Courtesy: i.a.cnn.net

Tiger Woods was supposed to be hosting the AT&T National this week in Washington, D.C.

Instead, he appeared during the TV coverage on CBS via satellite from his home in Orlando, Florida.

That was the best he could do. Woods looked and sounded very human; far from the superman we have all come to see him as, especially after his heroic victory at Torrey Pines.

Woods was asked how he was doing since his surgery in late June and he said that he figured the pain had peaked just two days ago. Now, he said, he was looking forward to being able to sleep for more than an hour at a time.

"I go from bedroom to living room and back to the bedroom with a few washroom stops along the way. That's my day", he said.

The operation, Woods said, entailed removing a tendon from the hamstring in his right leg and using it as a replacement ACL for his left knee. So he's in pain in both legs, now.

When asked when he thought he'd be back playing golf, Woods face dropped visibly when he said he didn't have the faintest idea. He's too busy coping with the pain to make any plans beyond being able to put weight on the leg again, he added.

CBS golf analyst, Nick Faldo, asked Tiger how he managed to win the U.S. Open with a double stress fracture and a torn ACL.

Woods replied, "I don't know, Nick". Faldo then asked him how he managed to win when he couldn't practice for more than five minutes (a slight exaggeration since Woods managed to grit his teeth through nine holes in preparation).

Again, Tiger replied, "I don't know".

So, what we're left with is two things, I think. One is that Tiger's return date is a complete mystery. Suffice to say he won't be able to swing a golf club for months yet.

The other thing we're left with is a further small glimpse into the complicated, highly-tuned machine-man that is Tiger Woods.

Faldo's question was apt: how could Woods win with only 9 holes of practice, two fractures, a torn anterior cruciate ligament and recent knee surgery?

The answer is simple: Woods tapped into a higher power as do other mere mortals who pull off incredible feats in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The man has overcome his human foibles and weaknesses and has honed his mind to the sharpness of a Samurai's sword and the intensity of a laser beam.

His victory at Torrey Pines is akin to the Indian swami who lies on a bed of nails, feels no pain and arises with no puncture marks on his back.

Woods has conquered himself, plain and simple.