ORLANDO, Fla. — Tiger Woods offered a heartfelt apology on his official Web site Wednesday amidst allegations that the world's No. 1 golfer has engaged in multiple affairs.
"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart," the 33-year-old golfer wrote. "I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone."
Woods has been under the microscope ever since a single-car accident outside his Florida home last Friday. The accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods has been having an affair with a New York nightclub manager named Rachel Uchitel.
Jaimee Grubbs, a Los Angeles cocktail waitress, also claims to have had a 31-month fling with Woods in the latest issue of Us Weekly.
While Woods did not address the affair allegations directly, he confessed to being amazed by the tabloid scrutiny since his accident and the rumors of domestic violence surrounding his wife, Elin Nordegren.
"Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means," he said. "For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin 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," continued Woods. "I realize 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."
"Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone," added Woods. "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."
In conclusion, Woods apologized to his fans and vowed to overcome his faults.
"I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves," he said. "For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology."
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