Tiger Woods said Friday he would take an indefinite break from professional golf, admitting he cheated on his wife and bowing to the pressure of two weeks of frenzied media scrutiny of his private life. The world's No. 1 golfer made the stunning announcement in his latest posting on his website in which he confessed “infidelity” for the first time, said he was sorry and asked his family, friends and supporters for forgiveness. His previous perfectionist image was a magnet for lucrative sports sponsorships and endorsements, and according to Forbes magazine, he was the first athlete to earn $1 billion, making him one of the world's wealthiest sports figures. “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,” Woods said. “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,” he added. The announcement by the greatest golfer of his generation left the world of professional golf reeling, although his closest collaborators expressed understanding. “The entirety of someone's life is more important than just a professional career. What matters most is a young family that is trying to cope with difficult life issues in a secluded and caring way. Whenever Tiger may return to the game should be on the family's terms alone,” his agent and friend Mark Steinberg said. Although Woods' major commercial backers and sponsors - which include PepsiCo's Gatorade, Procter & Gamble's Gillette, Electronic Arts and Nike - have up to now stood by him, Steinberg acknowledged the golfer's announcement could affect his business relationships. One company, AT&T, said it supported Woods' decision and “our thoughts will be with him and his family”. But it added, “We are presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him.” As the scandal over his private life unraveled, more and more US and British tabloid newspapers and media websites published comments from and photos of a parade of between eight to 12 women, including cocktail waitresses and adult-movie stars, who claimed relationships with Woods. The media scrutiny prompted Woods to seek and obtain a British court order banning publication in Britain of any photos or video showing him nude or having sex. A letter from the lawyers accompanying the injunction contains a statement that “this Order is not to be taken as an admission that any such photographs exist.” Some media outlets have speculated Woods and his family may try to escape the glare of public attention by going on a cruise in his luxury motor yacht, or moving to Sweden, his wife's home country.
