Tiger: 'I am deeply sorry'

STAFF REPORT

In his first televised statement since allegations of adultery emerged during the Thanksgiving 2009 weekend, Tiger Woods apologized Friday morning for his indiscretions and vowed "to start living a life of integrity."

"Every one of you has good reason to be critical of me," Woods began. "I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in."

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Woods spoke for more than 13 minutes Friday morning from the clubhouse at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

"People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. ... Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior," Tiger said. "My real apology to her ... will come from my behavior over time. ... What we say to each other will remain between the two of us.

"I have let you down. And I have let down my fans. ... I'm embarrassed that I have put you in this position."

"It's up to me to start living a life of integrity," Tiger continued. "It's hard to admit that I need help ... but I do. ... I have a long way to go. But I've taken the first steps in the right direction," Tiger added. "I am the one who needs to change."

He also adamantly denied reports that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

"I do plan to return to golf one day," Tiger said. "I just don't know when that day will be."

"Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again," Tiger concluded before hugging his mother, who later said she is "so proud" of her son.

Woods will return to therapy after addressing the media, according to a letter written by PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem to the tour's policy board.

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"As we understand it, Tiger's therapy called for a week's break at this time during which he has spent a few days with his children and then will make his statement before returning," Finchem said in a letter obtained Thursday by the Associated Press. "Accordingly, there was very little flexibility in the date for the announcement."

The PGA confirmed Thursday that Woods left a treatment facility last week.

"This is the time frame that met with his rehab schedule, coming out for a little bit, being with his family for a little bit, doing this, it just worked," Finchem told ABC News.

"He got out of rehab last week, he spent some time with his family and he had some time for this tomorrow, and he'll address the details of that tomorrow. I should leave that to him."

Woods reportedly checked into Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Miss., in January.