3 Dec 2009

Tiger Woods apologises for 'transgressions'

6:56 am on 3 December 2009

Tiger Woods has issued a new statement on his car crash last weekend and speculation over his private life in which he apologised to his family for "transgressions".

Woods, the world's number one golfer and a married father of two young children, said in a statement published on his website that he had "not been true to my values and the behaviour my family deserves," though he did not directly address allegations of infidelity.

"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart," he said.

Woods suffered facial cuts and bruises when he ran his Cadillac SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree while pulling out of the driveway of his home in Windermere, Florida about 2am last Friday.

The time of the accident and Woods' refusal to meet with police to answer questions about it triggered a storm of media speculation, during which some outlets reported that he had extra-marital relationships with at least two women.

The Florida Highway Patrol closed its investigation into the accident on Tuesday and issued a traffic ticket to Woods for careless driving, saying the accident was his fault but that no criminal charges would be brought.

It said there were no claims of domestic violence made during its investigation. Some media reports had speculated that the accident followed a dispute in the Woods household.

In his web posting on Wednesday, Woods called "utterly false and malicious" reports that physical violence played any role in his car accident.

He said his Swedish wife Elin Nordegren "has always done more to support our family and shown more grace" than anyone could possibly expect.

"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," the golfer said in his statement.