Tiger - I've let my family down - American golfer apologises for "personal sins"
Tiger Woods has admitted letting down his family and regrets "those transgressions with all of my heart."
Woods, the world's number one golfer, released a statement on his official website on Wednesday conceding he "had not been true to my values and the behaviour my family deserves."
The 33-year-old was involved in a one-car accident outside his Florida home in the early hours of November 27 and required hospital treatment for facial lacerations, cuts and bruises.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated, and although Woods was issued with a citation for careless driving, he will not face any criminal charges.
The aftermath of the accident, however, has seen frenzied speculation about Woods' private life.
Statement
"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart," read the 14-time major winner's statement on www.tigerwoods.com.
"I have not been true to my values and the behaviour my family deserves.
"I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behaviour and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.
"Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realise the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives.
A view of the tree which Tiger Woods struck in his Cadillac Escalade during his single car accident in Windermere, Florida November 27, 2009.
"The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin (his wife) has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.
"But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy.
"I realise there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.
Principle
"Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.
"I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology."
The injuries sustained in the car crash prompted Woods to withdraw from this week's Chevron World Challenge, a tournament at Thousand Oaks in California which he was due to host for the 10th year in a row.
Tags: Tiger Woods christmas card, Tiger Woods affairs voicemail, Tiger Woods 10 cheats, Tiger Woods mistress jamie, Tiger Woods text messages, Tiger Woods Car Accident Photos, Tiger Woods Car Accident Videos and Photos, Reason behind Tiger Woods Car Accident, Tiger Woods Car Accident Latest News and Updates
