INTERVIEW-Golf-Woods finds new challenges as a Dad

By Simon Evans

ORLANDO, Florida, March 27 (Reuters) - Golf is famed as a frustrating sport but world number one Tiger Woods has found striking the right balance between family and work to be every bit as challenging.

"It is frustrating," Woods told Reuters in an interview.

"This morning Sam was crying when I left. That is only going to get harder, especially when they start talking, when they get in school," he said, adding that golfers find it particularly tough to carry out their roles as fathers.

"A lot of guys, early on in their child's development, try to take them on the road with them so they can be a part of that development - but once they are in school it is a whole different story then," he said.

While winning seven tournaments in succession through a six-month unbeaten streak, Woods has also been changing his daily routine to allow him the maximum possible time with his daughter Sam and Swedish wife Elin.

"I try and get my workouts in before Sam or Elin gets up, I go to the gym really early in the morning and get my lifting in and get my cardio done and come back and have breakfast with them.

"Then maybe a little walk and then right when Sam takes a nap I can go out and practice. I don't want to miss anything, she changes every day," he says.

Woods relishes talking about his daughter but confesses he has been surprised by fatherhood.