest he has gone in a season without a victory since 1998 when he was remaking his swing.

What we also know is anyone who has 71 wins on the PGA Tour has the ability to be successful in any tournament at any time. Particularly in a tournament, the Open, he's taken three times, twice at historic St. Andrews, which somehow after 500 years or so remains as modern as today.

I think it's the angles and the wind,'' said Tiger about the Old Course. "You get this on a calm day, you feel you can shoot 65. You get it on a windy day, the leader might shoot 80.

"I think that's the brilliance of how this course was designed, that it's still able to survive the test of time. Players have gotten longer, equipment has changed, but still, this golf course is still relevant.''

Presumably, so is Tiger Woods.