I've let you down, says Tiger Woods in apology

With these carefully scripted words, Tiger Woods, this morning spoke for the first time since that car crash one night in November last year.

Have your say on Tiger's apology

"For all that I have done, I am so sorry. I have a lot to atone for," the golfer said in a private conference in Florida this morning.

He spoke to a room full of friends and supporters and hugged his mother Kultida Woods when he finished at about 2.15am (Qld time).

Woods lashed the media for pursuing his wife, children and mother during his silence and said he would never answer questions on any of the multiple infidelities.

Listen to the apology at the PGA's website

He also said he had not set a date to return to competition, but it could be later this year.

As he revisited his behaviour, Woods apologised to everyone he had hurt and betrayed, from his wife Elin and their children, Sam Alexis and Charlie, to his friends, the children in his foundation, his fans and fellow professional golfers.

"I am deeply sorry and ashamed of my behaviour and the things I have done to Elin and my children," he said.

"Elin and I have begun the process of discussing the damage caused by my behaviour. My real apology to her will not come in the form of my words but in the form of my behaviour over time.

"I convinced myself normal rules did not apply to me - I thought I could do anything - I felt entitled.

"My failures have made me look at myself in a way I have never done before. There is a saying, it's not what you achieve it's what you overcome."

The most authoritative sportswriter in America, ESPN's Rick Reilly, said Woods needs to take six months from the tour, skipping both the US Masters in April and US Open in June.

"If he is serious about fixing his marriage, he needs to take six months off," Reilly said.

He added Woods should get rid of his entourage, from caddie Steve Williams to his support staff and management.

"If you were Elin and wanted to trust him, he has to get rid of the entourage. He could not have arranged his trysts by himself."

SPECIAL SECTION: Tiger Woods

TIGER’S WOMEN:

1.  Rachel Uchitel - a VIP hostess who has denied having an affair with Tiger Woods.

2.  Jaimee Grubbs - a 24 year old cocktail waitress who released text messages and a voicemail to confirm her affair with Tiger

3.  Kalika Moquin - is a manager for a Las Vegas nightclub, The Bank.  She has refused to confirm or deny her alleged affair, stating no comment.

4.  Jamie Jungers - Jamie is 26 years old and is a former lingerie model, she spoke about her relationship with Tiger Woods on the Today Show last week.

5.  Mindy Lawton - a 33 year old waitress at a pancake house, Mindy sold her story to the UK publication News of the World.

6.  Cori Rist - is a 31 year old waitress and model who stated that she is a stay at home mom to her 7-year-old son.  Cori Rist appeared on the Today Show where she spoke about her relationship with Tiger Woods

7.  Holly Sampson - Holly Sampson is 36 years old and works in the adult film industry.  She had not publicly confirmed the affair but a video of her speaking about her relationship with Tiger Woods quickly surfaced.  She later stated that she did not have an affair with Tiger Woods when he was married.

8. Joslyn James - is another alleged mistress of Tiger Woods and works in the adult entertainment industry.  Her name surfaced through a report by Deadspin, however, she has not yet confirmed or denied the report.

9. Loredana Jolie - is a former playboy model and told her story to the New York Post.  Her alleged madam, Michelle Braun, stated that Tiger once paid $15,000 for a date with her. She refuted the statement through her attorney and said that though Tiger Woods gave her $15,000 she used the money to buy jewellery, not sex

10. Julie Postle - Julie Postle’s ex boyfriend claims that Tiger Woods dated Julie before he married Elin Nordegren.  Julie Postle has an attorney who replied no comment to the claims.

11. Theresa Rogers - revealed through reports by Radar Online, lives in Wellington, Florida and has hired attorney Gloria Allred.  Allred announced no comment regarding the allegations.

12. Unidentified Mistress - believed to be a former cocktail waitress from Orlando, Florida.  She has hired attorney Micahel O’Quinn and states that she was 20 when the affair began.

13.  Unidentified Mistress - reports state that she is a TV presenter in the U.K. and was single at the time of the affair.  She is now married and has remained anonymous.

14. Unidentified Mistress - a UK report described her as a cougar who is addicted to sex.