‘Having a More Open, Honest…’: Tiger Woods Once Publicly Admitted to the Major Reason Behind His Failed Marriage With Ex-Wife Elin Nordegren

Tiger Woods has lived the life of a champion. His numerous golf accolades pale in front of other greats in the sport. However, his image as a role model has been severely tarnished after the revelation of his infidelity in 2009. Woods fell out with the masses, but also with his near loved ones. It proved to be the end of his marriage with Elin Nordegren, an event he would have begged to change.

Tiger Woods explains what he would have changed in public scandal

In an interview with TIME on his 40th birthday, Woods detailed his struggles in the months that followed the stunning revelation. The news about his affairs with other women acted like poison in his marriage with his then-wife, Ellie Nordegren. The Swedish model was left in shock, culminating in a divorce a year later.

Read more: ‘But I Survived It’: Despite an Ugly Split, Tiger Woods’ Ex-Wife Elin Nordegren Once Shared Her Optimism About Sailing Through the Turbulent Times

According to the 15-time major championship winner, his biggest regret was the way the news broke out. By his one admission, Woods wouldn’t have changed anything, but a more ‘honest’ relationship with Nordegren could have made things better,

“In hindsight, it’s not how I would change 2009 and how it all came about. It would be having a more open, honest relationship with my ex-wife,” he said.

Woods and Nordegren are reportedly best friends?

In the same interview, Woods revealed that he was with his former wife in the upbringing of their children. They share two children, a son, Charlie, and a daughter, Sam. Both of them were quite young during their parent’ separation, which took place on August 2010.

Despite the circumstances of their detachment, Woods and Nordegren joined hands to parent their children. It turned out to be a blissful activity, with the golfer revealing his relationship with her was “fantastic”.

“Having the relationship that I have now with her is fantastic,” he said. Woods also claimed Nordegren was “one of my best friends.” “She’s one of my best friends. We’re able to pick up the phone, and we talk to each other all the time.”

With time, Woods realized that his children were the most important things in his life, but was remorseful about not knowing it before. “We both know that the most important things in our lives are our kids. I wish I would have known that back then,” he said.

Watch This Story: Tiger Woods Once Got Candid About His Divorce with Ex-Wife, Elin Nordegren