Woods promises golfing return "one day"
Tiger Woods promises golfing return "one day"
Friday, 19, Feb 2010 05:22
By Alistair Potter.
Tiger Woods has vowed to return to golf once he has overcome his personal issues, but has stopped short of giving a date for his planned comeback.
Woods addressed a small group of close friends and family that was televised live from Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida on Friday, and publicly apologised for the first time over his well-publicised affairs.
In addition to saying sorry to his friends and family, his wife Elin, his children and his business partners, Woods also said he would return to the sport for which he is famous - but refused to give any indication of the likely timeframe.
"I do plan to return to golf one day but I don't know when that day will be," he said.
"I don't rule out that it will be this year but for now I am focusing on my rehabilitation and my personal life."
Woods is still currently the world's number one golfer, but looks set to lose that ranking this year if he continues to miss tournaments.
However, the American said this was not his current focus - confirming he is still undergoing therapy for his personal problems and has been receiving help for the last 45 days.
"I need to make amends and not repeat the mistakes I have made," he said.
"Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids,"
I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry,"
Woods, who looked close to tears at several points during his 13-minute speech, also gave no indication of the state of his marriage, with many commentators already speculating that divorce is already on the table.
However, the golfer himself said he and Elin were "discussing the damage caused by [his] behaviour" and refused to give any further details as it is a matter "between a husband and wife".