Tiger Woods seems to be enjoying life as a father. He goes to all his kids’ soccer games and talks about his children, Charlie and Sam, frequently at press conferences. That’s not to say he’s not facing issues, though: His recurring back injury threatens to keep him out for the entirety of next season, but Woods remains optimistic that he’ll make an eventual return.

USA TODAY‘s Steve DiMeglio spoke to Tiger, who says he spends most his time nowadays being the “best cheerleader I can possibly be” for his kids, all while putting up with these zingers:

So the youngsters were asked a simple question: Would you rather be Lionel Messi on the pitch or Tiger Woods on the golf course?

“Messi,” Sam immediately said with a big smile and a giggle.

“Messi,” the more reserved Charlie said. After a slight pause, the youngest Woods chimed in again.

“He’s playing.”

With that stinger, the elder Woods dropped his head in mock humiliation before cracking a huge smile and laughing out loud.

“Well,” Tiger Woods said, “he’s right.”