An emotional Tiger Woods has apologised for his "irresponsible and selfish behaviour" and revealed he is uncertain when he will return to competitive golf.
Speaking to a selected gathering of friends, family, acquaintances and media at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, a solemn and shaky-looking Woods made a 13-and-a-half-minute statement in which admitted to and apologised for a series of extra-marital affairs.
He went on to reveal he had been seeking treatment and therapy since the end of December and added that the process would continue from Saturday.
He also repeatedly asked for forgiveness for his actions and made wide-ranging apologies to his wife Elin, family, those in the room, his fans and his business partners amongst others.
However, perhaps most significantly, the world number one refused to confirm when he intended to return to the professional game, acknowledging it might not even be in 2010.
He stated: "I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be. I don't rule out that it will be this year."
Of his infidelity, he said: "I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behaviour. Every one of you has good reason to be critical of me.
"I am also aware of the pain my behaviour has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down. I have let my fans down.
"I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. I stopped living by the core values I believed in.
"What I did was unacceptable and I am the only person to blame. I never thought about who I was hurting, instead I thought only about myself.
"I was wrong, I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. I brought this shame on myself.
"I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation and kids all around the world who admired me.
"For all that I have done. I am so sorry. I have a lot to atone for. It's up to me to start living a life of integrity.
"I recognise I have brought this on myself and I know above all, I am the one who needs to change.
"It is hard to admit that I need help but I do. For 45 days since the end of December to early February I was in in-patient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I am facing.
"I have a long way to go but have taken the first steps in the right direction."
"I have a lot of work to do and I intend to do it. As I move forward I will continue to seek help."
Whilst apologetic, Woods also hit out at the media for intrusion in his family's life and also rubbished reports that circulated following the crash outside his Florida home on November 27.
It had been speculated that his wife Elin had attacked him with a golf club, causing the crash, but the American flatly denied those reports, adding: "There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal."
Woods, who had been the target of criticism from some players at this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play, also expressed his gratitude to Accenture (one of his former sponsors) and those competing in Arizona for understanding the timing of statement.
He added that he was hopeful he would one day return to compete with them and thanked them for their continued patience during his absence from the game.
The 34-year-old concluded by saying: "I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again," before going to hug his mother who was sat in the front row of the assembled guests.
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