THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — With a public apology, Tiger Woods disclosed his "personal failings" and acknowledged he had "not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves."
He did not mention the allegations of an affair in Wednesday's statement, saying he would deal with "my behavior and personal failings" alone with his family.
His appeal for privacy likely won't close a shocking saga involving one of the biggest names in sport.
Rachel Uchitel, a New York nightclub hostess who has denied having an affair with Woods, had scheduled a Thursday news conference with her attorney in Los Angeles. But attorney Gloria Allred canceled that appearance Thursday morning, citing unforeseen circumstances. She earlier had planned to make a statement about Uchitel's relationship with Woods.
Last week, the National Enquirer published a story alleging the world's No. 1 golfer had been seeing Uchitel, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods won the Australian Masters.
Uchitel denied having an affair with Woods when contacted by The Associated Press.
Woods has faced intense media scrutiny after a car accident outside his home early last Friday morning and sordid allegations of affairs. In a 317-word statement on his Web site Wednesday, Woods acknowledged he had "let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart."
The statement followed an Us Weekly cover story of a Los Angeles waitress claiming she had a 31-month affair with the world's No. 1 golfer. Woods' words were posted three hours after the magazine released a voice mail - provided by the waitress, Jaimee Grubbs - that Woods left on her phone three days before he rammed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and tree outside his Florida home.
"Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions," he said on his Web site. "I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves."
The investigation into Woods' accident ended Tuesday when the Florida Highway Patrol issued a $164 citation for careless driving. The inspection of his personal life is seemingly just beginning.
It is an odd turn for Woods, whose career as a golfer, a pitchman and perhaps the most recognized athlete in the world has been largely without blemish since he turned pro at age 20.
Read more:http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1944650,00.html#ixzz0ZW7EvsOd
What's your reaction to the recent revealing of Tiger Woods' character? Identify 2 or 3 things he should have done to be better prepared for the temptations great leaders are exposed to.
