Tiger Woods has issued a statement on his official website, admitting for the first time his recent infidelity and announcing he is to take an indefinite break from golf.
Here is the statement in full:
'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.'
'He concluded: 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.'
Australian player Geoff Ogilvy admitted the news that world number one Tiger Woods is to take an indefinite break from golf was bad for the sport and said: 'Indefinite' is a scary word.'
Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open champion, conceded the news was a big blow to the sport and said: 'I didn't expect that actually so he's obviously got some stuff to sort through.
'Indefinite is a scary word. Just the definition of the word is scary if Tiger Woods indefinitely doesn't play golf that's not good for us but I'm sure he'll get it worked out.'
American golfer John Daly, who has had more than his fair share of turbulent times in his private life, believes the best thing Woods can do is to confess everything on national television.
'It's tough and it's going to be tough on him but if I was him and Elin, I would go to Oprah, get on a show, get this thing aired out, tell the truth.
'And then it doesn't matter what the media says any more because it's all out in the open and it would be a big sigh of relief for both of them.'
Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik, in an interview with ESPN's Outside the Lines programme to be aired in the US on Sunday, spoke again of his disappointment in Woods.
Parnevik introduced Woods to Elin in the first place.
He said: 'I told her this is the guy that I think is everything you want. He's true. He's honest. He has great values. He has everything you would want in a guy. And I was wrong.
'I'm sure she felt very lonely and very small in this whole hoopla and chaos when her whole world was just turned upside down in pretty much 24 hours.
'I was just shocked and pretty much very disappointed in the whole thing and I just really, truly felt for her and the situation she all of a sudden ended up in.'
Woods' main sponsor Nike say they are looking forward to the player's return to golf.
'He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era,' Nike spokeswoman Beth Gast said in a statement.
'We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's full support.'
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