Tiger Woods: Can He Get on Course After Divorce?

Aug. 26, 2010— -- Tiger Woods' former wife, Elin Nordegren, may have been the one to say she's been "through hell" as the golf great's cheating scandal exploded, but the same could be said for Woods' golf game. Now with the divorce finalized, fans and golf experts alike are turning their attention on Woods in a setting he's more accustomed to, and where he could start to bounce back: on the course.

Woods teed off today at The Barclays Pro Am, shooting a first-round 65 to take the lead. His game appeared to be back on track after admitting to reporters Wednesday that the split with Nordegren was "a lot more difficult than I was letting on.

"Concentration on the golf course," he said, "at times it was difficult."

"If you watched Tiger Woods over the course of this season, there are certainly times when he looks like he wants no part of being on the golf course at all," ESPN.com golf writer Jason Sobel told "Good Morning America." "He looks like he would rather be anywhere but playing professional golf."

Speaking to reporters, Woods agreed.

"There were a few tournaments like that," he said. "Yeah, most of the summer was like that."

While his now ex-wife was speaking to People magazine in a headline-making interview about the divorce Wednesday, Woods was teeing off for a practice round in which he said he played "better."

"[I was] pleasantly surprised and pleased the shape of shots I was able to hit today," Woods told reporters.

But with the divorce behind him, Woods said relief is not what he's feeling.

"I don't think that's the word. I think it's just more sadness. Because I don't think you ever -- you don't ever go into a marriage looking to get divorced," he said.

Woods is running out of time to nab a tournament win before he marks his first professional career year ever without one. Woods, who has consistently been the No. 1 ranked golfer for the past three years, is starting the PGA Tour playoffs at No. 112.