Apologetic and emotional Woods pleads for forgiveness
Tiger Woods addressed a small and specially invited group near his Florida home
Friday, 19, Feb 2010 05:37
By Alistair Potter.
Golfer Tiger Woods has given an emotional statement confirming he has been in therapy for almost two months over a range of personal issues.
In a 13-minute statement, presented to a group of close friends and selected media at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Woods sought to clear up a number of issues surrounding his private life.
Until this point, speculation has been rife over every area of Woods' existence away from the golf course following his admission of several infidelities against his wife Elin.
However, despite admitting to being in therapy - and vowing to continue receiving help to overcome his failings - he took the opportunity to deny claims of violence in his marriage and chastise the media for harassing his family, including his two children.
Analysis: "Too little too late Tiger"
"For all that I have done I am so sorry. I have a lot to atone for," he said.
"One thing I want to discuss is the speculation that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night.
"I want to say now - there has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage. Elin never hit me."
In his address, Woods said he is "truly sorry" for his "irresponsible, selfish, and foolish actions" but refused to reveal any more details, saying it is a matter for discussion "between a husband and wife".
"Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage of my behaviour," he said.
"She has conducted herself with enormous poise throughout and I have stopped living by the core values I held dear."
The world number one added: "I have let you down and I've let down my fans.
"My behaviour has been a personal disappointment for my friends and my business partners.
"I was unfaithful, I had affairs, I cheated. What I did is not acceptable and I am the only person to blame."
Woods promised to continue giving his support to his youth programmes across the country.
But for now he has said he will continue focusing on correcting the issues in his personal life by before a possible return to the professional tour, where his problems began.
"I felt I was entitled to all the temptations and thanks to money and fame I didn't have to go far to find them," said Woods, who confirmed he has been receiving professional help for 45 days so far.
"It is now up to me to start living a life of integrity. I have a long way to go but I have taken my first steps in the right direction.
"I will continue to receive help - starting tomorrow I will leave for more treatment and more therapy."
A clearly emotional and broken Woods ended with a final plea, in which he asked his family and friends to forgive his indiscretions and one day begin to trust in him again.
"I hope you find it in your heart to one day believe in me again," he added.