Home Top

I've got no problem with Sterling... I just want to make us better than last year, vows Rodgers as Liverpool are mobbed in Bangkok after agreeing to sell their star player to rivals Man City for £49m
With Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin set to join Manchester United, is this how Van Gaal's side will look when the new season kicks off?
Casillas given Real send-off after Perez begged him to say goodbye
Schneiderlin has Manchester United medical with Van Gaal's £52m deals on brink of completion
Joining United was Schweinsteiger's decision, says Bayern boss Guardiola
LIVE: Transfer news... keep track as United attempt to rubber stamp deals
Sterling to become the most expensive English star ever as Liverpool give Man City permission to talk to rebel
MARTIN SAMUEL: Sterling's recent behaviour should be a warning sign
I wanted new direction says Rodgers as he explains Liverpool sackings
How the transfer record for English players has been broken in the Premier League era as Sterling's £49m takes it to new heights
Manchester City star Demichelis marries former Playboy model in Argentina
Chelsea move for Pedro must wait until after Barca elections with board blocked from making transfers
Pogba is not a priority for Barcelona, says president Bartomeu
QPR to net £9m in 20% sell-on clause from former academy product Sterling's switch to Manchester City
'Anyone talking about loyalty in football needs a reality check!' Rio leads reaction to Sterling's City move
Van Persie mobbed by fans as Man United striker touches down in Istanbul to clinch his £240,000-a-week move to Fenerbahce
With the same trainers in six colours, which Manchester United player is picking his ones for tour to US?
Southampton make £10m bid for Feyenoord midfielder Clasie
Depay: I want to let my feet do the talking at United, but please DON'T compare me to Ronaldo
United begin discussions with Benfica over Gaitan... and Rafael could go in opposite direction, claims agent
I'm the Daddy! Djokovic hails his family life after crushing Federer as Wimbledon champion celebrates SW19 success at gala
Djokovic storms to third Wimbledon title with devastating display to leave Federer's dream of record eighth trophy at SW19 in tatters
MARTIN SAMUEL: Gatecrasher Novak ruins the party in Roger's house
Hamilton BARRED from Royal Box after refusing to wear jacket and tie

Tiger Woods admits 'infidelity' and announces temporary break from golf in public apology

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 05:24 EST, 13 December 2009

View
comments

Taking a break: Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods has publicly apologised for his 'infidelity' and announced he will be taking a break from his professional golf career.

The 33-year-old posted a message on his official website confirming 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.

'I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.'

'I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding.

'What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

'After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

'Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.'

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

Enlarge

The message as it appears on Tiger Woods' official website

Yesterday, Hollywood madam Michelle Braun claimed Tiger spent over £37,000 on call girls.

She says she sent four of her escorts on pay-for-sex dates with the sportsman, who 'liked girl-on-girl. He had sex with them together'.

She added: 'He was rarely with just one girl. He usually wanted more. He liked three-ways. 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.'

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

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

Since news of Tiger's alleged affairs has broken, Jesper has come forward saying he would like to apologise to Elin for ever introducing her to her future husband.

He said: 'I would be especially sad about it – 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.'

It was previously reported that 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.

In happier times: Elin shows her affection for Tiger by kissing him on the cheek at a golf event

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

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 recent news, 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.

Some of the rest of Tiger's sponsors, including Pepsi, Gillette and Proctor and Gamble, were said to have met today to discuss whether they should continue working with Tiger.