Tiger's cubs provide best medicine during injury layoff

PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - Tiger Woods has taken great pleasure immersing himself into family life to help ease the frustration of being forced to spend the last eight months away from competitive golf.

Since the American world number one had reconstructive knee surgery midway through last year, he and his wife Elin have celebrated the birth of their second child -- Charlie Axel.

"Everything's been great here on the home front," the 33-year-old Woods said in a teleconference call Friday.

"Charlie's doing fantastic, Elin's recovering and everything couldn't be any better than it is at home."

Charlie was born earlier this month, following the birth of the couple's first child, Sam Alexis, in June 2007.

Woods, who has not played competitive golf since winning his 14th major title at last year's U.S. Open, also relished the opportunity to forge closer bonds with his daughter.

"More than anything, the best thing in the world was actually to watch her grow up," he said. "Each and every day to have fun with that, and teach her different things.

"I really enjoy that type of life, that's something my dad did all the time," Woods added, referring to his father Earl who died in May 2006 after a long battle with prostate cancer.

TEACHING OPORTUNITY

"Each and every day was an opportunity to teach. I feel the same way. I'm very lucky to have had that time with Sam."

Woods, who will return to the PGA Tour at next week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, explained how he and his Swedish wife had selected the names for their first son.

"We thought it sounded good," he said. "We kind of like Charlie and he just kind of fit that when he came out. We had a couple of names, and it just fit him.

"As far as the Axel, that's her brother's name, so wanted to make sure it stayed in the family."

Asked whether the significance of Charlie Sifford had any bearing in their name choice, Woods replied: "There is a slight connection, yes. There is no doubt.

"But it's not the 100 percent reason why we chose the name. I like the name. E (Elin) liked it as well. And it also has a nice meaning on to it if you look at it from that perspective."

Sifford, 86, was an instrumental figure in helping to break down the PGA Tour's Caucasian-only rule and he became the first black player to join the circuit in 1961.

(Editing by John O'Brien)