More woe for Tiger Woods as major sponsor distances itself from him after 'group sex' claims

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 12:45 EST, 12 December 2009

A major sponsor appeared to be distancing itself from golfer Tiger Woods tonight after he admitted infidelity and said he was taking an 'indefinite break' from professional golf.

Gillette said it would be "limiting his role" in marketing to "support his desire for privacy".

It said in a statement: 'In the midst of a difficult and unfortunate situation, we respect the action Tiger is taking to restore the trust of his family, friends and fans.

'We fully support him stepping back from his professional career and taking the time he needs to do what matters most.

'We wish him and his family the best.'

Woods last night admitted he was a love cheat as he announced he was taking an 'indefinite break' from golf.

Tiger with Elin. In his website statement he declared he would be taking 'an indefinite break from professional golf' in order to focus on 'being a better husband, father, and person'

In a message posted on his website  the 33-year-old confirmed his affairs and admitted he is 'profoundly sorry' for the hurt he has caused wife Elin Nordegren.

Tiger, who previously had only referred to 'transgressions', wrote: 'I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children.'

He went on that he would be taking 'an indefinite break from professional golf' in order to focus on 'being a better husband, father, and person'.

The announcement came as he was accused of spending tens of thousands of pounds on high-priced escort girls when he was away from home playing in golf tournaments.

The shamed golfer reportedly sometimes bedded two at a time, according to a notorious Hollywood madam, who claimed she knew he had paid around £37,000 for call girls.

Michelle Braun told the New York Post she sent at least four escorts on pay-for-sex dates with the married father-of-two six times in 2006 and 2007.

'He liked girl on girl. He had sex with them together,' she said.

She added: 'He was rarely with just one girl. He usually wanted more. He could go for days.

'He would pay a flat rate for an evening, but an evening would usually be extended. The girls would always talk about his stamina.'

Enlarge  

The message as it appears on Tiger Woods' official website

Indiscretions: Tiger is alleged to have slept with, clockwise from top left, Jaimee Grubbs, Holly Sampson, Jamie Jungers, Mindy Lawton, Loredana Jolie, Rachel Uchitel, Kalika Moquin and Cori Rist

The tawdry new twist in the cheating scandal came as a lingerie model named as one of Woods's mistresses confirmed they had a two-year affair, but insisted: 'I got nothing out of this relationship but a broken heart.'

Tiger, who has two young children with wife Elin, has been at the centre of a media storm after 11 women came forward claiming to have had affairs with him.

Speculation over Tiger's private life began after a bizarre car crash outside his house a fortnight ago.

The golfer was left unconscious and bleeding following the crash in which he hit a fire hydrant and a neighbour's tree following a reported 2am argument with Elin, a former Swedish model.

It was later claimed Tiger was admitted to hospital with a suspected drugs overdose after the crash.

Elin is said to have given paramedics two bottles of drugs Ambien and Vicodin as they travelled to the hospital.

There has been no shortage of drama at the Woods house.

Tiger's mother-in-law Barbro Holmberg was then rushed to hospital last week after a reported anxiety attack following an argument with the sportsman over his alleged affairs.

Tiger and Elin, who were introduced by Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik at the Open Championship in 2001, married in Barbados in October 2004.

Last week Jesper spoke about Tiger's behaviour: 'I really feel sorry for Elin – since me and my wife were at fault for hooking her up with him.

'We probably thought he was a better guy than he is. I would probably need to apologise to her.'

Earlier this week it was claimed Elin had given Tiger an ultimatum, and told him to choose either her or golf.

She was said to be prepared to give their relationship another go if he gave up his beloved game.

Tiger poses with wife Elin, daughter Sam, son Charlie and dogs Yogi (left) and Taz in this family shot taken in February

A moving truck was seen leaving the marital home in Windermere, Florida, packed with boxes

It was also reported that Tiger was keen to try and get things back on track with Erin by taking her away on a trip on their $22million yacht, ironically called Privacy.

However, photographs of a moving truck leaving the marital home packed with five or six large boxes has fuelled rumours that the couple are taking a break from each other.

Elin has been living at the £1.7million mansion in Windermere, Florida, with the couple's children for the past two weeks, but Tiger has not been seen at the property. It is believed he is staying somewhere nearby.

Meanwhile, Tiger's recent problems have started to affect some of his professional relationships.

While Gatorade said their decision to discontinue their soft drink Tiger Focus recently had nothing to do with the revelations, another of his sponsors Accenture have made the decision to remove a picture of Tiger with caption 'It's what you do next that counts' from their website homepage.

Other sponsors, including Pepsi, Gillette and Proctor and Gamble, were said to be meeting to discuss whether they should continue working with Tiger.