In a stunning incident, Tiger Woods has announced he is putting golf on the backburner to try to save his marriage.
In a stunning decision, golf superstar Tiger Woods announced he was putting his game on the backburner to try to save his marriage as he admitted for the first time being unfaithful.
Woods yesterday said he was taking an "indefinite break" from the PGA Tour and apologized, pleading for forgiveness in a statement on his website.
"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 said.
"I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness."
Woods, who has not been seen in public for the past two weeks, has a two-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old son with his wife, Elin.
"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," he added.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said Friday they would not try to rush Wood into returning to the sport.
"His priorities are where they need to be, and we will continue to respect and honor his family's request for privacy," Finchem said. "We look forward to Tiger's return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right for him."
Ten women have been romantically linked to the billionaire golfer, whose private life has come under the glare of public scrutiny since he crashed his car in late November.
Woods was taken to hospital on November 27 after hitting a fire hydrant and a tree, two days after a tabloid reported he was having an affair with New York club hostess Rachel Uchitel.
Woods, who turns 34 on December 30, was first linked to Uchitel, who has denied the affair despite a report on celebrity gossip website TMZ.com that a friend of his flew her to Australia when Woods was there for a tournament.
Cocktail waitress Jamiee Grubbs, 24, played a voicemail, which she claims to be Woods talking, to support her claim they had a 31-month relationship.
Also on a list compiled by FOX News are porn star Holly Sampson, 36; Kalika Moquin, 27, a Las Vegas club manager; model Jamie Jungers, 26; Mindy Lawton, a 33-year-old waitress from Orlando; and three unidentified women, two from British reports and another waitress from Orlando.
"It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try," Woods wrote Friday.
"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."
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