By ANGELA GREGORY
Tiger Woods likes to joke around, but when he talks golf he is deadly serious.
That's the view formed by Jeremy Smith, a 15-year-old from the Far North who took part in a group coaching session with Woods at Paraparaumu College yesterday.
Jeremy told the Herald last night that he was thrilled to spend time with the golfing giant.
"He's just a normal person really, fun to be around and made lots of jokes ... but he was quite serious at times."
Jeremy attended the session with 35 other New Zealand teenagers. They spent 1 1/2 hours watching Woods and taking a swing themselves.
Jeremy said Woods gave no individual feedback, instead encouraging the group as a whole.
About 800 spectators also followed their progress.
Jeremy was picked to take part by his Kaitaia coach, who is a friend of Woods' New Zealand-born caddie, Steve Williams.
Jeremy, a Kaitaia College student who lives in Ahipara, aims to go professional.
Jeremy started playing when he was 10, and is the best golfer for his age, with an index of 8.3, in Kaitaia.
The Kiwi golfer is chasing the LPGA Tour season title and a huge payday.