Woods likens marriage anguish to father's death

Tiger Woods has compared his anguish over his marital difficulties to the death of his father - but insisted his personal life was getting back on track.

In a rare public appearance, the world's number one golfer signalled the much-publicised turmoil in his marriage to Swedish model Elin Nordegren had forced him to reassess his life.

In an unusually candid description of his despair, he likened the fall-out to the death of his father and mentor Earl, who died after battling cancer in 2006.

"There are times in one's life when things get put in perspective," he said.

"One being when my father passed and obviously what I've been going through lately."

It is widely reported that Woods and Nordegren have agreed divorce terms, with his wife taking custody of his two young children.

Woods was speaking for the first time in Europe about the controversy, since he admitted cheating on his wife at an emotional press conference in February.

He was competing in a celebrity Pro-Am at Limerick's exclusive Adare Manor, organised by one of Ireland's wealthiest tycoons, JP McManus.

Asked about his preparations ahead of the British Open next week at St Andrews, Woods revealed he would practise at home rather than at a links course.