Tiger On Getting Out Of California, Anchoring, Torrey

A few highlights from today's Tiger Woods press conference at the Farmers Insurance Open. Looking as fit as ever, Woods answered questions from the assembled slingers and local TV newshounds.

Q.  Slightly different topic here.  Phil Mickelson made some comments regarding the higher taxes here in California.  You being a resident now of Florida, but from here, any comment or any reaction to what he said?

TIGER WOODS:  Well, I moved out of here back in '96 for that reason.  I enjoy Florida, but also I understand what he was, I think, trying to say.  I think he'll probably explain it better and in a little more detail.

Looks like Jerry West has more lobbying to do on getting Tiger back to Riviera for the Northern Trust Open:

Q.  Just wanted to check in on your immediate schedule going forward.  What tournaments you are going to be playing in, and specifically with the Northern Trust Open, whether you're playing or not, or still undecided?  I wanted to know what your thought process is in whether or not you play that one?

TIGER WOODS:  I'm going to play a few tournaments coming up.

Q.  Which one next?

TIGER WOODS:  I don't know.

Q.  What will it take for you to play Rivera again?

TIGER WOODS:  I don't know.  We'll just see.

Is that a non-denial denial? Or just a denial denial?

On anchoring...

Q.  With the player meeting tonight and the anchoring ban being discussed, have you ever kind of reflected on how anchoring has impacted the game in terms of your career, in terms of winning certain events and without naming names, obviously, but do you ever feel you've been deprived of some wins because you putt in a conventional way and there was somebody putting using anchoring?

TIGER WOODS:  No.  I'm not going to look at it like that.  Generally, in the past if guys switch methods, it's usually because they're uneasy, they're a little twitchy or just don't feel comfortable, so they'll switch methods.

But we have a whole other generation that have never experienced having those twitches or having any of those type of problems, and they've grown up with anchoring the putter.

And I think that's what Mike was trying to explain when he was trying to implement this new rule is that we're getting a whole 'nother generation that have only putted with anchoring the putter, and they've just learned that one method.  He believes every club should actually swing, and I agree with that.

After talking about his memories of the unforgettable 2008 U.S. Open, he was asked about Torrey and another Open. I'm not sure if he knows it's off the USGA's radar.

Q.  Your thoughts on the U.S. Open ever coming back to Torrey, and are you in favor of that?

TIGER WOODS:  Absolutely, absolutely.  I think they've proven that they can host a great U.S. Open here.  We, as players, play here each and every year, and we love the golf course.  It's hard.

And I think the USGA is trying to make a concerted effort ever since '02 going to Bethpage for the first time and big public venues.  This is the west coast version.  And it was amazing.  The turnout, the fans, the support, the crowds, I mean, it was just a great atmosphere.

I think with having the other golf course right here for parking and all that, I think certainly I think Torrey Pines and everyone here involved in it really made this tournament special, and I think the USGA will definitely come back.

Pssst...that's a negative!

On a serious note, I'm still trying to figure out how to word this question of Tiger: do you want to see the U.S. Open return here one more time before you are, uh, uh,