Golf-Woods expects to be better golfer when he returns in 2009

By Jahmal Corner

BEVERLY HILLS, California, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Anyone hoping Tiger Woods would have lost a little edge when he returns to golf after his knee surgery will be sorely disappointed because the world number one believes he will be better than ever.

"I've been trying to make changes (in my swing) for years, but I didn't have much in (the knee)," Woods told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday at a lavish suite at the Hotel Bel-Air in Beverly Hills.

"It will be nice to be able to hit against a solid left side for the first time in years."

Woods, wearing a dark suit and dark shirt without a tie, spoke about his comeback after holding a news conference in the hotel to unveil plans for his latest golf course design, "Punta Brava", an ocean view layout along the shoreline of Ensenada, Mexico.

The 32-year-old American has been working on the design, his third foray into golf architecture, since stress fractures and a torn ligament in his left knee that was exacerbated in his playoff victory at the U.S. Open in San Diego in June forced him out for the season.

Woods said he planned to return to competition sometime in 2009, though did not expect to be 100 percent healthy until 2010.

The 14-times major champion, however, said he would not change his attacking approach when he resumed play.

"Not at all," he said. "It's just the healing time frame. After six months it's about 85 percent healed and the whole idea is not to do more damage."