An apologetic Tiger Woods appeared in front a group of selected reporters, friends and family members on Friday and said he was sorry for what he called "an irresponsible and selfish behavior" for the sex scandal he has been involved since it was first revealed in November 2009.
“For all I have done, I’m very sorry,” Woods said in front of his mother Kultida inside the TPC Sawgrass, home of the PGA Tour. “I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was unacceptable and I’m the only person to blame.”
Woods, who said he was in therapy from mid-December to early February to “receive guidance for the issues I’m facing,” said he doesn’t know when he’ll be back to the golf course. However he did not rule out a possible comeback in 2010.
“I don't rule out that it will be this year,” Woods said standing alone in front of a lectern. “When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game.”
Woods’ wife, Elin, did not attend the event.
Here’s the transcript of Tiger Woods statement, which lasted 14 minutes.
“Good morning, and thank you for joining me. Many of you in this room are my friends. Many of you in this room know me. Many of you have cheered for me or you've worked with me or you've supported me.
“Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.
“I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say.
“Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.
“I am also aware of the pain my behavior has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally. My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners.
“To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever
