Zoeller not out of the woods yet

TIGER WOODS says he is eager to resume his tour schedule in this week's Byron Nelson Classic, but made it clear he's not in the forgive and forget mood when it comes to fellow PGA golfer Fuzzy Zoeller.

Woods will play his first competitive round since his record breaking, historic Masters victory one month ago when he tees it up for the first 18 holes here on today.

The 21 year old Woods, who became the first black player to win a major golf championship with his awesome triumph in Augusta, told a news conference on Tuesday that he was also looking forward to his next tournament and a chance to talk with Zoeller.

Both Woods and Zoeller have tentatively committed to next week's Colonial event in Fort Worth, Texas.

"I'd like to ask him what exactly he meant by his comments," Woods said. "I want to go face to face and have a heart to heart talk with him and find out what he was thinking."

Zoeller, the 1979 Masters champion, touched off a firestorm of controversy when he said he hoped Woods wouldn't serve "fried chicken and collard greens," at next year's Masters champions dinner.

Woods said what bothered him the most was Zoeller's parting shot in the television interview on Masters Sunday when he added: "or whatever the hell they serve".

"I'll talk with him about it if he's at Colonial next week," said Woods.

Zoeller has issued an apology to anyone he offended which Woods publicly accepted.

During his four week vacation, Woods said he played golf with Michael Jordan, visited a movie set with Kevin Costner, and was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters.

Woods sidestepped another public appearance during his hiatus when he declined an invitation from President Bill Clinton to take part in the Jackie Robinson celebration in New York City.

Woods sounded annoyed at being asked only days before the ceremonies that marked the 50th anniversary of Robinson's breaking the colour line in baseball. Woods shot an unofficial 64 on Tuesday in a practice round and said he was raring to go.

"I'm hitting the ball well. I'm surprised, I'm hitting it so well," he said. "I expect to win this week. I expect to win every tournament I play."