Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Tiger Woods: 'I had affairs, I cheated'

   VOA News 19 February 2010
   Tiger  Woods  makes  a statement at the Sawgrass Players Club in Ponte
   Vedra Beach, Fla., 19 Feb 2010

Photo: AP

   Tiger  Woods  makes  a statement at the Sawgrass Players Club in Ponte
   Vedra Beach, Fla., 19 Feb 2010

   The  world's  top-ranked  professional golfer, Tiger Woods, has made a
   public apology for having extramarital affairs.
   A  visibly  emotional  Woods  said, "for all I have done, I am sorry."
   The  34-year-old American athlete made a televised statement Friday to
   apologize  to  his  family, fans, fellow players and business partners
   for what he called his "selfish and irresponsible behavior."
   He  said  he wants his marriage and family life to remain private, but
   acknowledged:  "I  had  affairs, I cheated."  He spoke of his Buddhist
   upbringing  by  his  mother, and said he had fallen away from the core
   values of his faith.
   Woods  said he plans to return to golf, but did not know when. He said
   he would not rule out returning to the PGA Tour later this year. Woods
   plans  to  return  Saturday  to the rehabilitation center where he has
   been receiving therapy and treatment since December.
   At the end of his remarks Friday, Woods said he would never repeat the
   mistakes  he  has made, and he asked all those he has disappointed and
   hurt  to,  in  his  words,  "find it in their hearts to believe in him
   again."
   Woods  denied  reports  of domestic violence in his marriage and other
   stories  he said were fabricated about his family.  He asked the media
   to leave his wife and children alone.
   Woods  made  his  statement  at the clubhouse of the TPC Sawgrass golf
   course  in  Ponte  Vedra  Beach, Florida, attended by a small group of
   friends   and   family,   including  his  mother  and  U.S.  PGA  Tour
   commissioner  Tim  Finchem.  Only three pre-selected reporters were in
   the room, and Woods did not take any questions.
   The  appearance  came during the first big golf event of the year, the
   Accenture  Match  Play Championship in Marana, Arizona.  Accenture was
   the  first  sponsor  to  drop  Woods when the scandal first broke last
   year.

.