Tiger Woods apologizes for 'irresponsible and selfish behavior'

Tiger Woods has made a public apology for "irresponsible and selfish behavior."

An emotional Woods finally broke his silence on the sex scandal that engulfed him last year.

Also, the 34-year-old confirmed he had been in rehabilitation for 45 days, but didn't reveal details of his treatment.

The no.1 golfer admitted he cheated and had affairs, but called on the media to respect the privacy of his family, reports News.com.au.

"Elin and I have started the process of discussing my behaviour but I know my apology to her will not come in the form of words but in my behaviour over time. We have a lot to discuss and what we do say will remain between the two of us," he said.

Speaking about press, he said: "Please leave my wife and kids alone. They did not do these things, I did."

He also utilized the conference to dismiss reports that his wife had hit him on the night of his car crash last November, saying: "It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night."