Golfer Tiger Woods has appeared in his first new television ad since embarrassing revelations about extramarital affairs emerged.
An advertisement for Nike, airing on the eve of Mr Woods's much-anticipated return to competitive golf after a five-month layoff, features a voice recording of the golfer's late father appearing to talk about the golfer's personal woes.
‘I want to find out what your thinking was; I want to find out what your feelings are. Did you learn anything?’ said Earl Woods as a somber-looking Tiger looked directly into the camera.
Mr Woods has acknowledged an adultery scandal, which has seen more than a dozen women claim sexual relationships with the married father-of-two, destroying the image that helped make him the world's first billion-dollar sportsman.
Sponsors had sought to distance themselves from the troubled star as details of his personal life emerged.
But as Mr Woods embarks on his comeback this week, teeing off at Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters, his star-appeal could be too much for firms to shun.
‘We support Tiger and his family. As he returns to competitive golf, the ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father,’ Nike said in a statement.
Nike reportedly paid Mr Woods around $40m a year before the scandal.
The 30-second black and white spot aired on the Golf Channel and ESPN yesterday and was to run until shortly after the star tees-off today.
Coverage of the US Masters on RTÉ.ie/sport
