Tiger Woods apologises openly for cheating on his wife

The world number one golfer was talking publicly for the first time since the scandal surrounding his private life erupted in late November last year. "I was unfaithful, I had affairs and I cheated. What I did was unacceptable," said the 14-time major winner. The 34-year-old added: "I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation and kids all around the world who admired me." Woods said he did not rule out returning to golf this year but indicated he did not as yet have a date, adding he would be undergoing further therapy for his problems on Saturday. "I do plan to return to golf one day," said the American. "I just don't know when that day will be.




"I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return I need to make my behaviour more respectful to the game." Friday's media event at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in Florida was tightly controlled, with only a few journalists allowed access. Woods spoke for more than 13 minutes, addressing about 40 people in the room, including his mother, friends, colleagues and close associates. His wife, Elin, was not present.

Addressing his personal issues, Woods said: "I am the only person to blame. I stopped living by the core values I was taught to believe in. "I knew my actions were wrong but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting, instead I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries a married couple should live by.

"I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled, thanks to money and fame. I didn't have to go far to find them. "I was wrong and I was foolish." Woods claimed therapy had helped him start to deal with his problems and vowed there would be no repeat of his infidelities. More on BBC